15 Packing Tips for Your Summer Trips

By Kerry Nenn, Wide Open Country

Vacation starts tomorrow. You can’t put off packing any longer.

You’ve made the packing list. You’ve gathered your favorite belongings around your suitcase. Now comes the hard part. Getting it all in there. Is this mission impossible? Need some packing tips?

Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a three-week road trip, these packing hacks will help you fit, fold, and fool your suitcase into holding everything you need.

15. Kick the cat out of the bag

Photo: Flickr/Wolfgang Lonien

Even if it’s simply adorable…

Photo: Flickr/ftzdomino

14. Transform straws into tangle savers by stringing necklaces through and clasping

Photo: Roadventures

13. Protect your clothes from dirty shoes by putting each pair in a shower cap

Photo: Lifehacker

12. Stuff your shoes with socks or other small items

Photo: Moon Stars and Paper

No…like this…

Photo: Pinterest

 11. Roll ’em up instead of folding your clothes. You’ll be surprised at the space it saves

Photo: 1mhowto

Plus it helps prevent wrinkles, too.

 10. Keep belts coiled and collars sharp in one easy step

Photo: BuzzFeed

9. Re-purpose mint or gum containers to pack small items like earrings

Photo: Pinterest

This can help you keep track of tiny treasures…and hide them from others.

8. Stop wrinkles with dry cleaning bags

Photo: Swifty

Lay clothing inside the bag, then fold. The plastic prevents permanent creases.

7. Nestle q-tips in an empty medicine bottle

Photo: Stylist

6. Use a contact lens case to hold just enough lotion or makeup for a short trip

Photo: Flickr/Lenore Edman

5. Seal your leakables with plastic wrap

Photo: Lifehacker

4. Create a mini-pharmacy out of an old glasses case

Photo: Pixabay

Allergy pills. Stomach meds. Cold capsules. Whatever you might need. Take one or two instead of the whole box of each. As long as you can still identify what’s what!

3. Cozy your breakables inside your socks

Photo: Kerry Nenn

Just be careful when you go to put them on.

1. Keep the contents of your crammed case fresh by adding a dryer sheet

2. Download a novel or two and leave the bulky books behind

Photo: ViralNova

It won’t take up much space!

Next: 11 Hidden Gems of the Great Lakes Region

Photo: Flickr/Tina Franklin