Seven tricks on how to jam everything into your hand luggage & not exceed the allowance – & you’ve got to roll clothes
AS online searches for ‘how to pack hand luggage’ surge by 1,600%, Abby McHale reveals how to fill a carry-on case that won’t exceed your 10kg allowance.
Last year it was also suggested that UK holidaymakers fly with only hand luggage to save money and reduce airport queues.
Fold up bag
PACKING a beach bag for day trips is advisable, so fold it in half before placing it flat at the bottom of your suitcase.
Add larger rolled items on top, so the bag will stay as flat as possible and not get misshapen.
Stuff your sandals
YOU don’t want your sandals to get bent en route, so stuff them with something small such as your underwear so they keep their shape.
You can also slot the ends of your sandals together in the suitcase to save even more space.
Tie it up
IF you’re taking an item of clothing with a tie around the waist, remove it from the belt loops.
Once your item is rolled, wrap the tie around it a few times, before tucking the ends in.
It will stop clothing unrolling and keep the tie crease-free.
Save sunnies
IF you’ve lost your sunglasses case, it’s wise to roll them up in something such as a soft T-shirt, which will keep them protected during the journey.
There’s nothing worse than a scratched lens when you’re sipping a Pina Colada, poolside.
Keep hat in shape
IS it even a holiday if you don’t take a sun hat?
Make sure yours is one of the first things you pack and stuff it with something like a swimsuit so it keeps its shape.
Then pack around any awkward edges with small items such as underwear and socks.
Tuck & roll
DRESSES and long skirts can be the bulkiest items and the ones most susceptible to creasing.
Rolling them before putting them in a case is the best way to keep them wrinkle-free and save space.
Lay the item flat out and starting from one end, roll as tightly as you can to the other end.
Use rule of three
THIS is an effective method to keep shirts and T-shirts folded nice and tightly.
Think of your shirt as being split into three equal parts down the middle, then fold each side of the shirt into the centre.
Then fold in half then again until your item is small and compact.
Tips on what to take
PICK UP EXPANDABLE TOWEL: From just £4 on Amazon, these are roughly the same circumference as the palm of your hand.
Once you’ve arrived at your destination, give them a rinse in the sink and air them out and you’ll have yourself a reusable towel for the rest of the holiday.
DO CLICK AND COLLECT FOR TOILETRIES: Collecting all your essentials from Boots at the airport means you won’t have your miniatures weighing down your hand luggage and taking up all important space.
Plus, it saves you panicking over whether or not you’ve remembered to put all your liquids in your clear plastic bag before you go through security.
USE TISSUE PAPER WHEN FOLDING CLOTHES: Inserting tissue paper when you fold or roll your clothes will significantly reduce the risk of the fabric getting creased and will mean it’s far less likely that you will be calling the hotel’s reception and asking to borrow an iron. Win, win.
AVOID STAINS AND SPILLAGES: Even the most experienced of packers can sometimes come a cropper with the likes of a leaky shampoo bottle playing havoc with your clothes.
Avoid such horrors by turning your clothes inside out before you pack them – and make sure toiletries all have their lids on properly.
TAKE A PLASTIC BAG FOR YOUR DIRTY LAUNDRY: This means you won’t get confused about what’s dirty and what isn’t and it will stop your clean clothes from getting covered in sand and sun cream.
Oh, and it will make doing your laundry at home much more straightforward too.