Space bags?

Question

Does anyone use them? Are they worth the cost? Are there cheaper alternatives that are of equal or better quality?

They are just called Space Bags. They're the big plastic air/water-tight bags you can store things in. You put the items in the bag, seal it, and use a vacuum to suck the air out of it to kind of shrink the package down. They supposedly minimize storage space and keep bugs, mites, dust and moisture out. My husband and I are relocating for his job, moving to an apartment from a 3-bedroom home, so we need to find a way to maximize storage space. I thought something like this would be good for things we won't be using for a while (sleeping bags, baby clothes, etc.) to get them out of the way and use other organizing things like closet accessories for things we use year-round.

Answer 1

I bought several of the extra large Space Bags but I was disappointed with them. It was true that they shrunk large amounts of stuff down to much smaller, but the seal didn't hold and a few weeks later, I noticed they were all puffy again. I don't think the zip seal is the problem. Seems too easy to come loose. As a similar alternative, you can use garbage bags (thick ones) in the same manner, using the vaccuum cleaner, a quick hand to twist the bag then use duct tape to seal it. I did this, stacked a bunch of minimized bags in a large rubbermaid container to protect from getting punctured, and it seemed to work better. I stored a lot of stuffed animals this way.

Answer 2

I've been using Space Bags for about 4 years now (I have two bedrooms in my house, complete with two sets of bedding for each bed).

I'm not dazzled by the extra-large size space bag. The zipper never stays closed for me. I do use the medium and large bags, vacuum out the air then stack the bags (with contents) in my hall closet.

I'm be wary though, of keeping that stuff in the garage or something. I have had leaks before, but its a much better way to store big bulky seasonal items, that's for sure.

*I bought mine at Target.

Answer 3

I have another brand and they work pretty good. I got mine on QVC. If you don't get the real space bag brand, just make sure they are the kind you vacuum out and not squeeze the air out of. In one jumbo bag I put a comforter, ruffle, 2 sheets and 4 pillow cases and there is still room for more stuff. I stuffed a bunch of winter shirts into a medium size. Mine came with instructions to take the stuff out every 6 months to restore the loft but I had a comforter in one for 2 years and took it from the bag and put it right on my bed and it was fine.

Answer 4

Hey there, I bought a bunch of these bags in different sizes from Walmart, and I was pleased with the medium ones. Large and extra large, like the other posters have said, tend to NOT be airtight. I found a teeny hole in my XL ( I am sure it was my fault), and patching it with tape did no good. I really love them when they stay sealed, though. Oh, one more thing.. You have to stack things perfectly inside the bag before you suck out he air if you want them to be flat enough to stack; otherwise, the odd shape makes them harder to store anyway, since they don't stack like boxes, etc. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I use them and they work pretty well. .Although, the extra large bag doesn't stay airtight it does help for storage.. I have all my out of season clothes in a small hope chest.. I like the travel bags as well. You just squeeze the air out of them and you have triple the storage space.. It's nice especially if you are traveling to put your undies in them.. So the TSA isn't touching them !...

Answer 6

I haven't used them but hear they work pretty good. I wish I'd had them when I left for Katrina, I could've brought more with me (lost everything).

Answer 7

What type of bags are you talking about?