5 genius ways I use vacuum storage bags around my small home, from protecting precious items to doubling my storage space

Struggling for space is a storage woe most of us are familiar with. Be it a closet that is full-to-bursting, or sentimental items we simply cannot part with, there never seems to be quite enough space to hold everything we own.

That's where I fall back on vacuum storage bags, squashing clothing and soft items down to take up less than half the space they usually do.

Here are all the ways I benefit from vacuum storage bags to organize a small house with no storage, with expert tips to keep your items safe from damage.

Every way I use vacuum storage bags in my small home

From long-term clothes storage to organizing a freezer, there is very little vacuum storage can't do to improve your storage spaces. Simply load them with soft items that don't have zips, other metal hardware, or sharp edges, and use your vacuum to suck the air out.

1. Storing off-season clothing

I have to manage my clothes storage carefully to organize my awkward closet. The solution is keeping half my clothes on the rail at a time, with the other half safely tucked away in vacuum storage bags, available in packs of 30 from Amazon, in under-bed storage ideas.

To keep this storage well-organized, Maria Anderson, an organizing consultant with Henfield Storage says, ‘Make sure to sort the clothing items by season before packing them and name each bag by season. This will simplify finding and rotating the clothes as seasons change.’ Using a Sharpie pen, available at Walmart, ensures the label doesn't come off the bag in storage.

2. Keep sentimental items safe

I am not in the habit of decluttering sentimental items, especially items that have been made specially for me by family members. For example, my grandmother, an avid sewer, hand-crafted a gorgeous quilt for me when I turned 18. Now that I have moved away, the quilt isn’t used as often, so I keep it in a vacuum storage bag to help protect it from damage. The vacuum seal keeps the fabric safe from pests, moisture changes, and snags, ensuring that it stays looking as beautiful as the day she finished it.

This is also a great way to store sentimental hand-me-downs, adds Max Wilson, co-founder at Pocket Storage. He says, ‘Vacuum bags are the perfect solution for storing hand-me-downs. Whether you're going to have another child or someday pass on some clothes for grandchildren, vacuum bags save space and money.

'However, do put away some time to sort and label by size, from newborn to toddler and up, in a labeled container for easy access. This simple process helps keep your home organized and allows you to make the most of valuable storage space.’

These multi-use labels from Walmart make categorizing your long-term vacuum storage a little simpler.

To ensure no moisture can damage your clothing, consider putting a silica gel packet, available at Walmart, in the vacuum bag to absorb moisture.

3. Keep spare bedding under wraps

I wish I had enough space in my small house for even small linen closet storage ideas, but alas, I have to make do with under-bed storage, especially as you shouldn’t store bedding in your closet.

Given that I like to switch between the best cooling comforter and the best warm comforter depending on the season, I rely on vacuum storage bags to make them less bulky, saving space in my storage crates for other bed linens that I need to access weekly.

Before packing bedding away, Maria says, ‘The only thing one needs to ensure is that the bedding is completely dry. Sealing moist bedding can lead to mildew growth and damage to the fabric. Additionally, smooth out items inside the bag to avoid deep wrinkles.’

4. Maximizing packing space

I have moved house five times in the last six years, going back and forth from college before moving into my current rental. As a result, I have gotten the whole ‘packing up everything you own’ thing aced.

I put vacuum storage bags at the top of my moving house checklist, using them for anything made of fabric. This means squishing down clothes, linens, towels, and even soft furnishings such as throw pillows. The result is fewer boxes and suitcases that I have to carry around with me.

They also help fold clothes for packing for vacation, especially for those shorter trips when I only want to take a carry-on bag. One word of warning – just because the items now look visually smaller and take up less room, doesn't mean they weigh any less. I have certainly forgotten this fact in the past and nearly thrown my back out trying to lift my entire wardrobe in one go!

Maria adds, ‘To make the most of packing bags, roll the clothes tightly before placing them in the bag to maximize suitcase space while packing. These bags can also help separate dirty laundry from clean clothes during return journeys.’

5. Keep food fresh

I don’t use the same bags I use for my clothes and linens, of course, but food bags and a small vacuum sealing tool. Vacuum storage bags are one of the best food storage ideas to reduce food waste.

This food storage trick to extend the life of your groceries sucks all the oxygen out – a key factor in food spoilage – to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria, extending the shelf life of fresh food, be it leftovers or freshly bought produce.

Meet the experts

Maria Anderson

Maria started as a residential organizer, helping clients make the most of their available home space before moving on to commercial organizing consulting, optimizing solutions and efficiency.

FAQs

Is it better to roll or fold items in vacuum storage?

It is generally better to fold clothes and stack them on top of one another, rather than roll them in vacuum storage bags. This helps with compression, allowing the bag to sit flatter when all the air is sucked out, saving space.

While vacuum bags are one item professional organizers can’t live without, helping to make more space in vital home storage ideas, Max Wilson warns, ‘It can be tempting to pack a storage bag to its absolute limit, especially when trying to maximize space. However, overfilling can lead to tears, stretching, or reduced effectiveness.

'In vacuum storage bags, overpacking can prevent proper air removal, limiting compression and defeating the purpose. For packing bags and other storage solutions, leaving a little extra room allows for better air circulation, helping to protect your items and maintain the bag’s durability for future use.’