Moving Seasonal Items: How to Pack Winter Clothes & Summer Gear

Moving homes in Melbourne means navigating a city with distinct seasons—chilly winters in the Dandenongs, humid summers in the west, and everything in between. If you’re relocating during a seasonal transition, you’ll likely be transporting both winter coats and summer sandals in the same truck.

But moving seasonal items isn’t just about tossing them in a bin and hoping for the best. Improper packing can lead to mildew, moth damage, wrinkles, odors, or even permanent fabric degradation—especially in Melbourne’s variable climate.

At Paul Movers , we’ve helped thousands of Melburnians move everything from ski jackets to surfboards since 2017. Over the years, we’ve refined a set of professional, climate-smart strategies for packing seasonal clothing and gear—so your belongings arrive fresh, clean, and ready to use in your new home.

Whether you’re downsizing to a studio in St Kilda, upgrading to a family home in Berwick, or relocating interstate, this guide will show you exactly how to pack winter clothes, summer gear, and off-season items like a pro.

And if you’d prefer to leave the packing to experts, our Packing and Unpacking Services Melbourne team uses these same techniques—plus premium materials and full insurance coverage.

Why Seasonal Items Need Special Packing Attention

Most people treat all clothing the same when moving. But winter and summer gear have unique vulnerabilities:

Winter woolens attract moths and absorb moisture

Down jackets compress poorly and lose loft if stored wet

Summer linens wrinkle easily and stain from sunscreen or sweat

Wetsuits, tents, and outdoor gear trap odors and mildew if not dried properly

Seasonal shoes (boots, sandals) scuff or deform when stacked incorrectly

Add Melbourne’s humidity, sudden rain showers, and temperature swings—and you’ve got a recipe for damaged belongings if you’re not careful.

That’s why moving seasonal items requires a tailored approach. Let’s break it down by category.

Step 1: Sort & Declutter Before You Pack

Before packing a single sweater, edit your seasonal wardrobe. Ask:

Have I worn this in the past 12 months?

Is it stained, torn, or outdated?

Will I need this in my new climate or lifestyle?

If you’re moving from a house with a garage to an apartment in the CBD, bulky ski gear may no longer make sense. Our blog on Downsize Before a Move can help you decide what to keep.

Donate usable items to local charities like Vinnies or Brotherhood of St Laurence—reducing clutter and moving costs.

💡 Pro Tip: Paul Movers offers pre-move consultation on what to dispose of. Ask us during your free quote .

Step 2: Clean Everything—Thoroughly

Never pack dirty seasonal items. Residual sweat, salt, sunscreen, or food stains attract pests and cause permanent damage during storage.

For Winter Clothes:

Wool sweaters: Hand-wash or dry clean

Down jackets: Machine-wash on gentle (check label), then air-dry completely

Coats & boots: Wipe down, polish, and ensure 100% dry

For Summer Gear:

Swimwear: Rinse in fresh water to remove chlorine/salt

Linen shirts: Wash and iron to prevent mildew

Sandals & espadrilles: Clean soles and let air-dry

⚠️ Critical: If moving in winter (June–August), ensure all items are bone-dry before packing. Melbourne’s damp air + enclosed boxes = mildew city. See our guide: Winter Moving Melbourne: Beat Cold Move Challenges .

Step 3: Choose the Right Packing Materials

Not all storage solutions are equal. Avoid these common mistakes:

Vacuum bags for long-term storage → Compresses fibers, damages down, traps moisture

Plastic bins without ventilation → Promotes condensation and odor

Cardboard boxes for damp items → Warps and attracts mold

✅ Recommended Materials:

Cotton storage bags (breathable, moth-resistant)

Plastic bins with clip-on lids (for dry, clean items only)

Acid-free tissue paper (for delicate fabrics)

Silica gel packs (to absorb residual moisture)

For a full list, see our Essential Packing Materials Guide .

Step 4: Pack Winter Clothes Like a Pro

❄️ Wool Sweaters & Knits

Fold (never hang—stretches shoulders)

Place in cotton garment bags or boxes lined with tissue

Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to repel moths

❄️ Down Jackets & Puffer Coats

Do NOT vacuum-seal—this breaks down the down clusters

Hang in wardrobe boxes if possible

If boxing, loosely fold and place on top of other items to avoid compression

❄️ Boots & Winter Shoes

Stuff with acid-free paper to retain shape

Wrap in breathable cloth (not plastic)

Store upright in original boxes or dedicated shoe bins

📦 Box Tip: Label clearly: “WINTER – WOOL & DOWN – DO NOT COMPRESS”

For more on fragile textiles, read How to Move Fragile Items Safely .

Step 5: Pack Summer Gear with Care

☀️ Swimwear & Beach Towels

Ensure 100% dry—hang overnight before packing

Roll (don’t fold) to save space and reduce creases

Store in mesh laundry bags inside bins (allows airflow)

☀️ Linen & Cotton Clothing

Iron before packing to kill bacteria and prevent mildew

Pack in breathable cotton bags

Avoid plastic—linen needs to “breathe”

☀️ Outdoor Gear (Tents, Sleeping Bags, Wetsuits)

Wetsuits: Rinse, hang to dry inside-out for 48 hours, then loosely coil

Tents: Clean poles, air out fabric, store in original sack

Coolers & beach chairs: Wipe down, disassemble if possible

🌧️ Melbourne Note: Even in summer, pack a moisture absorber. Sudden storms can delay unloading.

Step 6: Organize by Season & Priority

Use our 3-bin system for seamless unpacking:

Current Season Clothes you’ll wear immediately Day 1
Next Season Items needed in 3–6 months Within 1 month
Off-Season Ski gear in summer, fans in winter Store in garage or under-bed

Label each bin clearly:

“SUMMER 2025 – SWIMWEAR + BEACH TOWELS – OPEN IN DECEMBER”
“WINTER 2025 – WOOL COATS – STORE UNTIL MAY”

This aligns with our Room-by-Room Packing Guide , which emphasizes logical unpacking sequences.

Step 7: Special Considerations for Interstate Moves

If you’re moving from Melbourne to a different climate (e.g., tropical Queensland or arid South Australia), reassess your seasonal needs:

To warmer climates: Donate heavy winter coats

To colder regions: Keep layering pieces, add thermal wear

For long-distance relocations, we use climate-controlled vehicles and moisture-barrier wraps. Learn more in Why Paul Movers Is the Best Choice for Interstate Relocations .

What NOT to Do: 5 Seasonal Packing Mistakes

Packing damp items → Guaranteed mildew

Using vacuum bags for wool or down → Permanent damage

Storing leather boots in plastic → Cracks and dry rot

Mixing clean and dirty gear → Stains spread

Skipping labels → “Which bin has my ski gloves?”

Avoid these pitfalls with our Common Moving Mistakes Guide .

How Paul Movers Handles Seasonal Items

When you hire our Packers and Movers Melbourne team, here’s our seasonal protocol:

Pre-move consultation: We assess your wardrobe and climate needs

Professional cleaning coordination: Recommend trusted local cleaners if needed

Climate-appropriate packing: Breathable wraps for wool, moisture barriers for electronics

Strategic loading: Seasonal bins go last (unloaded first)

Storage advice: If you need short-term storage, we partner with secure Melbourne facilities

We even offer specialty packing for outdoor gear, including surfboards, bikes, and camping equipment—see our Specialty Item Moving page.

Bonus: Storing Seasonal Items Post-Move

If you’re not ready to unpack everything:

Use under-bed storage with breathable containers

Rotate seasonally: Every March and September, swap bins

Refresh moth repellents every 6 months

Air out stored items quarterly to prevent stale odors

For renters, our Renters Moving Melbourne Guide includes space-saving storage hacks.

Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Season by Season

Moving seasonal items doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right cleaning, materials, and labeling system, your winter coats and summer sandals will arrive in your new Melbourne home just as fresh as the day you packed them.

And remember: you don’t have to do it alone. At Paul Movers, we combine local climate knowledge, professional packing expertise, and transparent pricing to make your move seamless—no matter the season.

📞 Call us at 0403 917 885
📧 Email: info@paulmovers.com.au
🌐 Get your free, no-obligation quote: Contact Paul Movers

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