Hibag Clear Waterproof Vacuum Seal Bags, 20-Pack

Folks who don’t know where to begin when it comes to space-saving organization in their homes can start with using vacuum seal packing bags. There are various sizes available for all storage needs. The bags are best used to store bulky cloth items such as sweaters and comforters that need to be flattened simply by removing the air around them. They may also be used for documents.

Bags are typically waterproof so they may be stored in places that have the potential for mold and mildew.

Buying vacuum seal bags is important for optimizing small or potentially damp spaces. Do your research to get quality bags that won’t accidentally unseal or potentially allow moisture in.  Consider your circumstances: Will the bags be stored under a bed, in a closet, an attic, a garage, a storage shed? How long will the items be stored? Do you live in a tropical or drier location? These pieces of information are vital to selecting the type of bags you purchase.

In addition to storage, vacuum seal bags are helpful in saving space inside your luggage. Some sets will even come with a travel-size vacuum pump so you can repack luggage at the end of a trip. Vacuum-sealing your clothes is a good way to avoid checking luggage and fitting everything into a carry-on bag on airplanes.

Clothing and bedding aren’t the only items that can be protected in these bags — some will store important documents in vacuum seal bags to ensure they don’t get wet. Another item some will store in air-tight bags is stuffed animals. But do be sure to check the bags you are buying to see if they have a “shelf life” … almost all vacuum seal bags eventually lose their seal and are not meant to be used for extremely long periods of storage. Many brands will recommend using them for about 3-5 months.

Another option to consider is whether the bags you buy are anti-microbial. Some brands promise the bags will keep your items hygienic.

• The most important feature to seek when buying vacuum seal bags is the durability. Check to see what the projected life-span of the bags are and compare that to your need. Some fabrics need air to keep their form, so it is not ideal to store clothes from more than a few months at a time.
• Most bags are designed to hold seal for a few months.
• If you live in an area with a lot of moisture in the air, there is a possibility of mold getting inside bags, so be sure to buy bags that are heavy duty.
• When sealing a bag, be sure to double-check the zipper for closure or the seal won’t work properly. Some brands offer double-zip. Go back over the zips to ensure they are closed. Cheaper bags sometimes have cheap zips and will fail sooner than those with strong zips.
• Before sealing any cloth items, be sure they are completely dry. You do not want to seal in moisture, which will lead to mold and possibly deteriorate the items.
• If you purchase vacuum seal bags and struggle with them, check the website of the brand you purchase. Many offer help and tip sections.
• Don’t overfill vacuum seal bags. Many recommend keeping the items you place inside at least an inch from the zip. The room between the items and the zip allows for a tight seal of that space and will help keep air out of the bags.
• When you are ready to turn on the vacuum to remove the air, don’t worry if you can’t get a perfect seal against the valve. If you keep pressing it on as firmly as you can, this will help the air to be extracted.
• If you don’t like the shape of the bag once the air is extracted, simply start over. Open the bag (at the zip end), shake it to move items around, and begin again.
• Keep vacuum seal bags away from excessive heat or open flames.
• There are some items that will not hold well in compression. This includes feather-filled bedding and leather jackets. Check the packaging of your vacuum bags to see if there is a list of items not recommended for sealing.