Vacuum bags – what are they, pros and cons, features of clothing and food products

vacuum bags how to use how to choose storage rules

Popular wisdom says: “In order to make room for something new, you need to get rid of something old.” We’ll tell you how to free up a lot of space in your apartment by simply packing bulky items for storage correctly.

Vacuum bags are a useful invention of mankind, appreciated by experienced housewives. They are specially designed for the careful storage of warm blankets and pillows, home textiles, down jackets, jackets, sweaters, and seasonal children's clothing. With their help, bulky items will take up 2-3 times less space, and your shelves will be in perfect order.

What are vacuum bags?

In developed countries, vacuum storage has been used for more than half a century. Many housewives appreciate the benefits of this approach, but not everyone has an idea of ​​what vacuum bags look like. They are rectangular transparent bags made of dense polyethylene with the addition of nylon. Most models are equipped with a special polypropylene valve with a protective membrane for pumping out air, after which it will not get inside again thanks to the Sure-Zip lock.

The principle of how a vacuum bag works is based on removing air from the bag mechanically, using a vacuum cleaner or a special apparatus. In a matter of seconds, the volume of contents is reduced by more than half. This allows you to compactly store even a large wardrobe or conveniently pack your suitcases. Special food bags extend the shelf life of products and keep them fresh for a long time.

Useful vacuum

The vacuum bag is a packaging case made of very dense polyethylene (up to 100 microns) with a zip-lock fastener and a valve to remove air.

The operating principle is based on the properties of vacuum - airless space. By reducing the pressure in a closed bag, we create an environment in which oxidation processes slow down, thermal conductivity and moisture absorption decrease, and the living conditions for living organisms disappear.

The advantages of this type of packaging are undeniable:

• Protection . High barrier properties and sealed packaging reliably protect the contents from dust, foreign odors, dampness, and harmful insects.

• Durability. The mechanical strength of the material, the design of the lock and valve allow you to use the bag repeatedly, removing clothes or textiles from it as needed.

• Convenience . Transparent plastic makes it easy to navigate the contents and quickly find the thing you need.

• Super compact . Products compressed under pressure decrease in volume several times, significantly saving space on shelves.

Vacuum bags - pros and cons

Vacuum packaging, beloved by many, has many undeniable advantages:

1. Significant savings in closet or suitcase space. After removing the air, the volume of the contents is reduced by approximately 60-70%. This solves the problem of storing a large number of things in small dressing rooms.
2. Vacuum bags are suitable for storing things of different shapes, weights, volumes and materials. You can pack down jackets, pillows, blankets, and baby clothes in them.
3. Protection against dust, moisture and unpleasant odors.
4. All harmful insects, aerobic bacteria and fungi die in a vacuum, so moths and other pests are not afraid of things in such packaging.
5. Extending the shelf life of products. Due to the fact that most microorganisms cannot live without air, food in a vacuum, subject to other storage conditions, does not spoil much longer.
6. Convenience and speed of use.
7. Multiple uses.

Among the disadvantages of using it are possible to note:

1. It is impossible to store some food products and textiles in such packaging.
2. The need to air things out every six months.
3. The container can be damaged by a zipper or fastener, thereby breaking its seal.
4. After the vacuum, many folds and creases remain on things, which can only be smoothed out with the help of steam.

Vacuum bags for clothes

The most popular area of ​​application for vacuum bags is storing clothes. Some housewives use them to compactly place out-of-season clothes in closets, which normally take up a lot of space. Others put items in bags that they rarely use - fancy dress costumes, baby clothes saved for future babies, spare bedding and sleep supplies. Vacuum bags for things have several varieties that need to be selected correctly based on the purposes and terms of use.

Types of vacuum bags

Based on the type of design, manufacturers produce three types of vacuum bags:

1. With a valve, from which the air must be sucked out with a vacuum cleaner or a small pump, often included in the kit.
2. Vacuum bags with hanger and valve. They are convenient to use for vertical storage of things on rods and to take with you on business trips.
3. Compression products that do not have a valve. The air is removed mechanically by rolling up the bag and its contents. The compression efficiency is not so high, but it is convenient to use when traveling

By type of internal content there are:

1. Standard bags.
2. Scented vacuum bags that add a light aroma to items even after long-term storage.

The bags also differ in size:

1. The smallest ones are marked S. Depending on the manufacturer, their sizes vary from 45x35 cm to 50x60 cm. Suitable for small items and clothing with a total weight of no more than 3 kg.
2. Vacuum bags of size M can be from 50x70 cm to 70x90 cm. They are suitable for storing demi-season bedding weighing up to 5 kg.
3. Large bags marked L are suitable for storing bulky and heavy winter items, pillows and blankets.

Preparing things for storage: step-by-step steps

In every home there is always something to pack for storage - guest bedding sets, winter blankets and blankets, warm pullovers, soft toys and much more. Let's look at a step-by-step guide to using a vacuum bag.

Only clean and dry items can be stored in a sealed case . If you do not follow this rule and pack them dirty or damp, you will be disappointed by the unpleasant musty smell of the second-hand store when you open the package. Therefore, the first step of preparation is washing, cleaning, high-quality drying and airing.

2. We sort all things by size, purpose, storage time . It is not advisable to put together a baby onesie, which will be needed in six months, and a spare blanket, which is needed every time guests arrive. A variety of grades will increase the number of depressurization options and shorten the service life of the product. For small items, use compact bags 60x50 cm, 75x55 cm, for bulky outerwear - hanging covers 90x70 cm or 125x70 cm.

Important! In order not to damage the vacuum cover, all accessories that can tear it (buckles, zippers, rivets, etc.) should be hidden inside or covered with other clothing.

3. Place the prepared items in a plastic bag - carefully, evenly distributing the contents in the corners and perimeter of the package and without overloading. Make sure that all metal fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers are wrapped inside and do not damage the plastic. There should be enough things for the lock to close easily. Using a special clip, we tightly clamp the fastener and run along the seam several times, checking the tightness.

4. The next step is sealing . To do this, remove the lid and turn the valve slightly so that it opens. We pump out the air using a regular vacuum cleaner, placing it against the hole. Do this in the lowest power mode, slowly, pressing lightly with your hand and helping the air escape evenly. The finished package should be smooth, firm and at least 2 times smaller than the original volume. After finishing work, close the valve with the cap.

Vacuum bags for storing things - how to use?

After purchasing, it is important to understand how to use vacuum bags. If used incorrectly, the entire positive effect of this type of storage is reduced to zero. Stages of use:

1. All things must be prepared in advance - washed, dried well and sorted into groups according to the volume of the package.
2. To avoid damaging the polyethylene, turn all clothing with zippers, metal buttons and rivets inside out. If this is not possible, then the parts should be wrapped in soft cloth.
3. Vacuum bags for storing large items, like smaller ones, are not completely filled. You should retreat approximately 10 cm from the edge.
4. Things are placed neatly in a pile. There is no need to place materials that do not allow air to pass under the valve.
5. After placing the contents, the lock must be tightly fastened.
6. A vacuum cleaner hose or a special pump is inserted into the valve, which pumps out air no more than 30 cm. Prolonged use can lead to deformation of clothing.

How to open a vacuum bag with clothes?

When you need things, vacuum bags for storing clothes you need:

1. Remove from shelf or hanger if using a vacuum bag with a hook.
2. Carefully unfasten the special zipper.
3. Pull out the items you need and shake them lightly. If all storage conditions have been met, the item will look neat and smell fresh. It will only need to be smoothed out well.
4. Down and feather products should be taken out several hours before use so that they have time to smoothly restore their original shape.

What things cannot be stored in vacuum bags?

When packing a wardrobe, some housewives are interested in whether a fur coat can be stored in a vacuum bag. Manufacturers indicate on the packaging of their products that this type of storage is not subject to:

1. Food products (special bags are sold for them).
2. Products made of natural or artificial leather.
3. Fur coats and outerwear with fur trim.
4. Wardrobe items with sharp edges and cutting elements.

Storage

In order for a vacuum bag to serve for a long time, a number of conditions must be met during storage, otherwise it may be damaged, as a result of which the seal will be broken and the bag will begin to absorb air:

• Do not keep packages near sharp, piercing or cutting objects.
• You should not overload the bag by stuffing into it an excessively large number of things or large clothes that do not match the dimensions of the bag itself.
• Do not keep the package at temperatures below zero, for example, on the balcony in winter.
• Do not keep the package at excessively high temperatures, for example, near radiators or a stove.
• Empty bags should be stored in an upright position or rolled into a roll without over-tightening them.
• Purchase packages of appropriate quality. Cheap options will quickly begin to become damaged and allow air to leak in places where there are creases and bends.

Important! If the integrity of the package is damaged, it can be repaired by sealing the hole or crack with tape.

Vacuum bags for products

Increasingly, vacuum food bags for home use have begun to appear on store shelves. Due to the fact that there is no air in them, products are not subject to rotting from bacteria and oxidative processes. However, even in such packaging, other storage requirements for specific types of food must be observed:

• air temperature and humidity;
• exposure to sunlight.

Vacuum food bags allow, subject to other rules, to extend the shelf life of food by 2-3 times. Thus, cookies with a shelf life of 1 week in a vacuum will last 2-3, and frozen semi-finished products will last 1.5-2 years instead of the usual 6 months. More and more producers of meat products and cheeses give preference to vacuum packaging, which preserves the freshness and taste of their products.

Types of vacuum bags for products

Food can be packaged in different bags. They are:

1. Disposable
   . These are more often used in production using a special vacuum packer.
2. Reusable
   . After use, such a vacuum bag with a valve must be washed and dried, and then the products must be packed into it again.

Vacuum food bags are distinguished by material and structure:

1. Standard ones
   are made of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or multilayer film.
2. Heat-shrinkable
   bags have increased strength. They can even be used to pack bone-in meat and seafood with hard edges.
3. Corrugated
   products have high strength and are therefore suitable for various types of products. They can only be used in conjunction with a household vacuum sealer.
4. metallized
   bags protect the contents from exposure to sunlight.

Advantages of vacuum packaging

Vacuuming, which prevents oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and foreign aromas from entering the internal space, allows you to:

• protect the contents from dirt, moisture, oxidation;
• prevent drying out;
• preserve the aroma and other qualities of the product;
• prevent the possibility of development of pathogenic microorganisms;
• improve the quality of food - cheese, fruits, and vegetables are ripened in vacuum packaging, while all their valuable nutritional properties are preserved;
• freeze the product for a long time without losing its consumer qualities;
• preserve the pleasant appearance of the product and demonstrate it to the buyer, thanks to the transparency of the films.

Vacuuming in factory conditions is carried out in accordance with sanitary and hygienic rules, violation of which leads to the appearance and development of anaerobic bacteria, which can cause irreparable harm to human health.

Vacuum bags for food - how to use?

At home, vacuum packaging of products can be carried out using a special household device or a hand pump. The packaging stages are as follows:

1. Rinse the products thoroughly under running water. Dry them.
2. Remove any unnecessary elements, such as bones or skin, from meat products.
3. Place the pieces throughout the entire package. Experts do not recommend putting large amounts of food in one bag. It is better to make portion packaging.
4. Place the open end into the special compartment of the vacuum sealer and turn on the machine. The device will independently pump out all the air and seal the seam.
5. With the manual method, the pump is inserted into a special valve and the air is pumped out to the desired level. After the procedure, the valve must be closed well.

How to open a vacuum bag?

It is necessary to open bags for vacuum packaging of food products based on their design:

1. Reusable packages have special locks through which food is both folded in and taken out. To remove food, the zip lock just needs to be unfastened.
2. Disposable bags are opened along the seam line. This can be done conveniently with scissors or a sharp knife.

Vacuum bag pump

Some vacuum packaging bags are sold in kits that include bags of different sizes and a special pump. It can be of two types:

1. The most common is manual or mechanical. It is convenient and easy to use. For domestic use, such a device is quite enough. Pumping out air requires minimal use of physical force, so even the most fragile housewife can handle the device. If the device is not included in the kit, it can easily be purchased additionally.
2. An electric pump is much less common. If vacuum packaging is used frequently, then buyers prefer to purchase a special device - a vacuum sealer, which simultaneously pumps out air from the bag and seals the seam.

Why do vacuum bags leak air?

Vacuum bags for clothes with a pump are valued for their tightness, so if the product allows air to pass through, then the whole point of its use is lost. This can happen for the following reasons:

1. The valve is not closed or poorly closed. In some models, to open and close it, you need to unscrew the lid, remove the silicone pad and turn the switch to the “on” or “off” position. Products with a check valve do not have this problem.
2. The zipper is not closed properly. To compress it tightly, manufacturers advise walking with a special runner not once, but two or three times. For greater reliability, you can check the connection by hand.
3. The package is full. In this case, a microcrack could appear when pumping out air.
4. A hole appeared due to damage from sharp clothing parts or pets got into the product.
5. Incorrect storage conditions. In severe frost and near heating devices, microcracks may appear on polyethylene.
6. Manufacturing defect.

How to seal a vacuum bag?

If vacuum storage bags allow air to pass through and the damage is clearly visible, then do not try to seal it. Not a single modern material available at home guarantees good fixation and tightness. However, you can try to solder the polyethylene. To do this you need:

1. Press or wrap the damaged area with a metal ruler.
2. The seam area can be heated with the edge of an iron or an open source of fire - a match or lighter. This method requires compliance with all safety precautions.
3. The cost of modern polyethylene products is low, so if damaged, you can easily buy a new bag in the supermarket.

How to replace a vacuum bag?

There are not so many options for replacing special bags, because the product requires increased strength and tightness. For home storage the following may be suitable:

1. Vacuum film. It is used for special vacuum sealers and comes in different types. It differs in both length and width, and thickness.
2. An alternative to vacuum film would be special medical polyethylene, which is now difficult to find in pharmacies.
3. For home storage, some housewives use simple plastic bags with a Zip-lock lock, pumping air out of them through a small hole with a zipper.
4. The most budget-friendly option is to use durable garbage bags and a vacuum cleaner. One such method is still inferior to factory vacuum bags in strength and tightness.

If you are happy yourself, make someone else happy!

Vacuum bags are a great gift option. It will definitely please young parents, new residents and those who like to take everything apart. Perhaps there are no people left who would remain indifferent to such an innovation. Some people like this invention, while others simply haven’t tried it yet. The fact that in every second store you will definitely find vacuum bags, and even in assortment, speaks for itself. The only question is which one to choose. Having discovered all the benefits of this product, do not forget to share your impressions with your friends and acquaintances. Convenience and comfort for the masses!

The video shows how to use vacuum bags: