Plastic sheets for packing

A couple non-plastic ideas:
I often use zippered mesh wash bags. Whitmor brand, for example, makes them in several sizes, including a large size that will hold shirts or sweaters.

Also, the last time I bought a Charter Club sheet set from Macy's, the sheets and pillowcases came in a well-made cotton cover with a zipper. I held onto the bag-like cover because I think it will be useful for future packing--for small items like socks, underwear, scarves, or even a few t-shirts.

To follow along Rachel’s non plastic ideas, what about something like these?

https://www.target.com/p/lotus-original-reusable-produce-bags-3ct/-/A-84622523#lnk=sametab

A Google search for mesh vegetable bags brings more sizes, too.

Also, the last time I bought a Charter Club sheet set from Macy's, the sheets and pillowcases came in a well-made cotton cover with a zipper.

We do have some of those from a recent pillow-case purchase and have kept them! I’ll see what else we have hidden away. Thanks.

To follow along Rachel’s non plastic ideas, what about something like these?

Interesting! I did see ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘not single use plastic’, but I didn’t see any mention of what material they were made of. Any idea?

It says polyester.

enable me to lift out the 'shirt stack' and reach the 't-shirt stack

My own packing strategy is to flip the "stacks" on their side so that any one can be removed without lifting any other. Like vertical file folders in a file drawer.

This requires that each "stack" have a little bit of structure to reasonably stand on their own, if not held in by the others. I have enough vertical "stacks" in my suitcase that everything stands.

I use a variety of things to hold each stack - mostly zippered packing cubes and zippered mesh bags that have a bit of structure.

I lay one large packing cube, or 2 medium ones, across the top. I lift those to access everything underneath, individually.

I love my packing cubes and would not use anything else, but here's an idea: you can buy a stack of white plastic tablecloth sheets that are very thin but not as thin as the dry cleaner plastic. It's inexpensive and you can cut them to the exact size you want.

I use a variety of cubes as well as mesh zip bags (similar to pencil cases). I also have the ones MLD linked above from Target. I've found the variety helps a lot with packing. I quickly remember what color/size/style bag carries what items, plus it helps to fit different sized bags into any leftover spaces in my suitcase.

That zippered (or drawstring sometimes) bag your sheets came in makes a great "pillow" when stuffed with a puffer jacket.

I found an example online of what I used to use. I'm not liking 'packing cubes' because they are constrained in length/width, and to some-extent height, while these guys:

https://www.amazon.com/Slate-Travel-Garment-Folder-Organizer/dp/B071HP9F67

allow you to go a bit wider / taller as the sides are more flexible; all you have to do is make the two velcro strips overlap (and even that is optional). But these are quite heavy and ... not cheap!

I do have ONE packing cube (bought as part of a 'nesting set') that is perfect - fits my shirts etc, and fits perfectly in the suitcase. Sadly I only got one such 'perfect fit' out of a whole slew of purchases. So I now need to see if I can order just that size - maybe 4 of those and I'll be all set!

Years ago, I was given several Eagle Creek garment folders. They are VERY heavy. Eagle Creek made the Specter line for awhile that included a much lighter folder. What I ended up doing was keeping the medium-sized one I was given and removing the plastic "folding board" and the plastic insert. The result is that it's less rigid but weighs about half. Still heavier than I would like.