Dubai is a shopper's paradise. And people, whether expats or Emiratis, love shopping. No wonder a massive pile of clothes of all shapes and sorts comes tumbling down when your moving preparations kickstart. Some surveys suggest that a single person can have anywhere between 77 to 150 pieces in their wardrobe. People usually postpone the packing of clothes until the last moment. 

It can play havoc with your plan and spring up unpleasant surprises. Clothes, in particular, can take up a lot of space, and if you are not meticulous, it will be clothes in all the boxes and still some left behind even on the final day. Your moving checklist should necessarily contain a point for “all clothes packed” which you can tick off before moving. Here's how to organize your wardrobe for a stress-free move and re-arrange them back neatly at your new place.

Sorting clothes for a stress free move

Every home has, on average, 4-5 people. If you have additional people, imagine the set of clothes each one will have waiting to be packed. Save yourself from the anxiety of rushing things. Keep your calm and start with sorting out the clothes. It's just the ideal time to give away or discard your unused clothes. Do not cling on to them for the sake of it. There's no point piling up clothes you no longer need. Apply a no-fuss approach. You would be surprised to know how light it feels when you keep some, discard some, and donate the rest. Lesser the clothes to pack, lesser to worry about. Stress free move guaranteed.

Seasonal grouping of clothes

Dubai's climate is pretty static. With little variation; it's mostly summer or summer-like feel except during the winter. So I would recommend two sets if we divide the clothes based on the season. The season-based grouping works best in places with multiple seasons. But even here, in Dubai, you are making things easier for yourself by packing clothes based on summer and winter wear. Let's say you are moving in the summer, so you wouldn't need the winter clothes before winter in Dec- Feb. You can unpack and rearrange your wardrobe neatly as a one-time exercise when at your new place.

Proper luggage utilization

It's best to avoid buying additional luggage just for your clothes. Try to make the most of suitcases, lightweight bags, and trolleys you may no longer be using. They're often handy for movement. Do away with heavy boxes, especially for packing clothes. Duffel bags are good; you can squeeze more clothes into them than suitcases, and they weigh less. 

Also, make the best use of the spaces. Wrap or roll your small garments and tuck them in the small corners. You can also use packing cubes for socks, underwear, and towels. These little tips save last-minute headaches and ensure a stress free move.

Use army roll method

To maximize space utilization, roll instead of fold. It's a super space-saving technique, and don't worry about wrinkles. How to do it:

• Start by laying the t-shirt flat.
• Fold the bottom edge about 3 inches, then fold the sides inward and tuck in the sleeves.
• Roll the shirt tightly from the top (collar) down, and finally, tuck the roll into the folded edge at the bottom to secure it.

This way, you can organize different clothes, including t-shirts, pants, and even towels, making it perfect for travel or packing for movement.

Arrangement of garment boxes

Use garment boxes for expensive or delicate clothes to save from damage or unwanted creases during transit. These boxes come with a hanging rod inside. You can transfer clothes straight from the wardrobe to the box without folding them. Unpacking is even easier. All you need to do is to put it back into the new closet without a wrinkle or cease. You may need only a few of them. Methods explained earlier would take care of the rest. 

Also, when stacking these boxes, never place the heavier ones over the weaker or lighter ones. And it's always good to label them, especially for those you may need soon at your new place.

Small boxes for Shoes

Shoes take up a lot of space unless you are wearing them. They can also get easily damaged during movement. Minor stress is OK, but they wouldn't tolerate long-distance pressure. Use sturdy boxes to keep the shoes in one place. I hope the original boxes are still with you. Pack the shoes into the original cardboard boxes and transfer them into these boxes. Make use of the left-over space by inserting socks. You don't have to look for them frantically afterward.

Proper labeling is a must

Even the sharpest person in the home will need help recollecting which box contains what if labels are missing. Perhaps the most crucial exercise for a stress free move. Play safe. Put in some labor, which saves hours of rummaging and mess. Label every box, from the biggest ones to the tiniest ones. Mention the contents on sticky paper, preferably with a marker, and fix it on the front face or the top. Use color code and make a short index in your notebook so that you don't have to remember everything. You can add details and other icons if specific clothes are meant for some particular room.

Do the laundry

Generally, it's a bad idea to pack dirty clothes unless it's an emergency. If you plan your move, you will have sufficient laundry time. This will save you a lot of time and effort at your new place. You can unpack and start using them or storing them in the wardrobe. Also, due to tight packing, and if it rains, bacteria and fungi may permanently damage soiled clothes during transit, leaving patches, stink, or marks that don't go away. Wash them before your pack them.

Conclusion

Lastly, prepare a packing checklist. It is a time-saver. After you have packed clothes, accessories, shoes, and other things, tick them off from the list. You can be innovative and add to the list I have prepared. Implement these tips and secure your peace of mind with a stress free move. If you do not have time for packing then you can take professional assistance by engaging any UAE based reputed movers and packers.