Travel enthusiasts are buzzing about an incredibly simple yet revolutionary packing hack that promises to solve one of the most common holiday dilemmas: how to fit everything into your suitcase without paying hefty excess baggage fees.
The ingenious method, which has taken social media by storm, requires just one everyday item that costs mere pennies - a standard drinking straw.
The Revolutionary Technique
Here's how this game-changing packing trick works: Instead of rolling or folding your clothes traditionally, you use a straw to remove excess air from your garments, effectively vacuum-packing them without any special equipment.
Travel expert Samantha Brown demonstrated the method, explaining: "By rolling your clothing items tightly around a straw and then squeezing out the air as you remove it, you create compact, space-saving bundles that can reduce your luggage volume by up to 30 percent."
Why This Method Works
The science behind this hack is surprisingly simple. By eliminating trapped air between fabric fibres, you're significantly reducing the volume each clothing item occupies. This method works particularly well with knitwear, casual wear, and even some heavier garments.
Unlike expensive vacuum bags that require special pumps, this technique uses basic physics to achieve similar results without any cost or additional equipment.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Lay your garment flat on a clean surface
- Place a standard drinking straw at one edge of the clothing item
- Roll the garment tightly around the straw, keeping tension consistent
- Once fully rolled, gently slide the straw out while maintaining pressure
- The vacuum effect will keep your clothing compact and compressed
Frequent flyers who've tested the method report being able to fit up to five extra outfits in their carry-on luggage, potentially saving hundreds of pounds in checked baggage fees over multiple trips.
Expert Recommendations
Travel professionals suggest this method is particularly valuable for budget airlines with strict baggage allowances and for longer trips where maximizing space becomes crucial.
Pro tip: For even better results, combine this technique with packing cubes to keep your compressed clothing organized and easily accessible throughout your journey.
This 28p solution proves that sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective, turning an ordinary drinking straw into the ultimate travel accessory that could save you both space and money on your next holiday.
