Description and use of vacuum bags

The larger the family, the more clothes that have to be stored between seasons. Wardrobes, balconies, niches under sofas or beds are filled with it. You can simplify the process with the help of vacuum bags.

Why do you need vacuum bags

With traditional storage, space is taken up not only by clothes, but also by air, so even neatly folded things require a lot of free space. This is especially true for down jackets, overalls, blankets.

A vacuum cover is needed so that bulky objects take up as little space as possible; for this, air is sucked out of it with a vacuum cleaner. This reduces the volume by 2-4 times.

It is convenient to use the bags for off-season wardrobe, travel, and also when moving. All kinds of blankets, textiles, soft toys will become as compact as possible.

Important! During vacuum storage of clothes, the contents of the bag are protected from moisture, dust, insects. An additional plus: transparent polyethylene allows you to quickly find the desired item.

Types of vacuum bags

Products differ in functionality and size, so they should be chosen taking into account the needs:

• With a valve, they are convenient for long-term storage, as they remove air as much as possible. They are the most common and come in a variety of sizes.

• A package without a valve, after filling with linen, is closed with a zipper, leaving a small hole for air to escape. After that, they roll up from the bottom up into a tight roll, pushing out the air with their hands, and fasten the lock. This type is less effective, it is suitable if you do not have a vacuum cleaner at hand. They come in small and medium sizes.

• Suspended models do not withstand heavy loads, they are used for clothes that are undesirable to fold, for example, coats and jackets.

• Bedding and knitwear are stored with aromatization. You can get a light scent yourself by putting a perfumed sachet inside any airless package.

All bags are made of durable polyethylene, but the larger the area, the stronger the material should be. Small defects can be sealed with tape, while the tightness will remain. The most fragile part of the device is the valve, so impacts on a hard surface are not desirable.

When choosing the dimensions of the cover, consider where it will be stored in the future:

• 50 * 60, 50 * 40 cm fits into a standard wardrobe, ideal for travel, it is convenient to use for light things, baby clothes.

• 80 * 60, 90 * 55 cm and other bags less than a meter in length can be placed on the mezzanine. Since it is often difficult to get clothes out of there, it is better to store upstairs what is not in demand or it is a pity to throw it away.

• from 100 * 80 to 130 * 90 cm are suitable for storing pillows, blankets, non-seasonal wardrobe. Depending on the size, they are stored in bed and sofa niches.

• 90 * 70, 125 * 70 cm in the presence of hangers and hangers are used to store outerwear in a suspended state. When choosing such a model, consider the depth of the wardrobe.

Important! Before purchasing a vacuum cover, measure the parameters of the cabinet or niche where it will be stored.

How to use bags for storing things correctly

There are a variety of vacuum bags for storing things, how to use them to get the most out of them:

Everything that is planned to be "preserved" must be washed and dried thoroughly. Otherwise, the smell of dampness will spread to all the laundry.

Sort accessories by season and frequency of use. It is not recommended to store together winter down jackets, which will be unclaimed until next winter, with pillows and blankets, if they can be useful once a month or two, depending on the frequency of guests' arrival.

Note! Rare use will save you the hassle of constantly re-folding and extend the life of the product.

Linen with rivets, sharp fittings must be packed so that all sharp elements are hidden inside. Usually, it is enough to turn things inside out or put them between layers.

The cover must be of the correct size and evenly filled to two thirds with an allowance of up to 10 cm around the lock.

After filling, the lock is fastened with a clip, passing it back and forth several times. The clasp consists of two stripes for greater security.

For sealing, the valve cover is opened and the air is evacuated with a vacuum cleaner. For this purpose, you can also purchase a special vacuum pump, it is convenient when traveling.

Then the valve is screwed on and the tightness is checked: the formation must remain solid, not draw in air. A whistle is a sign that there is a hole or that the zipper is poorly closed.

Additional Information. The degree of evacuation of air is chosen at your discretion. Most often, it is removed completely, and the packet stops shrinking. It is not recommended to squeeze clothes with natural down as much as possible so as not to damage the filler.

How to open a bag of clothes

When used with care, vacuum bags are suitable for multiple use.

They should be opened in the reverse order:

• First unscrew the valve cap and allow air to flow.
• Open the zip-lock by longitudinal displacement of its strips relative to each other.When stretching the fastener to the sides, there is a risk of damage to it and the integrity of the polyethylene.
• Take things out, hang or steam with an iron. Outerwear should be unpacked a couple of weeks before wearing so that it regains its previous shape.

Additional Information. Every 6 months the plastic cover should be unsealed and the contents ventilated.

What clothes cannot be stored in vacuum bags

Storage in a vacuum is suitable for most of the wardrobe, with the exception of products made of genuine leather, fur and membrane fabric, orthopedic pillows, dirty and damp linen, sharp cutting objects.

Analogs of vacuum bags

There is nothing more convenient than using ready-made vacuum bags for clothes, but if there are none, you can make them yourself. You will need a tight bag, vacuum cleaner and tape. In order to achieve a vacuum, you need to fold things tightly, tighten the bag, leaving the neck open. Remove air through the remaining hole with a vacuum cleaner and tighten it tightly with tape. Such a homemade disposable device can take in air over time if there are inconspicuous holes.

The practicality of vacuum storage has been appreciated by many housewives: it saves space, keeps the laundry clean and is suitable for reusable use. When choosing a size, give preference to several small packages, rather than one oversized one. In this case, things will be laid out taking into account the density of the fabric and the frequency of wearing.

Before removing the collected laundry, it is recommended to wait a few hours and make sure that the packaging is tight.

VIDEO: How to use vacuum bags correctly.