| Author | Content |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
March 29, 2007
3:29 PM Post #3334082
| [HYPERLINK@www.amazon.com]
My piles of down alternative comforters and pillows kept me warm and cozy all winter in an unheated room. Now its 87 (degrees F) in Alabama and destined to get hotter. Time to stow all those volumnous quilts, comforters, pillows, sweaters, thermal underwear, parkas, gloves and scarves.
Im looking at space bags to reduce these piles of down and down alternative to manageability. Anybody tried it? |
ByndeweedBeth
scio, oregon, OR
(Zone 8a)
March 29, 2007
3:30 PM Post #3334095
| I have always wondered if whatever you store in there would smell "musty" when you open them up. There is absolutely NO air circulation, but I can't say for sure. I haven't tried them. |
andidandi
March 29, 2007
3:47 PM Post #3334145
| I was at a shop this afternoon that had a sale on them, and demo set up. I bought a couple of them on sale.
I read online reviews and a consistent complaint was that once you shrink the item, the seal is not tight enough and the air seeps back in over the next day. I will experiment and report back.
As to the must question, the package does indicate that the items should be clean. |
WUVIE
Hulbert, OK
(Zone 7a)
March 29, 2007
3:51 PM Post #3334163
| I purchased a good number of these bags, none of which
I now own, because they all ended up with holes in them
or with broken seals.
Some of the brands are fine, but you have to put in the
blanket, carefully seal it and carefully open it. Quite frankly,
I was using them for blankets and such, too.
Needless to say, I've resorted back to big plastic lugs.
But others may have a positive experience.
:-) KM |
plantladyhou
Katy, TX
(Zone 8b)
March 29, 2007
4:00 PM Post #3334202
| You take all the air out when you use Space Bags. Without air, will bacteria and smells grow? I'd ask my chemist DDH but I don't have hours to listen to a lecture as opposed to yes or no LOL. As the owner of 4 beds - 1 king and 3 queen - it was imperative that I do something to get some space back when I needed to store the extra linens - sheets, bedspreads - and other things such as alternate pillows to be used on the beds and when we used the sofa bed. I tried the Space Bags and was wonderfully and thoroughly surprised at how well all went. They took up less than half the space normally needed and could be stored under the beds leaving the linen closet for other uses. Next I bagged a lot of excess towels. Great! Then out of season coats (we only use them about 3 months out of the year). Outstanding! There was never a wrinkle in anything and I tried putting some sachet in one of the bags w/the towels. Never smelled the sachet on the towels after they came out of the bags 4 months later. The sachet still smelled nice and strong as the day I put it in there so I guess that answers one question. Extra throw rugs, bath rugs, etc are compressed like you wouldn't believe and still no rot or smells or wrinkles. I have used and reused the bags and am thoroughly convinced that that's the way to go. I, of course, am not a seller of those bags or w/that company - I just love those bags!!!!!
Ann |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
March 29, 2007
4:21 PM Post #3334279
| I noticed there is a new variety, a space-bag tote which stacks. It has heavier sides and a window. So far they look to be about $20 ea, and where they are cheaper they are sold out. |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
March 29, 2007
4:29 PM Post #3334309
| [HYPERLINK@www.amazon.com]
This is the space bag tote.
I think there are better prices to be found. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
March 29, 2007
4:38 PM Post #3334354
| In answer to the question about if bacteria would grow because you take the air out of the bags...if you actually got all the air out, then they wouldn't grow, but these bags do not get 100% of the air out, and I'm sure the bit that's left is more than enough for bugs to grow. But if you make sure everything's clean and dry when it goes in, then that minimizes the chances of anything undesirable growing. |
crystalspin
Santa Ana, CA
(Zone 9b)
March 30, 2007
8:44 AM Post #3336749
| I have used the smaller ones for travel (the kind you get the air out by rolling to squeeze and not with a vacuum cleaner)... they did not develop leaks through several trips and they do work on things with "fluff" volume like sweaters. Clothes like the acetate "traveler's knits" are so dense already it wouldn't be necessary and wouldn't make any real difference.
I bought some larger ones to use for seasonal storage and also for yarn & spinning fibers (fleece) ...however, I will have to find them to use them! No, really, WHEN found I intend to put them to use THIS TIME!!!
As far as mustiness, I think ecrane has it right -- clean and dry is the secret. And for my fleeces or anybody's wool sweaters, NOT being infested (including no viable eggs!) before vacuum-sealing is necessary, obviously a home vacuum-cleaner (or the roll-up method) does not get all air out... although I do remember that part of why a cedar chest works is that it is essentially air-tight, I think that is more to do with no-way-in for the vermin! I'm sure a live moth grub could eat a nice hole on very little air... Of course, mine have been in NON-sealed storage so long, either they are full of holes already or they are fine...
As far as quality (readily getting holes or seals failing) -- sometimes I wonder if the urge to live frugally works against us -- I think there are bags out there LABELLED SpaceBags, that are pretty much just zipper-bags with MAYBE a valve-hole in them. The roll-up bags I used successfully had a three-band (making two full seals) closure on the zipper part -- and you had to leave a certain amount of space -- trying to press them closed over TOO MUCH STUFF did NOT work!
I'm still a ways from being ready to use these bags (besides FINDING THEM!) -- still needing to sort and purge everything first!
~'spin!~ |
elsie
Lafayette, NJ
(Zone 6a)
March 30, 2007
3:38 PM Post #3337894
| I don't think they're worth the money. I bought them and within a week they were full of air. I buy clear garbage bags and try getting most of the air out and use rubber bands to close it up. Ziplock makes a very large sturdy ziplock bag with a handle. They are about $5.00 for 3 or 4 of them. |
maryky
Hudson, FL
April 10, 2007
4:31 PM Post #3377200
| I bought my bags from QVC. They were a waste of money. They don't keep the seal. |
mjfulgham
Madison, MS
April 23, 2007
6:28 AM Post #3421166
| I bought space bags also to store some of the many quilts I have that my grandmother is constantly making and sending home with me (we will never get cold!! LOL) - Every one that I purchased did the same thing and starting leaking air out. In fact after I put them under the bed I had a time trying to get them back out because all the air had come out.
I had really wished they worked since I wanted to store my flannel sheets and other items in some smaller ones. My NEW idea, which I guess would only be good for those of you who have a foodsaver - was to use the large foodsaver bags! This worked Great! You can also use the the WalMart brand foodsaver bags for this - its much cheaper! I put a half of a dryer sheet in each bag just to make it smell extra fresh when I opened them up. |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
April 23, 2007
8:12 AM Post #3421504
| How large is large? Large enough for a flannel sheet.
The space bags I have have not leaked so far (since January). They are the kind where you zip across and then zip back again to make the seal. |
Gymgirl
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
April 26, 2007
9:19 AM Post #3433322
| Ya'll let me know how this turns out. I live by blankets and flannel sheets, but don't have much space!
Also, was told to never put clothes in the attic for storage as they will dry rot or worse, rodents will make nests in the clothes. I'm liking the rubbermade totes idea for storage, and wonder if I could safely store them outside in the garage instead.
Please advise/comment. Thanks.
Linda |
FlowerFan86
Kennewick, WA
(Zone 6b)
April 27, 2007
10:32 AM Post #3437341
| I also bought the ones from QVC and they would not seal for me as well. |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
April 27, 2007
10:43 AM Post #3437360
| I wonder if people who are having trouble sealing Space Bags have the sealing instructions. They do not work like Zip Lock bags. You slide the "zipper" to one side, then back again to complete the seal. Then you vacuum out the air. |
dwerland
Nipomo, CA
(Zone 8a)
April 29, 2007
9:44 AM Post #3443961
| I think they just need to be handle with a bit of care. They are plastic and will poke holes in them if left were this might happen. I Had one on the floor of my closet and dh put stuff on top of it,and it had little prick holes all over, which is why it didn't keep the seal. I also found that I tried to pack to much into one bag, if I only put two items in instead of four I would have had better luck. I have not given up on these. My dh has, but I have not. I did put a dryer sheet in with them to have a fresh scent also.
Dayna |
VEGGIEHAPPY
New Braunfels, TX
(Zone 8b)
May 4, 2007
11:45 AM Post #3462921
| I haven't tried any of this, but I need to.
I found the tote at drugstore.com on sale for $19.99 with free shipping if the total order is $25 or more.
[HYPERLINK@www.drugstore.com] |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
May 4, 2007
12:32 PM Post #3463045
| Veggiehappy: The jumbo tote is 19.95 at Walmart. No shipping no minimum. |
Gymgirl
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
May 4, 2007
1:39 PM Post #3463208
| Did ya'll hear me ask about storing clothes in the attic and/or garage, or am I being ignored (SMILE -- GRIN - CHUCKLE - TONGUE IN CHEEK...) tee hee hee... |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
May 4, 2007
1:49 PM Post #3463238
| gymgirl: as a former museum curator, I have to say, the attic and garage are not the best places to store clothes, but a wet basement would be worse. If you have no place else to put them, I would say the space bags are supposed to protect the clothes. I would put them in the least humid and coolest place posible, away from direct sunlight. I have seen lots of destroyed historic clothes--Paris gowns and West Point uniforms. The main forces that destroy clothes are rodents, moths, light, moisture, and heat. Beyond that, acidity. So if the clothes can be protected from these environmental agents, they should be o.k. for a year or two. I would put a couple of dessicant packages (silica gel --like you find in some of your perspcriptions) in each of the space bags. Also, check that they are being put in a safe place where the bags will not be puctured. Most fabrics need to be taken out and aired every year or two and repacked. |
ByndeweedBeth
scio, oregon, OR
(Zone 8a)
May 4, 2007
1:55 PM Post #3463255
| I am certain that there is still air inside the bags once you seal them. I am also a chemist, and even if there wasn't air you could grow anaerobic bacteria. I just wondered about the musty odor since almost all clothes I neglect to wear for a year seem to have it. I wash the smell away with vinegar in the washing machine. |
Gymgirl
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
May 4, 2007
1:58 PM Post #3463264
| Thanks, Gloria! |
gloria125
Greensboro, AL
May 4, 2007
2:06 PM Post #3463291
| You are welcome, Gym Girl! |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
May 9, 2007
2:25 PM Post #3480525
| I've tried the Space Bags and I don't like them. They don't hold up. Instead I use Ziplock Storage Bags in my linen closet. Prior to this my housekeeper went through the linen closet like a tornado trying to coordinate things. To solve this problem, and keep my blood pressure down inside each bag I place matching sheets, pillow cases, towels and wash cloths. All she has to to is carry a bag to the approriate bed and bath. |
renwings
Sultan, WA
(Zone 8a)
May 9, 2007
2:29 PM Post #3480543
| I bought some on clearance at Linens and Things. I stuck me wedding dress in it after the cat clawed part of my sleeve. It's been in there for 4 years and still looks great. I know how hierloom linens in another. Some for sweaters and bedding. I like em.
One thing I wouldn't go cheap on. I just happened to find a good brand I guess. They have a one way seal valve the vacuum attaches to. |
MissTexasKitty
Canton, TX
May 14, 2007
12:44 AM Post #3495151
| Gymgirl,
I used the large clear plastic boxes for out of season storage for clothes, blankets, etc..
I like the clear because you can easily see what is inside.
Make sure everything is clean and dry, and I toss in a dryer sheet in between the folds of something that won't discolor. Pack it up, put on the lid so it is snug, but not bludging, and then use duct tape to seal the side of the lid, and up in the attic it goes, until next fall.
No bugs, no nests, and when you are ready to use the clothes again, give them a 15-20 minute spin with warm air and fabric sheet in the dryer, and they will smell fresh and be ready to hang up and wear. |
Gymgirl
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
May 18, 2007
11:18 AM Post #3510918
| Thank you, MissTexasKitty!
Now THAT'S what I'm talking 'bout! Do you seal the lid completely around with the duct tape? I suspect you do, to make a tight seal. Thanks for the storage encouragement, cause mine is at a definite premium!
|
