For every adventure, out of the country or out of town, packing is probably one of the most stressful parts of the journey. As a traveler, you wouldn’t want to pack everything but the kitchen sink and have your luggage be heavier than you. But you also don’t want to regret not packing enough clothes or necessities for your trip—which could be a major source of anxiety for you if you’re traveling with your family.
Fortunately, packing is now much easier thanks to one of the travel industry’s most practical inventions: packing cubes. Available in a variety of sizes, these unassuming fabric containers with zippers allow travelers of all stripes to organize their luggage and include a lot more clothing, toiletries, and other essentials in their baggage allowance. Packing cubes also allow you to sort your things more neatly and ensure that everything is easily accessible inside your suitcase.
Do you have a set of packing cubes with you, but are still at a loss about how to use them efficiently? If so, here are some of the most useful packing cube hacks you may not have tried yet:
Pack by Category
One of the most brilliant ways to utilize packing cubes is to pack items by category. Instead of simply rolling or folding your clothes and tossing them into your suitcase, consider categorizing your items into separate cubes.
You can have a cube for each person if you’re traveling with your partner or kids, or designate cubes for specific types of clothing. Every time you buy women’s leggings, sleepwear for kids, or other travel essentials, make a mental note to compress items of the same type into one specific cube. Another option would be to pack by day, pre-planning your outfits down to the accessories, so that you only need to access one cube every day.
Using packing cubes to categorize your outfits will benefit you in several ways. For one, you’ll have easy access to specific items. That means you don’t have to pull out clothes from your luggage and make a mess just trying to get to the ones that you need. What’s more, this strategy makes packing and unpacking a breeze. It will eliminate the rush during checkout from your hotel or resort, for example.
Lastly, packing cubes minimize wrinkling as long as garments are folded or rolled properly. This saves you time and effort on looking neat, as you don’t have to iron your clothes as often before using them.
Focus on Perfecting the Roll or Fold
There’s an eternal debate ongoing about whether to roll or fold clothes when using packing cubes, but it’s time to settle that once and for all. The truth is that both methods have their merits. Rolling can save space and prevent wrinkles, while folding can keep clothes flat and wrinkle-free.
The secret lies in knowing when to roll and when to fold. For delicate fabrics or bulkier items like sweaters, rolling is your best bet. For dress shirts and pants, folding ensures a crease-free appearance. This way, you can maximize space and keep your clothes looking their best.
In rolling or folding your clothes, you should observe the proper technique to allow you to fit more clothes in one cube. For example, when rolling a sweater, you have to make sure you fold the garment symmetrically for an even roll. Meanwhile, when packing your dress pants, you can fold the pants along the seams. Fold it once crosswise and then lengthwise to make your pants shorter. Finally, roll the folded pants to ensure they won’t crease.
Compress Items Tightly
For those who love to bring as much as possible on their travels, compression packing cubes are game-changers. These cubes come with built-in zippers that allow you to compress the contents even further. This creates extra space in your luggage, which means you can pack more items while keeping everything organized.
Whether you’ll be using them for your family’s winter wardrobe or a collection of souvenirs you’ve picked up along the way, compression cubes are among the best solutions for packing efficiently.
Consider Getting an Assortment of Cube Sizes
Packing cubes actually come in a variety of sizes. Don’t limit yourself to a single size, and consider investing in various sizes to cater to different packing needs.
Larger cubes are ideal for bulky items like jackets or sweaters. Medium-sized cubes work well for shirts and pants, while small cubes are perfect for socks, underwear, and accessories. If you get the right size for each category of items, you’ll truly be able to optimize space and organization within your luggage. This can make your packing experience so much easier overall.
Separate Dirty Laundry Using a Packing Cube
One of the most underrated uses of a packing cube is as a dirty laundry separator. Traveling often means dealing with a mix of clean and soiled clothes. But instead of letting your laundry mingle with your clean outfits, designate a packing cube for your dirty laundry. This keeps things hygienic and prevents any unpleasant odors from spreading. Plus, it saves you the hassle of sorting through your luggage when you return home.
Designate Cubes for First Aid, Tech Gear, and Toiletries
Lastly, packing cubes are versatile enough to organize more than just clothes. You can also designate cubes for other travel essentials. For instance, a cube for first aid supplies will ensure that you’re prepared for any minor mishaps on the road.
Another cube can house your tech gear, from chargers to headphones. When you put this cube in your hand-carry, it can make security checks at the airport a lot smoother.
Finally, a toiletry cube can keep your cosmetics and personal care items neatly organized and spill-free. No more digging through your bag for that elusive toothbrush!
Packing cubes have evolved from simple organizational tools to indispensable assets for travelers. The packing cube hacks explored here add a new dimension to their utility. Using these suggestions, you can maximize the use of these travel essentials and travel solo or with your family with full confidence in how well things will go.