If you’re moving across the country or simply packing a suitcase, you want your belongings to arrive at their destination in good condition. Following are some packing tips that will help ensure your possessions remain intact and/or rumple free.Packing tips for moves. Movers aren’t always as careful with your belongings as you would hope they would be. Help ensure a successful move by using the proper packing materials.  

·         Boxes. Avoid re-using old boxes unless they are sturdy and in good condition. Boxes made of corrugated cardboard with a double wall construction are best. 

·         Other packing essentials. Stock up on packing tape, bubble wrap, packaging “peanuts” and thick paper or old newspapers. Hold onto old pillows and blankets – they make excellent padding.

·         Pad, pad, pad. Regardless of which materials you use, create at least two inches of cushioning on all sides of your box.  Suitcase packing tips. Nothing is worse than starting a vacation or business trip with wrinkled – or ruined – clothing. Prevent problems with the following tips.

• Avoid creases. Help save good clothing from wrinkling by padding better garments with tissue, placing them in plastic dry cleaning bags and laying them on top of more casual items.

• Save space. Stuff suitcase corners and odd gaps with casual clothes rolled into tube-like shapes. This will allow you to pack more, but may not cut down on wrinkles.

• Protect clothes from leaky toiletries. New travel restrictions make it difficult to avoid packing toiletries in the same bag as clothing, but you can cut down the risk of leaks by filling travel-size plastic bottles halfway and squeezing out the air. Then, double-bag the bottles and other toiletries: first in a resealable plastic bag, then in a plastic grocery bag.

• Shield your shoes. Save shoes from becoming scuffed or scratched by stuffing them with socks and putting them in a plastic grocery bag. Instead of situating shoes on the bottom of the suitcase, place them on the sides: this will protect clothing from shoe indentations when a suitcase is placed upright.