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The Best Vacuum Storage Bags for Saving Space

Last updated on March 15, 2024

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Our Picks For The Top Vacuum Seal Bags

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

GONGSHI Mildew-Free Fast Pump Vacuum Seal Bags, 12-Pack

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GONGSHI

Mildew-Free Fast Pump Vacuum Seal Bags, 12-Pack

With these travel-friendly vacuum seal bags, you'll be able to fit more items in your suitcase. The set includes a total of 12 bags, each of which reduce volume by as much as 80 percent! The bags are designed to work with both a hand pump and a vacuum hose attachment.

Overall Take

Vacation-FriendlyWith this vacuum seal bag set, you'll receive three small, three medium, three large and three jumbo-sized bags.

 Runner Up

Cozy Essential Transparent Travel Vacuum Seal Bags, 20-Pack

Cozy Essential

Transparent Travel Vacuum Seal Bags, 20-Pack

You'll get a total of 20 vacuum seal bags when you opt for this large set. Since the box contains bags in a variety of sizes, you'll be able to store everything from a collection of socks to a king-size quilt. The bags are completely reusable and do an excellent job of protecting your favorite items from dust, pet dander and accidental spills.

Overall Take

Stock UpThis set of vacuum seal bags comes with a hand pump, which can easily be packed in a suitcase for use in a hotel on trips for business or pleasure.

 We Also Like

Amazon Basics Zipper Closure Vacuum Seal Bags, 15-Pack

Amazon Basics

Zipper Closure Vacuum Seal Bags, 15-Pack

If storage space is an issue in your home, opt for this vacuum seal bag set. It comes with 15 bags that range in size from small to jumbo. You'll be able to store everything from baby clothes to king-size comforters and quilts.

Overall Take

Value PackProtect your garments and linens from dust and pests with this low-cost per piece vacuum seal bag set.

 Also Great

AirBaker BPA-Free Vacuum Dual Seal Bags, 8-Pack

AirBaker

BPA-Free Vacuum Dual Seal Bags, 8-Pack

Since these vacuum seal bags are puncture resistant, they work well for business and leisure travel. The set includes a total of eight bags in three different sizes, all of which save up to three times your typical storage space. The bags are also BPA-free, so you can feel comfortable about using them for your kids' clothes.

Overall Take

Easy to UseTo use these vacuum seal bags, simply toss in your items, close the zipper and pump out the air.

What to Look For

  • 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.

More to Explore

Vacuum sealing has been around for many decades and is traced back to a German inventor named Karl Busch. He started removing air from packaging to preserve food in his home in the 1940s. The idea eventually made its way into the military, and soldiers in World War II ate food that had been preserved in air-tight bags.

In 1963, Busch introduced a home vacuum sealer, which allowed anyone to begin preserving their food in this way. But perfecting the home vacuum sealer has been attributed to Hans Christian, who in the 1980s tinkered with Busch’s invention and perfected it to what is still used in home vacuum sealer systems today.

The newest models have digital features and are easier to operate than models from years past. And the reason the modern vacuum sealers are lauded include their ability to keep away bacteria and fungi, whether its food or clothing that is stored.

More to explore