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Home Tech You are packing your carry-on luggage wrong. Here’s how to do it right

You are packing your carry-on luggage wrong. Here’s how to do it right

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You are packing your carry-on luggage wrong. Here's how to do it right

is a common mistake. When you pack for a trip, you put everything in your carry-on bag in a way that appears methodical and organized. But the more the bag fills, the panic sets in and you realize you won’t have enough room to fit everything. Once you stop to consider your options, you can clearly see that your packing job is not at all sensible, but rather a masterclass in completely unhinged chaos.

Properly packing your carry-on luggage involves a combination of technique, economics and smart planning. Follow these tips to fit everything you need (and nothing you don’t) in that bag or suitcase.

Do the math

Take out everything you think you need for the trip and then get rid of half. You really won’t need all of those clothes. If that sounds extreme, try this: bring two tops and one pair of pants for every three days of your trip. But underwear and socks for every day.

Imagine me rolling

Don’t pack your clothes folded. Rolling it all up and placing it vertically in your carry-on will save you a lot of space and will also keep your shirts from getting wrinkled. This is not a trick; This is essential.

You may have heard of the KonMari group. This is the laundry folding method popularized by the high priestess of tidy organization, Marie Kondo. Learn it, practice it, live it. Your video tutorial It has more than 6 million visits. (The fold on the long-sleeved shirt will take your breath away!)

People who have served in the military also know a similar trick known as “the army roll.” Both methods work for shirts, pants, underwear, and almost anything that doesn’t need ironing.

Use the wash sink

Carry some concentrated detergent and a travel clothesline with you. So, a little water is all you need to replenish your wardrobe. This tip is essential for reducing the number of clothes you need to pack for longer trips.

For detergent, Sink Suds is pretty good and TSA safe ($15 on Amazon). Of course, there’s always old Dr. Bronner’s unscented soap ($3 on Amazon), which can be used on your clothes, your body, or anything that needs a wash. We really like this clothesline for travel and camping. From the sea to the summit ($15, too) on Amazon). It uses a clever beading system on the rope to provide tension and hold wet items without clothespins.

Kills wrinkles

Pro tip: If it doesn’t smell, it’s clean. Fool everyone with a couple of splashes of Gentle wrinkle release ($8). Frequent travelers will find that this two-pack of travel-sized bottles will last them a year. It has a “fresh linen scent” that’s not too off-putting, but if you’re sensitive to scented things, try Begley’s 3-in-1 spray ($8 on Amazon).

Cape, Cape, Cape

Don’t think about clothes, think about combinations. Mix and match tops and bottoms to get more out of everything. Light jackets, scarves and original ties will keep you cool and your suitcase empty.

For winter trips, consider packing a base layer instead of sweaters, sweatshirts, and fleeces. A cozy second skin will keep you just as warm and take up much less space in that bag. In addition, merino wool, the material from which these wonders are most commonly spun, is naturally odor resistant and can be used throughout the trip. (Well, maybe wash it once; wool dries quickly too.)

Keep a bag for small things

Go to a pharmacy and buy the essentials: shampoo, toothpaste, Advil, lip balm, deodorant. Put it all in a small bag, throw it in your luggage and forget about it until you need it. You will need it.

You have literally millions of options for small totes and zipper bags (not literally), but we love small bags made from recycled sailcloth. They are resistant to all appearances and, in addition, ecological. Revelations $22 bags They are cute. These $20 bags of Agavealso recycled, they are equally great.

Vacuum your closet

If you can’t bring less, at least bring out the Shrink-o-matic. Buy a bunch of bags, throw away your clothes, and suck out all the air with a pump or vacuum cleaner. Place your paper-thin packages directly into your bag. Give them a minute to re-inflate on the other side, then hang your items to let any wrinkles fall out.

Just know that if you are going to load your suitcase with a bunch of vacuum sealed bags, it will end up being heavier. Be sure to check your airline’s weight limits for carry-on luggage.

Prepare offline mode

Physical books are beautiful, but they have no place in carry-on luggage. Go completely digital to transport a lot of knowledge while reclaiming a lot of space.

Before you hit the road, hit download. Kindle books, of course, but also a dozen podcasts, a few Spotify playlists, an offline movie or two on Netflix or Amazon. There’s nothing worse than switching to airplane mode and discovering that your phone is suddenly useless.

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