Try to keep clothes, especially underwear, neatly folded — it makes a huge difference. Picture: iStock

It’s understandable: packing a suitcase is boring, stressful and if you have any shampoo-related disasters, can even ruin your trip.

In an effort to make your travels much smoother, The Sun has rounded up the best hacks to help you pack your suitcase like an absolute pro.

1. BUY A LIGHTWEIGHT SUITCASE

You will want to be able to pack all the clothes you’ll need without going over the weight restrictions of your airline. And this will be a lot easier if you’re not starting with a heavy suitcase.

Investing in a nice, lightweight version is your first step to packing success.

2. DOUBLE-BAG YOUR TOILETRIES

No one wants a major shampoo explosion, so double bagging your toiletries is the best way to protect your clothes and valuables, should there be any unexpected spills.

As a general rule, try to pack travel-sized toiletries that are 85g or less — that way they won’t weigh things down.

If you’re really looking to cut down on weight, it could be worth leaving out items like shampoo and conditioner and buying them at your destination — it might even be cheaper, too.

The most successfully packed suitcase fits as much as possible, without things getting damaged or tangled, and without the whole bag being too heavy.Source:istock

3. USE PILL CONTAINERS TO STORE RINGS AND JEWELLERY

It saves space and stops small items like rings and earring getting lost among your luggage.

4. PUT ROLLED-UP SOCKS INSIDE YOUR SHOES

This one is doubly clever: it saves space as well as helping your shoes maintain their shape.

5. KEEP CLOTHES FRESH WITH DRYER SHEETS AND LAUNDRY DETERGENT

Placing dryer sheets in your suitcase is a really great way of stopping your clean clothes from taking on the not-so-fresh odour of your dirty items.

Including a few individual packets of laundry detergent, or a small bottle of hand wash, will also mean you can keep your clothes clean on the go — which is also great if you’re trying to cut down on the amount of clothes to pack.

6. PACK EMPTY TOTE OR PLASTIC BAGS

Whether you use them to store your dirty laundry or haul back all the souvenirs you buy on your trip, extra bags will always come in handy and don’t weigh much.

Try to keep clothes, especially underwear, neatly folded — it makes a huge difference. Picture: iStockSource:Supplied

7. PACK ELECTRICAL WIRES IN A GLASSES CASE

Storing things such as headphones and camera chargers in a glasses case keeps them all in one place, stops them from getting broken or tangled, and saves space. This also works well as a way to store makeup brushes while travelling.

8. COVER THE SOLES OF YOUR SHOES WITH SHOWER CAPS

It helps to stop them getting the rest of your clothes dirty.

9. ROLL CLOTHING UP AND USE AIR COMPRESSION BAGS

Maximising the space in your suitcase is the key to packing success. By rolling up clothes you can fit much more in, while the plastic air compression bags will stop them from creasing.

10. FOLD YOUR UNDERWEAR

It sounds simple, but folding or rolling your underwear rather than stuffing it in your case saves much more space.

11. PUT COTTON PADS IN YOUR POWDER-BASED MAKEUP

It helps prevent the makeup from breaking up and will keep it safe, so you’ll have everything you need to look great on your trip.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.