Instead of buying those high priced bags to store things in like clothes and bedding etc., you can take the garbage bags, fill it up with jackets or bedding or what ever. Then put the vacuum cleaner hose in it, and suck the air out then tie of and it will do the same thing as those high priced bags. I have stored many things that way for a long time. They work great.
By Tera from Stockton, CA
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I have been doing this for years and it has been such a big help. I don't go buy those costly shrink bags; I use regular garbage bags and pull the tie and even tape the end of the bag for great sealing purposes.
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Please, can someone give me some advice? I tried using black bin bags and the vacuum cleaner to suck the air out instead of the more expensive space bags, so far, so good. They worked great for storing clothes in the closet "except" that I don't know what to tie them off with so the air doesn't escape from them. Any suggestions please, for what I can use to securely tie them off so they don't grow big again? Thanks so much.
By cettina from Malta, Europe
One technique is to tie a knot in the bag itself. I have tried using those little ties and they don't work for long. You will not be able to fill the bag as full, and you will have to be very fast.
I twist the plastic bag top and fold it over to keep the air out while I wind heavy elastic bands onto the twisted/folded piece.
There was a tip here not long ago that would work really well for this task! I can't find the tip now but what you do is cut the top off of a used water or soda bottle just below the neck of the bottle under the little 'ring' (the little ring that ends up being there after taking the cap off the bottle).
Deeli, I know exactly what you mean and its a great idea! So much easier later on when I want to open the bag. Thanks so much for a brilliant suggestion.
Thanks, Cett :-) I think what made it come to mind is because it truly is similar to the idea of how those space bags are closed anyway. I can't help but wonder if placing them on before vacuuming out the air would work too?
Deeli, your idea of attaching the bottle top (you know what I mean) first, then vacuuming out the air is a wonderful idea! saves time and you don't let extra air inside the bag.
Cett, you're such a doll for letting me know it works for the air vacuuming too! Yay, Yay, Yay! :-)
No prob Deeli. Was the least I could do after such a great suggestion. You have to cup your hand around the "bottle" opening and the vacuum nozzle so that the vacuum can work properly, but that's a small price to pay.
That's such a great idea with the bottle top and cap! Unfortunately, if you're using a really thick bag, the cap may not want to thread back on too well. I've found a way around this that involves forgoing the cap in favor of a cork! You just have to find a bottle top (most water and soda bottles are fine) to fit the cork (most plain ones from a wine bottle do great), and the benefit of this is being able to squash it in quickly!
That's a great tip can't wait to try it. You explained it perfectly. Thanks
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I read in your column awhile back about someone using black trash bags and the vacuum cleaner to make a large space bag. Does anyone remember this?
