Ask Erin: My Top 20 Travel Hacks

by Erin Sharplin Love

Have you already made your spring and summer travel plans? My family and I are still in the process of deciding where we will go this year. Right now, we are debating on the typical road trips to a beach or to Branson. I will keep you updated! In the meantime, although I love to travel, I tend to procrastinate when it comes to packing and then unpacking . But thankfully, I discovered a few travel and packing secrets that make the tasks so much easier! Now I am a packing queen and often get asked to help clients, too. I would love to share these time-saving tips with you:

• Utilize packing cubes. In any and every organizing job I do, my main goal is to compartmentalize. Not only does it make finding a particular item easier, it is also aesthetically pleasing. Use this same trick by compartmentalizing your suitcase. I like to use packing cubes (varying sizes of zip-top bags) for this purpose. You can compartmentalize by item, by day, by outfit, etc.
• Shoes are prime real estate! Don’t neglect to take advantage of the storage space INSIDE you shoes. I like to put items that are breakable– like perfume– into shoes, but you can put absolutely anything inside of them to save space – socks, underwear, sunglasses, etc.
• Prevent bottles from leaking their contents. Take the top off of each bottle, cut a small piece of Saran Wrap, place it over the hole, and put the top back on. The Saran Wrap provides a barrier, so the liquid will not leak out. This tip is especially helpful when it comes to air travel, because the changes in air pressure often cause liquid to expand and leak all over our suitcases!! Ugh!
• Stick to a color scheme. When you are deciding what clothing to bring on your trip, I suggest that you stick to a color scheme that mixes and matches well together. For instance, instead of packing both black and brown boots or silver and gold jewelry, choose outfits that will work with one or the other. This will reduce the number of items in your suitcase immensely!
• Roll instead of folding. I am sure you have heard this before, but it actually works, if it is done correctly. The trick is to roll and place- not roll and squish – and layer properly. Place items in your suitcase with heaviest items on the bottom and lightest toward the top. For instance, you wouldn’t roll a blouse and then place a pair of jeans on top of it. The jean will go first. If you have thin or delicate pieces that wrinkle fairly easily, lay a few sheets of tissue paper on top of the item and roll the tissue up into it.
• Preplanning is a necessity. How many times have you packed too many shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, etc., because you had no idea what you were going to want to wear? That is a BAD way to pack. Not only are you using up valuable packing space needlessly, but if you are not planning your outfits based on your itinerary, you will undoubtedly leave something out.
• What does the hotel provide? Check to see what the hotel provides before you leave. Most often they provide more than you think – hairdryer, lotion, beach towels, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, etc. You can then leave those items at home and save room for purchases you make during your get-away!
• Bring a pop-up laundry bin if you are on a driving trip and have room. These come in so handy for keeping the hotel room straight and for keeping your clean clothes separate from your dirty clothes. Plus when you get home, you will easily be able to place the dirty laundry near your washer and dryer.
• Bring reusable bags. I love the ones that roll up into a little ball and take up very little space inside of your suitcase or purse. These reusable bags are great for shopping, etc.
• Ditch the large shoulder bag. Get a smaller cross-body bag, so your valuables will be close and your shoulders will be happy.
• Don’t forget disinfecting wipes. I like to wipe down most of the hotel room with disinfecting wipes, as soon as I arrive. Carry them also for anything else that you will be touching throughout your trip. Become intentional about protecting your health, as well as that of your family.
• Use an oven mitt for protection from your styling tools. Instead of waiting for your iron to cool before packing it, just insert it into an oven mitt and finish packing early!
• A pill box can be used for so much more than just pills. Use these space-savers for earrings, hair bands, snacks, mints, etc.
• Separate outfits into Ziploc baggies. This is especially helpful for traveling with kids! I suggest pulling together everything that constitutes an outfit (top, bottom, socks, shoes, hat, jewelry, hair accessories, underwear, etc.) and packing it all together into one Ziploc bag. Then all you have to do is grab and go for a quick and easy way to make it out of the door on time.
• Always wear your bulkiest items. Instead of packing your heavy boots, jeans and sweater, wear them during the traveling process.
• Utilize a carabiner clip. I like to use a carabiner clip to attach items to my suitcase or carryon, such as an umbrella, small bag, toy, phone, etc. – obviously do this only on bags that will be with you at all times or ones that will be not be loaded in the belly of the airplane.
• Bring snacks and drinks. To save myself money on room service or expensive restaurants for breakfast, I always pack granola bars and small bottles of water. Then I enjoy a quick, inexpensive breakfast before heading out the door to sightsee or shop. You can also slip in a few small bags of nuts, Chex Mix, or some other small snack to derail yourself from purchasing the expensive items from the snack bar in your hotel room
• Keep bad odors at bay by using dryer sheets. I love the scent of freshly laundered sheets, clothes, etc., so I add dryer sheets or sachets to my suitcase when traveling. You can also add dryer sheets under the covers of your hotel bed and between the towels. Just remove them when used and replace when not in use.
• Place shoes heel to toe. I’m sure you have noticed that this is the way companies fill shoe boxes, and I often place shoes heel to toe when I am organizing a closet. This tip is a space-saving one!
• Stuff your hats. If you are bringing a hat with you, stuff it with an item of clothing or a small bag and make sure to place it at the top of the suitcase. This will help retain its shape.

So, where are you going this summer? Please share your packing tips and tricks with me! Send them to erinlove@panachebyerin.com.