Travelling for the Holidays? A Dry Cleaner’s Guide to Packing Winter Clothes Without the Bulk

Packing for holiday travel is an art form, especially when winter clothing is involved. Coats, knits, dress clothes for dinners, maybe even a formal piece or two. They take up space, wrinkle easily, and if you are not careful, they can come out of your suitcase smelling like a mix of everything that touched them.

Here is how to pack smarter, lighter, and cleaner for your holiday trips this season.

Start with what should be cleaned before you go

Packing dirty clothes is a fast track to odours, bacteria buildup, and set in stains. Before your trip, give priority to:

• Coats

• Wool or cashmere sweaters

• Holiday outfits

• Dress shirts

• Anything that has been worn multiple times already

A fresh start always makes for a better travel experience.

Fold your winter pieces the right way

Rolling works for some items, but heavy fabrics need structure.

• For sweaters: Fold sleeves inward, then fold in half. This prevents stretching in the shoulders.

• For coats: Turn the coat inside out, fold sleeves together, then fold from bottom to top just once. This reduces bulk while protecting the outside fabric.

• For dress clothes: Use tissue paper between folds to prevent creasing.

  
  

Use packing cubes to reduce bulk

Packing cubes do not actually compress sweaters or coats, but they keep items organized and prevent them from shifting, which reduces wrinkling and keeps outfits fresher.

Keep dirty and clean separate

Bring a breathable laundry bag. Do not stuff worn items into the corners of your suitcase. Fabrics pick up odours fast, especially wool and synthetics.

Give clothes time to breathe when you arrive

The first thing you should do after unpacking is hang everything for twenty minutes. It lets fabrics reset and reduces the need to press or freshen items later.

Travel lighter and smarter

A little preparation makes winter travel feel easier, and your outfits will look much better for it. If you need anything cleaned before or after your trip, we are happy to help.

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💡 There’s always a special on at Maritime Dry Cleaners! Stop by our Bedford Hwy location and ask our friendly staff about this week’s savings. Fresh clothes, fresh homes, and value you can count on.