If you’re tight on closet space, vacuum seal storage bags can help you organize off-season clothes and keep extra bedding and towels manageable, minimizing the amount of space they take up. “The main benefits are space and protection. Removing the air significantly reduces the volume of bulky items, and the sealed bag keeps out dust, moisture, odors, and moths,” says Salvador Villarreal, owner of dry cleaning company VIP Cleaners in San Diego. “That makes them ideal for off-season storage in closets, under beds, or in garages.”
With the right vacuum bag, items like bulky sweaters and fluffy blankets can also be reduced down to a quarter of their original size — if not smaller. To help you find the best options, I spoke to Villarreal and a professional organizer about what to look for when shopping. Then I rounded up some of the best vacuum storage bags based on their expert guidance, making it easy for you to shop for what you need.
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The best vacuum storage bags
While drawers are best for clothes you wear every day, vacuum storage bags are best for storing clothing or bedding that you might only wear or use a few months out of the year, according to Villarreal. To find the best vacuum storage bags for seasonal clothing and bedding, We asked Villarreal and other experts for their guidance and recommendations. We also sourced highly-rated options that aligned with the guidance they provided.
Best overall
These bags, which have over 90,000 ratings on Amazon (with a 4.3 average), are available in sets of large and jumbo bags, and a variety pack that includes the different sizes. All Spacesaver bags come with a triple-sealed valve and a hand pump, and are made from tear-resistant plastic, according to Spacesaver. People who bought them say they love how easy they are to use and that they’re great for storing items like winter apparel and even stuffed animals.
Best for large items
This set includes 10 jumbo-size vacuum storage bags, which are perfect for storing items like comforters, pillows, quilts and much more. Each bag has a double zipper closure, which helps block out moisture and dust, according to the brand. Plus, the bags lay flat, which makes them easy to stack on top of each other in a closet or storage bin. The set comes with a hand pump, but you can also use a handheld tool from a vacuum to remove the air. Shoppers also say they’re great for storing jackets.
Best size combinations
For about $30, you get 20 bags of various sizes, including extra-large bags that can fit large bedding (think comforters and pillows). The bags have a double zipper to keep them tightly closed and come with a hand pump to easily compress them. Keep in mind that some customers have noted that over time they’ll need to be resealed and re-pumped, but in some cases just a few, not all of the bags.
Best for clothing storage
My bedroom closet is on the smaller side, so I store clothes I’m not wearing in these bags and tuck them under my bed. The medium size fits about eight sweaters and you get five in a pack, making these bags ideal storage for someone with a lot of clothes. I find that they give me enough space to store my summer wardrobe in the winter and winter wardrobe in the summer. The bags come with a handpump and the sealed valve feels super durable. They come in medium, large, jumbo and x-jumbo sizes, and a multipack that includes a few of each size.
Best for bedding
You may know Hefty as a trash bag brand, but they also make these durable plastic vacuum bags. The jumbo bags can hold two pillows and a comforter, according to the brand, so they’re ideal for summer months when you want to put away your winter bedding. You can compress the bags by rolling them to push air out or by attaching a vacuum hose to the valve — they don’t come with a hand pump.
Best budget
This set comes with 12 vacuum bags — three jumbo, three large, three medium and three small. The valve you use to compress works with the included hand pump or can be attached to your vacuum hose. The bags are made from a thick plastic meant to last and that will keep moisture and mildew out, according to the brand. They’re already inexpensive, but because the set includes a variety of sizes and a lot of bags for the money, it’s the best value on this list.
Best for travel and large storage
If you have a ton of items you need to store, consider this set. It includes up to 35 bags (available in smaller amounts too) in different sizes — including jumbo for items like comforters and small for things like tops and pants. The set also includes travel roll-up bags, which you can use to save space in your suitcase.
How I picked the best vacuum storage bags
To put together a list of the best vacuum storage bags, I asked experts for tips on what to look for when shopping. Here is what they suggested:
- Durability: “Look for durable materials and a reliable sealing mechanism,” says Barbara Tanaka, a professional organizer at Orderly Balanced and strategic interior design advisor at Real Estate Bees. The ideal vacuum bag is made from a thick plastic and has a sealing mechanism that is not flimsy or easily breakable — this will help preserve your items more pristinely.
- Size variety: If you plan to store multiple types of items, look for sets of vacuum storage bags with multiple size options. You can use large bags for items like coats and blankets, and smaller bags for intimates and accessories.
- Vacuum method: How you compress a bag depends on the brand you buy. Some vacuum storage bags come with a hand pump to compress them. But you should also make sure the bags are compatible with a regular vacuum, says Villarreal, such as the crevice tool attachment that comes with most cordless and upright vacuums. The labels on vacuum storage bags often say whether or not they are compatible and/or if you have to use a hand pump.
- Multi-seal closure: Villarreal also recommends shopping for vacuum storage bags that have a “double-zip or triple-seal closure,” which helps thoroughly keep out moisture, dust, air and other elements. Several of the vacuum storage bags above have multiple zipper closures.
How to use vacuum storage bags
This, experts say, is how you can make the most of your vacuum storage bags, which helps you make more space in your home, room or closets:
- Prioritize bulky items: You can certainly store silk tops in a storage bag, but chances are you won’t be able to compress them to a size that much smaller than they naturally are when folded. You’ll notice the biggest space saving on items like comforters, sweaters and coats, says Tanaka. Just know that there is no danger in storing smaller items this way. In fact, if you have lots of smaller items to store — like baby clothes — it can be a helpful way to keep everything together (and organized).
- Store clean clothes only: Do not store dirty items in these bags. If you do, when you compress the bags, you will just intensify odor or cause dirt to sink in deeper. Only freshly laundered items should be vacuum sealed. “Stains that look invisible, such as body oils, deodorant, and food, can oxidize and set over time, and they attract insects,” says Villarreal. “Items should also be completely dry before sealing, since trapped moisture can cause mildew.”
- Be conscientious of timing: The experts I spoke with suggest not storing items in a vacuum bag for longer than six months. If you do, you may notice your items lose shape or get deep creases that are tough to remove.
- Store wisely: To maximize their effectiveness, avoid storing them in a super hot or humid space. If you have no choice, make sure the valve is closed properly to prevent damage.
Meet our experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Salvador Villarreal is the owner of dry cleaning service VIP Cleaners based in San Diego.
- Barbara Tanaka is a professional organizer at Orderly Balanced and the strategic interior design advisor at Real Estate Bees, a growth platform for real estate professionals.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about double cleansing, walking shoes, FSA-eligible items and more. For this story, I interviewed three organization experts about vacuum storage bags.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Selected. He contributed to the reporting of this story.
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