Who hasn’t dealt with an unruly travel bag before leaving for a trip? Haven’t we all sat on our suitcases in a desperate attempt to close them shut? Or tried to whip a duffle bag back into shape after stuffing it with a lot more than it can possibly hold?

Let’s face it. Packing a suitcase or travel bag is probably the least exciting part of planning for a trip and also the most overwhelming. Not only do you need to make sure that you fit all that you need into that one bag (or two, maybe) but also pack it in a way that makes it convenient to grab something without spilling the rest of the content. And how can we forget the airline baggage weight and size requirements? No one likes paying extra for luggage. Fortunately, suitcases have plenty of space if you know how to pack them right.

Here are a few suitcase packing tips that will save valuable luggage space and keep your clothes wrinkle-free:

1.Roll, not fold.

This is perhaps the oldest trick in the book: Roll your clothes instead of folding them. While some might argue that folding saves more space, the general consensus is that rolling is one of the best ways to maximize space use in a suitcase because rolled clothing can be easily squeezed into smaller compartments and corners. But if you have heavier and easily wrinkled pieces, you need to give them the folding treatment.

2.Choose the right clothes.

Unless you are going to a cold place where you need a lot of layers, stick to thin, lightweight clothes. Scour your wardrobe for clothes in soft fabrics like cotton, knits, and silk. While this may seemingly limit your outfit choices, trust us when we say that it is completely worth it to avoid paying that extra charge on your luggage.

3.Utilize unused space.

Collared shirts, shoes, and cupped bras are probably the biggest culprits when it comes to unused space in suitcases. The solution? Use that space to store things like socks and other small things that fit. When packing bras, you can stack them on top of each other. You can also fold a bra in half down the middle and store socks and underwear between the cups. This is also a great way to keep them in shape.

4.Pack travel-size items.

Regular-sized half-filled shampoo and conditioner bottles can waste a lot of space. You should, instead, carry travel-size items. And this is not just for toiletries. You should also use other items, like compact travel towels, that are designed to save space in a bag.

Looking for an extra-large travel towel that is also compact and easy to carry? Check out our online store to discover our premium-quality travel towels that are lightweight and absorbent. They allow for easy storage and are sealed to be a clean towel until you are ready to use. We also offer similar expanding beach towels that are perfect for all your tropical getaways.