6 Tips for Packing and Shipping Delicate Clothes


How to Pack and Ship Delicate Clothes Most clothes do not require special handling during packing and shipping, but some do. They include, for example, garments made from delicate fabrics like silk, chiffon or lace, embroidered clothes, items with various embellishments (beads, sequins, etc.), vintage clothes, wedding gowns, etc. You need to be careful with such clothes if you want them to get to their destination safely. Let us offer you some tips for packing and shipping delicate garments.


Have Your Delicate Clothes Cleaned Before Packing


Of course, this advice is only applicable when you’re shipping used clothes, for example, vintage garments or a wedding dress someone has already worn. Cleaning them will prevent unwanted odors, mildew, and other unpleasant surprises. Most delicate clothes need to be dry cleaned professionally. If your clothes can be washed, do it very carefully and make sure they are absolutely dry before packing and shipping them.


Use a Sturdy Waterproof Box


Small and lightweight casual clothes like t-shirts can be shipped in a plastic bag or padded envelope. However, delicate clothes need more protection than that. You’ll need a box that is both sturdy and waterproof; a Tyvec box is a great option. Do not ship delicate garments in a second-hand box because it might not be sturdy enough; leave previously used boxes for inexpensive casual clothes. If you need to ship several high-value clothing items like suits or gowns you can use a wardrobe box that has a hanging rod inside.


Make Sure the Box Is the Right Size


The size of the box always matters, but it is especially important when you’re shipping fragile items or delicate clothes. If the box is too small, the clothes inside might get squished and wrinkled or even damaged; if it’s too big, they will shift inside the box while in transit and might get wrinkled or damaged as well. In addition, using a too large box will increase your shipping costs because most postal and courier companies charge by shipping weight that depends on package dimensions.

Ideally, the box should be slightly larger than the volume of clothes you’re shipping. If the shipping box is larger than strictly necessary but you still want to use it, make sure to use enough packing peanuts, bubble wrap or another cushioning material to fill the empty space and keep the clothes from shifting.


Pack Each Clothing Item Individually


If you’re shipping several delicate items in one box, you need to pack each of them individually – especially if they have embellishments that may catch on the fabric – in order to protect the clothes from dust, dirt and moisture, as well as to prevent snagging. You can use plastic garment bags if the clothes you’re shipping aren’t too delicate and muslin cloth or acid-free tissue paper for more delicate items. Make sure that there is a layer of cloth or tissue paper between each layer of fabric.


Make Sure the Package Is Trackable


Delicate clothes are usually expensive, so you don’t want to worry about your package getting lost during transportation. For your peace of mind, make sure that the shipping service you end up choosing includes tracking. You also should consider opting for a shipping service that requires signature on delivery.


Consider Purchasing Extra Insurance


Most shipments are automatically covered in the event of loss or damage, but if the clothes you’re shipping are expensive (i.e. vintage garments or a wedding dress), you should consider purchasing additional insurance because default coverage might be not enough if something happens to them during transportation. You can purchase additional insurance from your shipping company, if that’s an option, or from a third-party insurance provider.