Traveling Soon? Tips for Packing Clothes to Avoid Wrinkles

No one wants to be stuck ironing their clothes on vacation–but you will be if you’re not careful about how you pack. Unpacking a suitcase filled with crumpled dress shirts, creased suits, and dresses is one of those not-so-glamorous parts of travel we all like to avoid

So, how do you keep your clothes wrinkle free while they’re crammed in a suitcase? This post teaches you some simple hacks.

Things to Do Beforehand

The way you treat your clothes before they go into your bag sets you up for a much smoother travel experience (and a lot less time fixing wrinkled outfits when you arrive). Let’s go over some simple, effective prep tips to help your clothes survive the trip.

Choose Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics for Key Items

Some fabrics are just naturally better at resisting wrinkles. If you’re trying to keep things simple, consider clothing made from polyester, spandex, or blends designed for travel—they’re known for being more resilient and less prone to creasing. For formalwear and dress shirts, try wrinkle-resistant options whenever possible, which keeps suits and dresses looking sharp straight out of your bag.

Launder and Prep Clothing in Advance

Freshly laundered clothes are less likely to wrinkle in your bag. Make sure everything is washed, pressed, and ready to go before packing. For formalwear, such as suits or dresses, consider a trip to your local dry cleaner for that extra crispness. This also gives you a chance to inspect each item for stains or snags to ensure everything looks as good as new before your trip.

Lay Out Outfits and Plan Layers

Packing only what you need prevents overcrowding, which is often the main cause of wrinkles. Lay out your outfits for each day of your trip, keeping in mind what can be re-worn or paired with other items. As a bonus: packing less means you have room for those extra travel essentials!

Use a Garment Bag for Delicate or High Value Pieces

If you have delicate items or formalwear, a garment bag is your best friend. It provides extra protection by keeping these items flat and free from pressure. Plus, garment bags are easy to hang up when you arrive, helping your pieces stay in their best shape with minimal fuss.

Best Packing Methods for Wrinkle-free Outfits

Different techniques work better for different types of garments, so picking the proper technique helps you avoid that dreaded wrinkled mess. Here are some of the best packing methods, along with the types of clothing for which they work best:

Rolling Method

Rolling is a go-to packing hack because it helps prevent hard creases and makes the most of your bag space. This method works especially well for casual clothes, like T-shirts, jeans, and lightweight fabrics that don’t easily wrinkle. This technique is also great for beach towels and smaller bath towels. Rolling also works for linen pants and casual button-ups, though you may want to roll these items loosely.

How to Roll Pants

• Lay the Pants Flat: Start by laying the pants flat on a clean surface, with the legs aligned and any creases smoothed out.
• Fold in Half Lengthwise: Fold the pants lengthwise so one leg is stacked neatly on top of the other. Make sure the waistband and hems are aligned for an even roll.
• Start Rolling from the Waistband: Begin rolling tightly from the waistband, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go. Roll all the way down to the hems, keeping the roll tight to minimize air pockets and prevent wrinkles.

How to Roll Shirts

• Lay the Shirt Flat and Button It Up: Lay the shirt flat with the front facing up, and button all or at least a few of the buttons to keep the shirt’s shape intact.
• Fold in the Sleeves: Fold each sleeve across the shirt’s body in a natural, smooth line. Avoid hard folds to reduce creasing, especially for dress shirts.
• Fold the Shirt in Half (Optional): For longer shirts, you can fold the shirt in half lengthwise before rolling to make a more compact roll.
• Start Rolling from the Collar Down: Starting from the collar, roll the shirt down tightly, keeping it smooth as you go to avoid wrinkles.

The Bundle Wrapping Method

Bundle wrapping is a unique approach where you layer items around a central core (such as a small bag or pouch) creating a compact bundle. This technique reduces the number of folds per garment, so it’s ideal for items prone to creasing, like jackets, slacks, and blazers. It also works well for formalwear that needs extra care.

How to Bundle Wrap Your Clothes

• Choose a Core Item: This could be a pair of socks, underwear, or a T-shirt. Roll this item tightly, as it will serve as the center of your bundle.
• Layer Larger Items First: Begin with your largest clothing items, such as jackets or pants. Lay them flat, with the heaviest or least wrinkle-prone pieces on the bottom.
• Gradually Add Layers: Continue layering your clothes in order of size, placing each piece flat on top of the previous one. Shirts, sweaters, and blouses should go next, followed by lighter items like T-shirts or tank tops. Position each item so that a portion of it extends beyond the previous layer—this helps keep the bundle balanced and wrinkle free.
• Wrap Around the Core: Place the rolled core item in the center of your layered clothes. Starting with the innermost layer, wrap each item around the core one at a time, smoothing as you go. Work your way through each layer until you have a compact, evenly wrapped bundle.

Folding with Tissue Paper

Placing a piece of tissue paper between folds can keep sharp creases from forming in more delicate fabrics. It’s a simple trick that makes a huge difference for blouses, dress shirts, and lightweight cotton items. This technique also works for formalwear that you can’t risk wrinkling—just be sure to pack it on top of other items or lay it flat in a garment bag.

How to Fold With Tissue Paper

• Gather Tissue Paper: Use soft, uncolored tissue paper to avoid any dye transfer. For each garment, you’ll need a few sheets, depending on its size and folds.
• Lay Out the Garment: Start by laying the garment flat on a clean surface, smoothing out any wrinkles with your hands.
• Place Tissue Paper Inside: Lay a sheet of tissue paper over the garment, covering it fully. For blouses, dress shirts, or lightweight items, you may only need one or two sheets per fold.
• Make the First Fold with Tissue Paper Inside: Fold the garment over the tissue paper, creating a cushion between layers. For instance, fold the sleeves inward over the tissue if you’re folding a shirt.
• Add Tissue Paper Between Each Fold: Continue folding the garment, placing a new sheet of tissue paper between each fold. This creates a soft barrier, preventing sharp creases from forming in the fabric.

Useful Packing Tools and Accessories

Sometimes, even the most careful folding or rolling can’t prevent every crease if your clothes are squished or shifting around during travel. That’s when you need packing tools and accessories to keep your clothing items neatly contained, organized, and protected.

These tools and accessories include:

• Packing Cubes – Packing cubes are fantastic for keeping your clothes organized and compressed, which helps reduce movement (and wrinkles) inside your suitcase. They come in various sizes, so you can separate items by type—shirts in one, pants in another, and so on.
• Garment Bags – For formalwear, suits, leather jackets, or delicate dresses, a garment bag is essential. Unlike regular folding or rolling, garment bags allow you to keep these items flat, which drastically reduces the chance of wrinkles.
• Compression Bags – While not necessarily wrinkle preventing, they help you fit more into your suitcase, so your clothes have enough space to stay wrinkle free. Just be mindful of delicate fabrics—compression bags work best with casual or thicker items that don’t wrinkle as easily.
• Travel Sized Wrinkle Release Spray – Just spray it on the wrinkled area, gently smooth out the fabric, and let it air dry. It’s an easy, quick fix that works especially well on cotton, polyester, and wrinkle-resistant fabrics.
• Mini Steamer – A portable travel steamer is easy to pack and quickly removes stubborn creases from nearly any fabric once you arrive. This is especially helpful for formalwear or clothing made from fabrics that are hard to iron by hand.

Travel Ready and Wrinkle Free – Book Your Professional Dry Cleaning and Laundering at In The Bag Cleaners!

Wrinkled outfits stuffed into your luggage are one of those not-so-glamorous parts of travel. Avoid the hassle and let In The Bag Cleaners take care of your clothes so they’re fresh, crisp, and wrinkle free for the road!

Since December 2000, we’ve proudly served the Wichita market and surrounding communities with top notch laundry and dry cleaning services, and today, we offer the finest care across 12 convenient retail locations.

With family-owned roots and a commitment to excellent customer service, our team is here to make sure you have exactly what you need. Come and see us today!