Vacuum Storage Bags: Which Items To Store And What To Avoid

Vacuum compression bag is many people's favorite way to store items in the home and during travel for organization and saving space. It was an old story that people simply put items in plastic bags and use vacuum cleaners to remove air from these bags and tightly close the mouth. But this is not what we call the right method. 

Our main aim is to fit bulky items into small spaces, but we can't get the desired results because of the lack of knowledge. We experience mold, flattened fabrics, or bags filling up with air again, all because of the improper use of vacuum storage bags. 

Let us help you with this guide about vacuum compression. Learn which items you can safely keep in vacuum storage bags and which ones you should avoid. You’ll also learn how to store clothes, blankets, and other items safely by avoiding damage, and get the most value out of your vacuum sealed storage bags. So, keep reading.

Why Use Vacuum Sealed Bags for Clothes?

Vacuum compression is a simple process that is a powerful method to reclaim storage space in your home or when travelling. You suck the entire air with a vacuum pump after sealing the bag, which makes the bulky items shrink to a fraction of their original size so that you can store them easily and safely in less space. 

Benefits of Vacuum Storage Bags

• It saves space by making the king size blankets and fluffy winter coats shrink by up to 70–80% of their original volume. You can put one blanket in a suitcase, but after vacuum sealing, you store 3 to 4 blankets together. 
• The plastic bags act as a barrier against many things that ruin your clothes and bedding, like

  ⁜ Dust 

  ⁜ Debris

  ⁜ Moisture 

  ⁜ Pests

  ⁜ Foul odors

  ⁜ Water splash and rain 
• Vacuum storage bags allow you to pack more clothes in your suitcase with the same weight.
• You pack seasonal items neatly to free up wardrobe space without clutter. 

Good results depend on investing in durable bags and a proper pump. Cheap, thin bags often tear or lose air, and poor sealing methods ruin clothes. A reliable choice like Vacbird vacuum storage bags paired with the VacBird VacEase Mini pump ensures long-lasting compression.

What to Store in Vacuum Bags

Vacuum storage bags are good and best companions, but at some points, they are unable to help us. You can't store every item in these bags, as not everything is suitable for vacuum compression. The things that work perfectly fine in these vacuum sealing bags are

Clothing

Seasonal and bulky clothes are the top items for vacuum compression. It helps in freeing up closet space for the clothes you actually wear daily.

• Best fabrics that shrink well: 

  ※ Cotton

  ※ Polyester blends

  ※ Denim

  ※ Wool Sweaters
• Bulky clothing for seasonal short term storage:

  ※ Sweaters

  ※ Hoodies

  ※ Jackets (safe for short-term storage)
• Seasonal wear: winter clothes in summer and vice versa.

Avoid leaving clothes compressed for more than six months to prevent long creases.

Blankets/Comforters and Bedding

Vacuum storage bags for blankets and bedding are one of the best uses.

• Thick quilts and duvets compress into flat packs and save massive space.
• Synthetic-filled comforters are safer to compress than down fill.
• Down fill comforters are better sealed for the short term to avoid clumping.

Pillows

You can compress and store extra pillows for guests or seasonal use. They will come to their original shape when you reopen them. Just give them time to fluff back up before using them. Avoid compressing memory foam pillows, as they may not fully recover.

Curtains, Towels, and Linens

Vacuum storage bags are a good fit for storing extra sets of sheets and towels. Large curtains take up less space after vacuum compression. These items are easy to compress and bounce back on reopening without damage. It helps you to keep extra household fabrics clean and organized. These fresh fabrics are ready to use when unpacked.

Travel Items

Travel vacuum bags are perfect when packing a suitcase for a vacation or an important trip.

• Pack more clothes in the same suitcase.
• Keep clean and dirty clothes separated.
• A small pump like the VacBird VacEase Mini makes it possible to repack on your return trip, too.

Items You Should Avoid Vacuum Compressing

We have many benefits of vacuum sealing many items of our everyday use in homes and on trips. We also need to learn all those items that are not good enough to pack in vacuum bags because of potential damage.

Items to avoid include:

• Delicate fabrics may get permanent creases that are not recoverable even after ironing.

  ※ Silk

  ※ Lace

  ※ Velvet

  ※ Chiffon

  ※ Cashmere
• Down pillows or long-term feather duvets clump and lose fluffiness on vacuum compression 
• Leather and Suede dry out and crack when compressed. They also lose their natural shape.
• Memory foam products are not suitable, as the foam structure may not bounce back after compression.
• Puffer jackets and down coats compress well but lose insulation if stored too long. The down filling can clump and never fully expand again. Such items are good to vacuum seal only for traveling reasons. 
• Don't put everyday clothes in vacuum storage bags, as constant compressing and decompressing causes wear.
• Clothes with beads, sequins or embroidery break or snag inside the bag. They even damage the plastic of the bag. 
• People use vacuum bags for stuffed toys and plush items. Some think that vacuum compression may damage their shape and softness.
• Everyone knows that small amounts of moisture cause mildew or bad smells inside sealed bags. You can only put damp and dirty clothes in a vacuum bag for a few hours or a day, only during traveling. 
• Structured garments are not good to put in vacuum bags, as suits, blazers, and coats with padding lose their structure when pressed flat.

How to Use Vacuum Seal Bags Properly

You have the best vacuum storage bags and pump, and know what to put, but you can make mistakes and ruin your items. This happens only if you don't know the correct use of these compression bags. Let's see. 

Preparation

• Wash and dry items completely.
• Fold or roll neatly.
• Don't overfill your bags and leave some space near the zipper. It saves your bag from weakening. 
• Avoid overfilling, as this weakens the bag.

Choosing the Right Bag Size

• Small bags: T-shirts, thin clothes.
• Medium bags: sweaters, towels.
• Large bags: blankets, bedding.

VacBird Vacuum Storage Bags come in multiple sizes for different needs. Pick something like this one for easy storage. 

Sealing and Vacuuming

• Seal the zipper tightly before vacuuming.
• Take your mini pump and attach it to the valve of the bag. With the VacBird VacEase Mini, you get a USB-powered compact pump that works quickly without heavy effort.
• Let the air out until the bag shrinks flat.
• Check for leaks around the valve.

Storage Environment

• Pick a cool and dry place to store your bags.
• Don't put your plastic bag near sharp objects.
• Avoid direct sunlight as it weakens the plastic.

Duration of Storage

• Short-term is good for safe travel or seasonal changes.
• Long-term is suitable, but give items a break by opening the bag every 6–12 months. This helps fabrics regain shape.

Making Vacuum Compression Effortless with the VacBird VacEase Mini

Many people avoid vacuum storage because it feels time-consuming. Is it possible to take your vacuum cleaner everywhere just for vacuum sealing a small plastic bag? Not at all. And you don't need it because you have reliable tools for your help. One has the name VacBird VacEase Mini. 

Features of the VacBird VacEase Mini

• Compact USB-powered pump which is small and light, so easy for travel.
• Bags available in 3 sizes, suitable for clothes and king size blankets.
• Long-side opening makes it simple to fit in big items like bedding.
• Thick PA+PE material is durable, which makes these bags reusable and eco-friendly.

Practical Uses of VacEase Mini

• Pack extra clothes in your suitcase without worrying about space.
• Store heavy blankets during the off-season.
• Organize guest bedding neatly without taking over closet space.
• Best for traveling as you take it with you, which helps you in sealing bags and items during travel after opening them at the airport or hotel. 

Avoid compressing delicate items even when using VacBird bags. The pump and material are reliable, but the fabric itself may not tolerate pressure.

What are Common Mistakes People Make and How to Avoid Them 

Mistakes ruin your storage in minutes, irrespective of how durable your vacuum storage bags and pumps are. 

• Over-packing makes sealing harder and increases leaks.
• Sealing damp clothes leads to mold.
• Using the wrong items, like delicate fabrics and leather, never helps in compression. 
• Poor sealing ruins storage. Double-check the zipper and valve.
• Storing in damp areas of garages and basements often causes moisture buildup.
• Long-term compression destroys items. Release air every few months to keep clothes in good condition. 

FAQs

Does compression destroy the material of clothes?

No. Compressing only ruins clothing when you put unsuitable clothes in the bag. If you use durable fabrics like cotton or polyester and avoid keeping them compressed for too long, nothing happens to them if you seal them properly. Delicate fabrics are not suitable as they get permanent creases or lose shape.

Does compression make the clothes heavier?

No at all. Compression only removes air from the bag and makes the items compact to take up less space. The weight of the items remains the same. The only difference is reduced bulk, which makes packing easier.

Does compression make cloth wrinkle?

A little drawback is that wrinkling happens to some fabrics. Cotton wrinkles, but you can iron it. Silk and cashmere are not suitable for vacuum compression because the creases are not recoverable. 

Conclusion

Vacuum compression is always helpful for homeowners and travelers as it helps in organizing clothes and bedding properly in less space. You can enjoy this help if you know which items to store and which to avoid. Durable fabric clothing and blankets compress well, but you can’t put delicate or structured items in these bags because of potential damage. 

Using the right tools also matters. The VacBird VacEase Mini makes the process simple with its compact pump and strong bags. You’ll enjoy neat, space-saving storage without ruining your belongings if you prepare your items properly and avoid common mistakes.