How to Use packing cubes to save space and Do Less Laundry
Traveling MidLife finding bargains and luxuries in equal measure!
I’m a pilot’s wife sharing all things travel & filling this second act sharing all the tips, fashion, safety to make your next trip better than the last!
💖Andrea
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packing cubes are Spanx for the suitcase | We Squeeze It All In
Th secret to traveling with a carry-on bag isn’t what to pack, it’s the HOW to pack. And, I’m letting it outta the bag 😉
How to use packing cubes to stuff just a fewwww more pieces {usually shoes, mostly shoes for me actually}.
If you like fashion, love shoes, and need mix-n-match choices when you travel then you’ll also appreciate my Spanx approach to packing with cubes. I’m not an official partner with Spanx on this idea, but maybe I should pitch it to management! 🤩
Traveling with only a carry-on suitcase, which is the best way to get extra hours into your trip by skipping the baggage carousel and get to the good stuff!
When you squeeze each outfit into a cube and zip it up you’ll have everything planned and ready to wear once you arrive. Spanx leggings, pants, and jeans are the quintessential bottoms for compressing more into a smaller space.
It’s a squeeze-it & forget-it way to pack for every trip from this post forward!
packing cube genius | organize my life
…and keep my dirties separate from my cleans on the way home
How do you Pack your suitcase?
Pack each outfit together so you can grab, dress & go
Pack in categories to mix-n-match outfit pieces {shirts, pants, bras & panties}
Countdown packing:: 5-4-3-2-1 Method
What is this word, “organize” that you keep typing?
With or without packing cubes organizing your suitcase saves oodles of time. That’s more time relaxing, hiking, wining, dining, and walking in circles through the Colosseum in Rome.
How to use packing cubes outfit-style
I used to pack this way so I could be dressed and ready before the kids were up. Because we all know when the Littles wake they are ready to run for the fun on a trip.
If you like to pack this way then you’re packing your trip pieces head-to-toe, laying them out, and roll-um together. Using the packing cubes you have a cube for each days outfit. Viola!
When you arrive at your Airbnb or hotel you have a cube for each day laid out and ready. Grab a glass of wine, your latest book and relax on the patio.
Packing Tip::
Rolling your clothes instead of folding, or scrunching in a ball {my son’s method of madness}, uses less space in your suitcase.
With or without packing cubes.
Packing cubes in categories
This is my preferred packing cube organization since my Little’s aren’t little anymore and I can decide that morning what I feel like wearing.
I layout all the days + a one extra in tops, bottoms, shoes, scarves, socks, panties, bras, and accessories and pack each category in a cube. All the pieces I’ve packed are interchangeable so I can mix-n-match for any changes, or flashes {those hormone flash attacks}.
Here’s a Reel look of a recent packing of outfits.
Pack solid bottoms and use your shirts + scarves to add the pop of color and change up your outfits.
keep it tidy | why to use packing cubes
When you use packing cubes you’ll keep everything neat-n-tidy on your vacation and it solves that strange phenomenon of,
“How did my clothes grow and my suitcase turn into a shrinky-dink on this trip?”
Roll all the dirty up and put into your biggest cube {no tidiness required this time ;) }
Use one cube as your laundry bag and when you’re home drop it in the laundry room {unpacking dream}
the Down and dirty using packing cubes
Re-packing with cubes for the trip home saves you that dreaded unpacking time because you’ve dropped outfits into the laundry bag/cube, shoes are in their cube, and ditto for toiletries.
Each bag is dropped into place and not going back and forth distributing your suitcase contents one-by-one.
Packing cubes vs compression cubes
If you’re just starting out with packing cubes go with easy packing and buy non-compression. But if you pack for Winter trips as if you’re going to Mount Everest, use the compression cubes.
Compression cubes can be tricky and hard to compress {you’re using zippers to compress your clothes}, but great for Winter packing or if you happen to buy a new outfit, or three, on trips.
Stuff it
Squeeze it
Sit your tush on top, and starting zipping.
Packing Tip::
The packing cubes are made of light-weight material that easily form around their contents so you’ll need to lay or roll your clothes into the cube to avoid your packing cube shaping up to a football when you zip up.
Fun to throw, but how many footballs can you fit into a suit case?
What packing cubes to buy
Eagle Creek Kit - If you want to dip your toe into this space-saving pond
Water Resistant Cube Set - Best set if things might get messy on your trip
Bagail Savvy Starter Set - Savvy starter set {under $25 + have the mesh see-through top}
Compression Cube - If you’re an over-packer {raising my hand}, a compression cube adds priceless real estate
Cute Compression Set 🥰 {I love a cute pattern piece}
Cube Tip::
Buy the cubes with the mesh covering on top for quick peeksy of what’s in each one.
Biddity - Bobbity - fewwwww
Packing is done!
You’re ready for adventure, relaxing, beach life, exploring the alley’s of London…
Related Travel posts to use your new packing cubes::
How about you…an outfit or category kind of packer?
💖xo AndreaWriter of the Traveling MidLife Newsletter
Verified over-packer since 1995
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