3• Put to one side clothes that you are sick of or are no longer intending to use. When you go on holiday select your clothes from these. When you finish wearing them, throw them out or donate to a local op-shop.
• Go buy one of those sets of underwear that are cheap (10 pairs of undies for $10). Wear once and throw out, no washing.
• If you are intending to shop up large on new clothing take a vacuum compression bag that will fit in the suitcase and pack your new clothes into that. Ask housekeeping for use of a vacuum to compress.
• Pack lightly. Just about everywhere has a place to buy anything you forgot.
• Buy the best quality lightest suitcase you can afford - you will never be sorry.
- Penny Harrison, Christchurch
4 My travel tip is pack plenty of medium-sized plastic bags to keep shoes and dirty laundry in. Smaller quantities are easier to cram in odd spaces and compartments of your luggage.
- Christine Chapman, Orewa
5 I always take a wire coathanger and some clips so I can dry my smalls in the hotel room after giving them a quick wash in the tub or sink. I pack a small container of washing powder in an old vitamin bottle.
- Helen Lee
6 If you carrying glass bottles or any fragile items, roll them in your cloths or towels to give a padding around and saving them from the breakages.
- Hilary Martin Patrao
7 When packing shoes against clothes use disposable shower caps to cover the soles so your clothes stay clean. Roll your clothes when packing - it makes more room! Also make use of empty spaces such as inside shoes, etc. Last but not least, always, always carry spare plastic bags or ziplock bags. They always come in handy.
- Laura Leybourne, Birkenhead
8 My husband and I always travel with just one suitcase between us. (One full fare and one "carry-on" bag fare). All our clothes are placed flat inside plastic bags, then when a T-shirt is needed the T-shirt plastic bag is pulled out without disturbing all the other clothes. Same for underwear, shorts, etc.
As well, we carry one empty different-coloured plastic (yellow Pak'nSave) bag for all dirty washing, which is placed in one of the many pockets in the case. That way, clean and dirty are always separate and we can find what we want without a major rummage.
- D.R. Queenin, Green Bay
9 Roll pleated skirts into a long roll and place in a stocking/or one leg of a pair of tights. They can then be placed around the edge of the suitcase where there are often gaps to fill. Pleats won't crease or get pulled out of shape.
- Carol Storey, Sandringham
The winner of our giveaway was Marg Palmer, of Pakiri, who has won two Cubepop suitcases, valued at $299 and $399. Happy travels, Marg!
We'll be running more readers' packing tips this week on Twitter. Check out @NZHTravel
