10 Top Tips for Holiday Packing
Are you counting down the days yet? The summer holidays are here and when many of will be planning a holiday, be it to a far flung country or a staycation somewhere closer to home.
Wherever you choose to holiday, packing will form an essential part of your trip. And, by taking on board a few handy hacks, you could be saving yourself any awkwardness at the airport or on arrival to your destination - whether it is having to pay for excess baggage, forgetting much-love items or, worse still, packing lots of items you never actually use!
With all this in mind, below we have listed top 10 packing hacks to help you nail your holiday packing this year.
1) Weigh your bags
When flying, most travellers now weigh their luggage at home using a portable luggage scale, to ensure luggage is within the airline’s assigned baggage allowance and to avoid any surprise costs at the airport. investing in one of these handy devices could save you much-needed cash for your holiday. Amazon has a few reasonably priced weighing scales to choose from.
2) Make a list
We all have good intentions to pack everything for our holiday but there always seems to be one item that fails to make its way into our luggage, be it an essential toothbrush, hairdryer or phone charger. To avoid forgetting any essential items, write a list or, better still, record a voice memo and play it back when packing, to ensure you have everything you need.
3) Roll, not fold
If it is more space you are looking for when packing, then rolling rather than folding items often frees up some much-needed space. Many travellers also attest to items being less creased when they are rolled (an added bonus if you ask us!).
4) Keep clothes fresh
To save on unnecessary washing whilst away, place a tumble dryer sheet between packed clothes to keep them fresh and clean. If you do need to wash clothes whilst away then fill an empty soft drink bottle with washing powder and take it with you.
5) A Shower Cap Cover
A shower cap is a great protective cover for clean or dirty shoes being packed. Not only is it super handy but also a cost-effective way to keep shoes away from other items in your case.
6) Use your shoes
When packing items in your bag, make sure to use the inside of your shoes to store items and make use of every bit of space. Shoes can be great for storing items such as socks or underwear that can be easily stuffed inside.
7) Reusable bags
It is always a good idea to bring reusable bags for dirty laundry or any new items you would like to keep separate from other items in your luggage. What’s more, these do come in handy for carrying items to the beach or doing any shopping when you are away.
8) Go lightweight
It pays to have a lighter case when travelling to keep luggage weight to a minimum when flying, and to ensure you have more boot space should you be holidaying closer to home. There are plenty of good brands that offer lightweight cases at an affordable cost. Which? provides a list of recommended lightweight suitcases and cabin luggage if you are on the lookout for something lighter.
9) Cover razors
There is nothing worse than getting your fingers cut by a razor left idle in a toiletries bag or suitcase. To avoid any unnecessary cuts, pop a binder clip over the razor and keep all hands safe from harm.
10) Cling film + toiletries
Placing cling film between the top of any toiletries bottles and lids will avoid any major leakage in your luggage. Beauty Department has a useful guide for making sure your liquids are secure.
Have you any handy packing hacks to share?
Share your favourite packing hacks with us on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #SmarterLiving and we will share the best ones.
