Life hacks: 6 ways to escape packing struggles

As spring break approaches, one of the best and worst tasks comes to mind— packing. You’re excited because you are going on vacation and you can’t wait to pack all of the amazing outfits you just bought, but you face many struggles along the way. Take advantage of these life hacks to escape the struggles of packing, and you’ll be on your way in no time.

1. Trying to fit nearly your entire closet in your suitcase, but ultimately failing? No problem, simply roll your clothes up.
Say goodbye to sitting on your suitcase to force it closed because this trick will surely solve your packing problem. To maximize the space in your luggage, simply roll your clothes up instead of folding them. “You’ll be surprised by how much more you can fit this way,” Ann Price, senior, said.

2. Prevent the dirty soles of your shoes from contaminating your clothes by sticking them inside a shower cap or plastic bag.
Walking through an airport in flip flops doesn’t sound too appealing in Wisconsin’s typically below freezing temperatures. To avoid frozen feet, pack those sand-covered flip flops or dirty running shoes you want to bring on vacation in a shower cap or plastic bag, and you’ll be set to go. Who said those red Sendik’s bags were only meant to carry groceries? Covering up the soles of your shoes works especially well on the return trip home. You never know what you might step in on a hike through the mountains or stroll through a tropical paradise.

3. Stuff socks and small products inside your shoes.
A foot full of unused space lies in each of your shoes just waiting to be filled. So put that unused space out of misery by stuffing it with socks, shampoo bottles, phone chargers or sunglasses (unless your feet stink; then by all means keep that smell far away from anything placed near your face). When placing products inside your shoes, make sure they won’t burst. If you want to play it safe, put the products in Ziplock bags and then place them inside your shoes. Taking advantage of every inch of space in your suitcase goes a long way.  After all, how else are you going to fit all five of the swimsuits you absolutely can’t leave without?

4. Set delicate items in tissue paper or sheets of plastic wrap.
Fold tissue paper around delicate items, such as perfume bottles or watches to prevent any damage during travel. According to independenttraveler.com, folding delicate garments in and around tissue paper helps prevent crushed clothing. If you are packing any delicate jewelry, such as a necklace, then set it between two sheets of plastic wrap to prevent a tangled nightmare.

5. Use socks to protect your belongings from breaking and creating ugly mishaps.
Slip breakables, such as glass fragrance bottles, into socks before packing them. It never hurts to have a cushion of protection. You can also use socks to prevent ugly mishaps while your belongings toss and turn in your suitcase. According to realsimple.com, slipping socks over coarsely bristled hair brushes can help prevent them from tearing into clothing and creating snags.

6. Lay clothes inside a dry-cleaning bag to avoid wrinkles.
No longer will you experience the pain of placing perfectly ironed clothing into a suitcase only to have it mysteriously come out a wrinkled mess. When packing clothes that easily wrinkle, lay the clothing flat inside a dry-cleaning bag and then fold it as normal. The plastic prevents creases from setting in, which ultimately allows the clothing to maintain its wrinkle-free shape. You can take that iron out of your suitcase now.

Packing for vacation can be a pain, but these hacks help escape some serious struggles you may face along the way. All of your effort put into packing will surely be worth it when you’re finally soaking up the sun at your spring break destination.