What can you use instead of a vacuum bag?

Vacuum bags are a popular storage solution that allow you to suck out excess air and compress items to save space. However, you may be looking for alternatives if you don’t own a vacuum sealer, your bags have worn out, or you simply want a different approach. Luckily, there are many options to achieve similar results without vacuum bags.

Use Spacebags

One of the most direct vacuum bag alternatives is to use Spacebags. These work similarly but without the need for a vacuum sealing appliance. Spacebags have a one-way valve that allows you to roll excess air out of the bag. Once the bag is compressed, you simply seal the valve.

Spacebags come in various sizes like vacuum bags. You can get them in small travel sizes up to jumbo bags for bedding. They are made from durable plastics like vinyl and polyethylene.

The main pros of using Spacebags instead of vacuum bags are:

– Don’t require any special equipment
– Seal shut simply by rolling out air
– Available in many sizes to fit your needs
– Offer comparable compression to vacuum bags

The downsides are that rolling out the air can take more effort than using a vacuum. And over time, Spacebags may not remove quite as much air as vacuum sealing. But for most purposes, they offer an easy and effective vacuum bag alternative.

Use Compression Storage Bags

Compression storage bags are in the same vein as Spacebags. They are plastic bags that seal shut and push out air to compress contents. However, instead of using a valve, they simply zip or slide shut.

To get the air out, you lay the bag flat and slowly zip/slide it closed while pressing firmly to push air towards the opening. Once fully closed, the compression bags keep contents compressed with minimal air inside.

Compression bags share most of the same pros and cons as Spacebags. They are available in many sizes, work fairly well, and don’t require any special tools. The main difference is they rely fully on manual compression rather than valves. This can take more effort but gets easier with practice.

Popular compression bag brands like Ziploc and Vacwel often have similar performance to Spacebags. Just remember to press out air slowly and thoroughly before sealing compression bags shut.

Use Plastic Wrap or Garbage Bags

For a cheap and simple vacuum bag alternative, you can use common plastic wrap or garbage bags. Simply wrap items tightly in layers of plastic wrap or place inside a garbage bag. Then compress the plastic wrap or bag as much as possible to push out excess air.

Pros:

– Nearly everyone already has these supplies at home
– Very inexpensive solution

Cons:

– Doesn’t compress items as small as designed storage bags
– Multiple layers may be needed to help make an airtight seal
– More prone to rips and openings without durable construction

Plastic wrap and garbage bags work in a pinch. But for frequent storage needs, designed space saving bags usually perform better. An exception is to use these plastics as an added inner layer for extra air and moisture protection.

Use Zipper Storage Bags

Standard zipper seal plastic bags can also substitute for vacuum bags. Brands like Ziploc and Glad make all sizes of reusable zipper bags. To remove air, simply slowly zip the bag mostly closed while pressing on the plastic to push air out through the opening.

Be sure to leave the last inch or so open for compression. Once the air is pushed out, quickly zip the bag fully shut. This keeps the contents compressed inside with minimal air remaining.

The pros of zipper bags are:

– Widely available at low cost
– Come in tons of sizes from sandwich to jumbo
– Reusable for multiple storage needs

The cons are:

– Don’t compress items as small without a vacuum
– Not quite as durable as thicker vacuum bag materials

But zipper bags are a quick and versatile vacuum bag alternative using supplies most people already have at home.

Use Airtight Plastic Containers

Watertight plastic containers are go-to kitchen staples. But they can also substitute for vacuum bag storage in many instances. Airtight plastic containers force out air simply by sealing the lid shut. This works best for storage of solid items versus bulky fabrics.

Pros of plastic containers:

– Keep air and moisture out effectively
– Hard bodies protect fragile contents
– Stackable for space efficient storage

Cons:

– Not suitable for compressible fabrics and pillows
– Limitations on container sizes available
– Can be more expensive than plastic bags

For items like snacks, tools, and other solid objects, airtight containers make an excellent vacuum bag alternative. However, they lack the versatility and compression abilities for larger textiles. Containers complement bag storage solutions but aren’t direct replacements.

Use Mason Jars

For small scale storage, mason jars are great vacuum bag alternatives. Their rigid glass bodies and airtight lids force out excess air. This allows you to compress items slightly while keeping air out.

Mason jars work best for storing food items, small hardware like screws or fasteners, and even first aid kits. The glass construction also gives excellent visibility to jar contents.

Pros:

– Completely airtight and moisture proof
– Durable glass construction
– Allow some compression of contents
– Wide mouth jars provide access

Cons:

– Only useful for smaller goods
– Glass jars are heavier than plastic
– Can break if dropped

Mason jars make inexpensive yet high performing small item storage containers. For larger textile compression, combine mason jars for rigid items with bags for fabrics.

Use Cardboard Moving Boxes

Believe it or not, cardboard moving boxes work surprisingly well as improvised compression containers. While not airtight, folding boxes shut does displace some air while sturdily protecting contents.

For soft goods like clothes and linens, press excess air out of the box before sealing it shut with tape. You won’t get an airtight seal, but can still compress contents comparable to vacuum bags.

Pros:

– Free or cheap if reusing shipping boxes
– Folding boxes forces out some air
– Provides sturdy protection for contents

Cons:

– Not as airtight or small as plastic bags
– Boxes take up storage space when not in use
– Not reusable as much as designed storage bags

Cardboard boxes work best for temporary storage needs versus long term. But they can effectively replace vacuum bags or compression containers in a pinch if you have them on hand.

Alternative Methods to Save Space

In addition to container alternatives, there are also some techniques you can use to compress items without bags or jars:

Rolling: Rolled items like clothes, sheets, and towels remove their own internal air pockets. Keep them neatly rolled with ties or bands for organization.

Folding: Like rolling, tightly folded items condense while forcing air out. Use the KonMari style of folding clothing into upright rectangles.

Compressing: Use your body weight or force to compress larger items like mattresses and comforters. Apply even pressure across the surface to squeeze out excess air.

Combining these techniques with alternative storage containers maximizes space savings without true vacuum compression.

Choosing the Best Vacuum Bag Alternative

The best vacuum bag alternative depends on your specific storage needs:

Item Type	Recommended Alternative
Clothing	Spacebags, compression bags, plastic wrap
Bedding	Garbage bags, plastic wrap, compression
Food	Mason jars, airtight containers
Hardware	Mason jars, plastic containers
Files	Cardboard box, compression

For most purposes, designed space saver bags offer the best performance and reusability. But items you already have around the home can also work in many instances.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Alternatives

Follow these tips to maximize air removal when using vacuum bag alternatives:

– For bags, press firmly and slowly towards the seal or opening as you close it
– Use multiple layers of plastic wrap or small bags inside larger ones
– Wrap items or container completely for airtight sealing
– Fold and roll larger fabrics before compressing in containers
– Apply even body weight across entire surface of compressible items
– Leave sturdy cardboard boxes partially open at one end to push out air

Taking your time to properly force air out before sealing containers makes a big difference. And combining compression techniques like folding with airtight storage achieves great results.

Conclusion

While vacuum bags are specially designed for space saving, you can still achieve similar results with common household items. Plastic wrap, zipper bags, rigid containers, and compression techniques force out excess air.

The best vacuum seal alternatives include Spacebags, compression storage bags, plastic containers, and mason jars. Match the right alternative method to the item type you need to store. With some trial and error, you can find alternatives that work great for your needs until you get true vacuum bags again.