Vacuum packing clothes is a popular method for saving space, whether for travel or long-term storage. By removing air, vacuum-sealed bags compress garments, making them more compact and easier to store.
However, while vacuum packing offers several benefits, such as maximizing space and protecting items from moisture and pests, it also has drawbacks. Prolonged compression can damage delicate fabrics, and improper use can lead to wrinkling or loss of garment shape.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key benefits and potential downsides of vacuum packing clothes to help you decide if it’s the right solution for your storage needs.
Does vacuum packing clothes reduce weight?
Vacuum packing clothes is a popular method for saving space, especially when dealing with bulky items like jackets, sweaters, and blankets. However, one common misconception about vacuum-sealed bags is that they reduce the weight of the packed items. In reality, vacuum packing does not decrease the weight of your clothes—it only compresses the air from within and around the fabric, making the overall volume smaller.
Here’s why vacuum packing doesn’t affect the weight of your clothes:
- The weight remains constant: The weight of an item is determined by its mass, which doesn’t change when air is removed. The process of vacuum sealing simply removes the excess air between and within the fibers of the fabric, but the actual material of the clothes remains the same, so the weight doesn’t decrease.
- Space efficiency, not weight reduction: While vacuum-sealed bags are great for maximizing storage space and making it easier to pack clothes in tight areas, like suitcases or storage bins, they don’t help with reducing the physical load. For those looking to travel light, vacuum packing may help you fit more into your luggage, but you’ll still need to account for the total weight of the items you bring.
- Impact on travel: When traveling, particularly on flights where weight limits are enforced, vacuum-sealed bags can create the illusion of packing light, since your clothes take up less space. However, be mindful of the overall weight of your luggage, as it can still easily exceed airline weight limits even if you’re using vacuum bags.
In summary, vacuum packing is a space-saving technique, not a weight-reducing one. It’s ideal for compressing bulkier garments to make them more compact, but the weight of your clothes will remain unchanged.
Benefits of storing clothes in vacuum seal bags
First let's appreciate the advantages vacuum packing offers regarding space savings, protection and transport compared to traditional boxes and chests:
Extremely space efficient compression
Vacuum compression reduces textile volume down to 20% or less original size once air evacuated fully collapsing abundant air pockets woven inside fabrics. This condense ability proves extremely space conscious for maximizing limited storage square footage.
Protection from dust, bugs and moisture
The thick plastic barrier also keeps contents sealed off from ambient dust, lint and debris that settle naturally attracting bugs like carpet beetles and clothing moths seeking sheltered nesting spots to lay eggs in undisturbed. The airtight vacuum environment prevents musty odors too by controlling humidity levels inside.
Portable and reusable
Unlike bulky boxes, lightweight vacuum packed pouches easily slide under beds, onto closet shelves or behind furniture for accessing later. The compressing and sealing ability also makes vacuum storage ideal for frequent travelers consolidating wardrobe cubes efficiently. Being durable and washable, bags get reused saving money and waste.
However besides the obvious space optimization, vacuum packing holds several understated cons regarding appropriate fabrics and labor intensity. Maximizing your wardrobe space can be a challenge, but with a few clever closet organization hacks for small spaces, you can keep your garments neatly stored and easily accessible.
Drawbacks of storing clothes in vacuum storage
When using vacuum storage, it’s important to consider the limitations, especially regarding fabric sensitivities, the time investment, and the risk of imprinting damage.
Not suitable for all fabrics
The intense compression involved in vacuum sealing can be particularly harmful to structured garments like wedding dresses or tailored suits, where the pressure can permanently distort the shape. Delicate fabrics, such as chiffon or beaded garments, are also at risk, as natural rubber seals can snag and damage intricate threads or embellishments while keeping the bag airtight.
Labour-intensive compression process
Vacuum sealing, especially for larger items, can be physically demanding. Deflating puffer coats or large quilts requires a lot of manual work, with repeated pumping, pressing, and smoothing motions. For those with limited strength or conditions like arthritis, this process can be tiring, often taking hours to fully compress bulky items and remove trapped air.
Risk of creasing fabrics
If garments like linen shirts or cashmere sweaters are not smoothed properly before vacuum sealing, the pressure can embed deep creases, making it difficult to restore them to their original appearance. These compressed folds may require extensive ironing or steaming to undo the damage caused by improper packing.
Considering these drawbacks, let’s now explore the best fabrics and items for vacuum sealing.
Best fabrics and items for vacuum sealing
Some fabrics are naturally more resilient to compression and handle the forces of vacuum sealing well due to their elastic properties. Additionally, certain items store flat without needing special care to maintain their shape.
Off-season cool weather bedding
Cotton, linen, and bamboo fiber summer duvets can be vacuum sealed into compact bricks to free up space for winter blankets. These materials are resilient and will fluff back into shape once the compression is released, making them ideal candidates for vacuum storage.
T-shirts, yoga pants, and pajamas
Light to medium-weight casual clothes, such as T-shirts and sweats, can be vacuum-sealed without worry. Since these items are already prone to wrinkling, any creases that form during compression are minimal and will naturally ease out after airing. Vacuum sealing these off-season basics is an easy and guilt-free way to free up space.
Hand towels, runners, and napkins
Take advantage of durable, breathable fabrics like cotton terry and linen by vacuum-sealing stacks of guest towels, table runners, and napkins. These items can be compactly stored without compromising their quality, keeping them dust-free and ready for immediate use once retrieved from storage.
Problematic fabrics for vacuum bags
Avoid vacuum packing:
Delicate and textured fabrics
Avoid vacuum packing fabrics like chiffon, beaded garments, sequins, and lace trims. These delicate materials can easily be crushed under pressure, causing them to stick together and pull against the sealed bag's ridges. This increases the risk of fabric tearing during compression and expansion. Vacuum sealing these fabrics can lead to irreparable damage, making it unsuitable for delicate items.
Tailored suits and bridal gowns
Garments with structured tailoring, such as suits and bridal gowns, are particularly vulnerable to vacuum packing. The pressure can warp critical elements like waist darts, bust seams, and other tailored shapes, leading to permanent distortions that professional pressing cannot fully fix. These garments require support to maintain their architecture during storage, so hanging wardrobes or professional storage methods are better suited to preserving their form.
Winter chunky knitwear
Thick knitwear, including sweaters and crocheted coats, can resist full compression in vacuum bags. The tightly packed loops and air pockets within these fabrics don’t compress evenly, often leaving some areas squashed while others remain puffy and misshapen. This uneven compression can stress the yarns and result in awkward bulges after storage. Instead of vacuum-sealing, opt for oversized breathable boxes that allow knits to retain their loft without crushing the fabric.
Tips for using vacuum bags
By following these precautions and choosing the right items for vacuum sealing, you can safely store your garments while minimizing the risk of damage.
Pre-contain delicate items in breathable garment bags
For more delicate items like camisoles, formal suits, or loosely woven knits, place them inside lightweight mesh laundry bags before using vacuum storage. This helps protect the fabric from direct contact with the plastic bag’s zipper or seals, which can snag or shred delicate materials. Mesh bags also allow air to escape during compression without pulling on the fabric.
Gently manipulate air pockets during compression
When working with large items like quilts or down jackets, avoid the urge to stomp or pound on vacuum bags to force air out quickly. Instead, pump slowly and pause periodically to gently press and manipulate any stubborn air pockets by hand. Methodically work across the surface, pressing out air in sections, and allow time for full compression, especially with larger bags.
Smooth wrinkles and fold meticulously
When preparing clothing for vacuum storage, use the recommended Marie Kondo vertical folding technique. This method keeps garments compact and organized, making them easier to pack and retrieve. By folding clothes vertically, they take up less space, and the fabric is less likely to crease or wrinkle when compressed.
Incorporate cedar wood while vacuum packing
For added protection against fabric damaging moths seeking dark undisturbed crevices to spawn future feeding frenzies, include pieces of aromatic eastern red cedar when vacuum sealing woolens, silks and other animal fiber based fabrics.
The natural oil extracts in cedar wood release microscopic particles that disrupt pests' ability to detect suitable sites for laying eggs or nursing. Historically, this has effectively deterred moths without the need for chemical-laden mothballs, which can leave harmful residues. Unlike vacuum-sealed storage, where depleted air already limits hatching threats, cedar provides ongoing protection without introducing questionable chemicals into the storage environment.
Use cedar blocks or cedar-filled sachets
Place cedar blocks or cedar chip-filled sachets between layers of folded sweaters and delicate fabrics before vacuum sealing. Cedar provides a natural pest deterrent without harmful chemicals. Be careful to avoid direct contact between the cedar and light-colored fabrics, as prolonged exposure can transfer tannins that may cause discoloration. For a more mobile infusion, you can place cedar sachets inside totes or under-bed storage bags.
Provides humidity control too
In addition to repelling pests, cedar wood helps regulate humidity by gently absorbing excess moisture, preventing mold growth if the vacuum seal is ever compromised. This moisture control feature keeps your garments fresher and adds an extra layer of protection for long-term storage between seasonal uses.
Cedar wood is a helpful ally in vacuum-sealing wardrobes for the off-season. Regularly check for pests to ensure successful storage, and you’ll be able to wear your favorite pieces again with confidence!
Overall benefits
When carefully choosing suitable items and using proper precautions to minimize creasing, vacuum packing condenses large amounts of seasonal clothing into compact spaces. This method effectively protects textiles from bugs, dust, and moisture. By preparing garments properly and packing slowly and methodically, you can store your wardrobe neatly and keep everything ready for easy access as the seasons change.
.png){kind=small}