This packing hack is the perfect way to organize your suitcase for the Labor Day Weekend – and it costs less than $10

Like everyone, I love going on vacation. What I don't love, however, is packing. It's probably down to the fact that my suitcase rarely shuts properly on the first attempt, and I also find it tedious, stressful and time-consuming.

I've been a long-time user and lover of packing cubes, but I never seem to have enough to organize my clothes, toiletries, shoes and bags. This got me thinking, is there a cheaper alternative?

Ziploc bags have so many uses for home organizing ideas, and this clever alternative use of the plastic zipper bags can can now help you pack your outfits with ease. Spend less time stressing and more time sunbathing and hanging out with friends.

4 ways to use Ziploc bags to organize your suitcase

1. For organizing outfits

You might think you know how to fold clothes for packing, but are you maximizing the space in your space? The beauty of this hack is the simplicity and ease of adopting it into your own lifestyle.

I love my Osprey Ultralight Packing Cube Set, and have used it for years, as the packing cubes keep clothes organized and compressed. So, I tried replicating this same idea with Ziploc bags, which have many surprising uses around your home.

I simply organized my clothes into head-to-toe outfits, including any accessories I plan to wear with them, such as sunglasses, folded them neatly and slid them into the Ziploc bags. I used freezable one gallon sized bags, to give me plenty of room without the worry of rips or tears. Once my clothes were in the bags, I squeezed out all the air and sealed, creating a space-saving solution for my suitcase.

I also used a bag to pack my dirty shoes, keeping them away from my my clean items.

'Store each day's outfit, including socks and accessories, in a large Ziploc bag,' says Meghan Kessman, professional organizer at Meghan Kessman Organization. 'This efficient method makes getting dressed effortless and ensures wrinkle-free clothing,' particularly if you know how to fold shirts and want to pack them to prevent creases.

Lucia Polla is a travel expert, and founder of travel blog Viva la Vita. She also uses Ziploc bags for easy outfit packing and suitcase organization.

'I split time between Spain and the US, and I've become a master at efficient packing,' she says. 'Using Ziploc bags is one of my top tips for organizing luggage and protecting belongings, as they're fantastic for separating outfits or categories. I pack tops, bottoms, undergarments, and accessories in individual bags labeled "Monday," "Tuesday," etc. This keeps everything compact and wrinkle-free so I'm not rummaging through my suitcase each morning.

'I also use gallon-sized ziplocks for bulky items like sweaters and jackets. Rolling clothes maximizes space, but bulkier knits don't fold well. The bags protect these items from dirt or snags during transit. I once had a red sweater bleed onto a white blouse, so I always bag colored items separately now!'

Polla recommends the Just QT Clear Bags for Clothes Storage available at Amazon, which are made of heavy-duty plastic and feature a strong vacuum seal, perfect for taking on trips.

2. To sort toiletries

Ziploc bags are also a great way to keep your toiletries organized, and protect the rest of your suitcase from any spillages, especially in the unpressurized cargo areas of planes that make these items prone to leaking when air pressure changes during a flight.

David Ciccarelli, the founder of Lake, an online vacation rental platform for cabins, cottages, and lakeside retreats, regularly uses Ziploc bags for tackling light-weight packing when walking the Camino de Santiago, particularly for his toiletries.

'For the last two years, I've walked the Camino de Santiago, a 400 km trek across Spain,' he says. 'Since every ounce mattered to keep our packs light, I opted to create my own packing system.

'First, I created a checklist of everything I was going to pack, essentially two of everything and nothing more. After laying everything out on the floor, I grouped items from the least likely to be used, zipped them up in Ziploc bags, and put them in the bottom of the pack.

'For more frequently used items, which I affectionately called "The Pharmacy" and included all toiletries, I put them into a freezer-size Ziploc bag as it would be waterproof. The total cost was around $20-$25, and it was far more efficient for weight and space.'

This is also a great way for organizing toiletries in your hand-luggage, to get through airport security quickly and easily.

3. For packing small items

I always seem to have smaller items to pack into my suitcase, but it can be difficult to know where to put them so they don't get tangled, disorganized or lost.

'Utilize smaller Ziploc bags for chargers, jewelry, and other essentials,' says Kessman. 'Keep everything secure and accessible, making unpacking a breeze upon arrival.'

Head of solved at Homes & Gardens Punteha van Terheyden uses this to keep her daughter's belongings together for vacations. She says, 'I pop my daughter's smaller items together by activity: coloring pens and pencils in one, toothbrush and toothpaste in another, along with hair brush and bows, clips and bands so I don't have to go diving into a suitcase to find a vital, but tiny item.'

4. To separate wet or dirty washing

Once you arrive at your destination, you can use the empty Ziploc bags to separate your dirty washing or wet swimwear from your clean clothes, ideal for packing any laundry to bring back home.

'Use Ziploc bags to store wet items like swimsuits,' recommends Kessman.

You can also keep a few different bags you brought your outfits in to stash whites, darks, and colored dirty laundry so when you return home, you're already set for a quick laundry turnaround.

My verdict?

My case has never looked better and packing was a breeze. The ability to compress my outfits saved so much space, and organizing by outfits is a genius way to make sure I never leave anything behind or overpack again (or try not to!).

Plus if there are any spills your clothes won't get dirtied in the process. It's a win win!

FAQs

Is it ok to store clothes in Ziploc bags?

They might be great for packing your clothes in a suitcase, but storing your clothes long-term in Ziploc bags is not a recommended idea.

The plastic can deteriorate and harm the clothes, so instead, try organizing clothes by investing in a clothes storage idea that works for you.

Are you supposed to reuse Ziploc bags?

According to Ziploc, their bags are made to be reused again and again, until torn or damaged, so they're a great way to be sustainable at home.

Simply hand-wash with washing up liquid and air-dry, tossing any that are no longer usable in the trash.

'Ziplocs combined with packing cubes give me a structured, compressed luggage system,' says Polla. 'I can fit two more days of outfits using this approach! The bags also make it so easy to pull out exactly what I need each day. No rummaging required.'

Learn how to clean luggage when you get back from vacation