Best vacuum pack storage bags: the best bags for duvets, pillows and more
MOST people would say that they don’t have enough space in their wardrobe – the trick is to make the space you do have work harder for you.
Using the best vacuum pack storage bags to store your seasonal clothes and bedding will free up loads of valuable space in your cupboard, whilst protecting your clothes at the same time.
Keeping clothes fresh by protecting them from water, mildew, dust, insects and odours, is the best thing you can do for them, particularly favourite items that you want to preserve.
Simply place the items into the bag, close the seal securely and vacuum out the air by placing the nozzle of your vacuum cleaner over the valve of the bag.
The excess air will be sucked out of the bag, squeezing your clothing or bedding tightly together and massively reducing the volume of the contents.
Since it’s impossible to get clothing absolutely flat during the vacuuming process, some fabrics will become creased in storage and will require ironing on removal, so do bear this in mind before going crazy on your cashmere.
We’ve rounded up a selection of vacuum storage bags in loads of useful sizes here…
Best vacuum pack storage bags at a glance:
- Best all-in-one: Compactor Vacuum Storage Tote BagBest vacuum pack storage bags multi-pack:
- Best for coats:
- Best large vacuum pack storage bags:
- Best travel vacuum pack storage bags:
- Best for guarantee:
- Best easy-fill vacuum pack storage bags:
- Best dust-proof vacuum pack storage bags:
- Best vacuum pack storage bags with pump:
- Best for under bed:
Best for guarantee: Compactor Semi Rigid Vacuum Underbed Storage Bag
- Compactor Semi Rigid Vacuum Underbed Storage Bag, £22 from John Lewis –
Great for making the most of space underneath your bed.
The vacuum bag here is built into the outer box, which is semi-rigid so protecting the contents and allowing for easier stacking if necessary.
Simply place clothes or linens into the bag, close the double zipper and extract the air through the valve using a vacuum cleaner hose. Compatible with all vacuum cleaners.
With a capacity of 145 litres, a double duvet and two pillows should fit inside easily.
This vacuum storage bag also comes with a two-year guarantee.
Dimensions: L65 x W50 x H15.5cm. Number of bags: 1
Best for coats: Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags
- Hanging Vacuum Storage Bags, £15.99 from Amazon –
This hanging vacuum storage bag set is ideal for storing away coats, jackets, dresses and shirts without folding.
There’s four bags in the pack: three shorter bags measuring 105cm x 70cm and one long bag that measures 145cm x 70cm. There’s also a hand pump if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner handy.
The swivel hanger has space for five hangers underneath it and the bag can hold up to 7kg. How much space could you free up in your wardrobe using this!
Dimensions: 105 x 70cm and 145 x 70cm Number of bags: 4
Best all-in-one: Compactor Vacuum Storage Tote Bag
- Compactor Vacuum Storage Tote Bag, £25 from John Lewis –
This vacuum storage bag has an impressive 210 litre capacity and it looks great within the nylon outer tote.
The bag is built-in and holds two double duvets and two pillows.
Simply suck out the air inside the bag with a vacuum cleaner hose – the universal valve is compatible with all brands. The zipper slider also comes with a two-year guarantee, which is not something we’ve seen on other bags.
Dimensions: H27 x W50 x D65cm Number of bags: 1
Best for under bed: Storeasy Large Underbed Tote
- Storeasy Large Underbed Tote, £15 from Ocado –
This all-in-one vacuum bag within a bag features a large window so you can see what you’ve put in there – really useful if you have a shocking memory as I have.
Great for storing clothes and household linens, protecting them from dust and moths, as well as freeing up space in your home.
The handles on each side of the tote make for easy carrying, while the size and shape means it fits easily under the bed or on top of the wardrobe.
Dimensions: 65 x 50 x 16cm Number of bags: 1
Best vacuum pack storage bags multi-pack: Spacesaver
- Spacesaver premium vacuum storage bags, £18.99 from Amazon –
If you have a whole load of stuff to store, this set of jumbo-sized bags from Spacesaver could save you money as well as space.
The package contains a bumper set of six bags, each measuring 100 x 76cm, which the manufacturer promises will hold four pillows or one queen-sized bedding set per bag – that’s a whole lot of storage.
“I’ve bought lots of this sort of bag in the past, and they have always opened up at some point,” said one Amazon reviewer, “These bags, however, work beautifully”.
As well as the bags, the set also includes a small travel pump which is handy for creating extra space in your suitcase on the way home from shopping-heavy holidays.
Dimensions: 100 x 80cm Number of bags: 6
READ MORE:
Best large vacuum pack storage bags: Bobeen
- Bobeen storage bags, £13.59 from Amazon –
These heavy-duty vacuum storage bags from Bobeen are made of anti-microbial materials, making them tough enough to store “almost anything” in they say.
These large storage bags can easily and swiftly be used for bigger items including blankets, sweaters, coats and pillows.
Get your wardrobe and bedding in seasonal shape by storing items in these large bags, which can be used all year round.
You can also help protect your fave items from pesky moths in the process and keep items fresh and clean in the bags.
Dimensions: 100 x 80cm Number of bags: 4
Best travel vacuum pack storage bags: JML
- VacPac Go portable vacuum storage system, £19.99 from JML –
For those who are after smaller suitcase-sized vacuum storage bags to save on luggage space when travelling abroad, this neat set from VacPac Go is ideal.
The bags promise to reduce the main cause of unwanted luggage bulk – air – by squishing it down neatly into the 60 x 40cm and 50 x 70cm plastic bags. Two of each size are included.
With VacPac Go, you’ll be able to fit three times as much luggage into the same bag and easily keep your dirty and clean clothing separate.
The set also includes a small, travel-friendly vacuum pump which can be operated from a mini USB port – genius!
Dimensions: 60 x 40cm and 50 x 70cm Number of bags: 4
Best looking vacuum pack storage bags: Lakeland
- Vacuum clothes and duvet storage tote bag, £26.99 from Lakeland –
Vacuum storing clothing is definitely practical but for the aesthetically-minded out there, the resulting shrink-wrapped packages aren’t going to win any prizes from Marie Kondo.
Lakeland has resolved this problem by including a matching tote bag with their vacuum storage bags, so once filled, you can zip them away and pop them neatly into the wardrobe.
This huge bag measures 65 x 50 x 20cm, so is perfect for a king-sized duvet and pillows, but Lakeland also stocks smaller sizes of the same design and a hanging vacuum storage bag too.
Dimensions: 65 x 50 x 27cm H Number of bags: 1
Best easy-fill vacuum pack storage bags: Pack Mate
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2 Packmate extra large flat vacuum bags, £12.99 from Lakeland –
Get all your out-of-season storage sorted in one go with Pack-Mate vacuum storage bags – available in a wide range of sizes to suit what you need to store away.
The set includes two extra-large bags measuring 70 x 105cm.
The bags were specifically designed to have a wide opening for easy filling and are the only bags on our list to have been tested and approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Dimensions: 70 x 105cm Number of bags: 2
Best value vacuum pack storage bags: IKEA
- Spantad vacuum storage bags, £4 from IKEA –
You can’t get much better value for money than this pack of two transparent 67 x 100cm storage bags from IKEA – it’s just £4 for the pair.
Mollybarber10 said of her purchase: “They’re the best I’ve used and I can’t wait to come and grab some more! Really worth the money!!”
As well as for storing out-of-season clothing and bedding, several buyers also said they used the storage bags to help save space when packing duvets and pillows into the car for camping trips – a great idea.
Dimensions: 100 x 67cm Number of bags: 2
Best storage bags for cashmere: Cashmere Centre
- Cashmere sweater storage bag, £4.95 from Cashmere Centre –
Send those moths packing, away from your best woollen knitwear with these handy sweater storage bags.
Measuring 36cm across, they will easily hold three two-ply sweaters, two four-ply sweaters or assorted scarves or pashminas.
Moths absolutely love wool and can even get comfortable with carpets, so protecting your best knitwear is a must – once they lay their eggs, your jumper will soon be ruined.
Dimensions: 36cm x 30cm x 5cm Number of bags: 1
Best vacuum pack storage bags for lots of clothes: Argos
- Flat vacuum storage bag, £8 from Argos –
Got loads of clothes you’re not wearing clogging up your wardrobe? Then these Protect & Store vacuum bags will help you get organised and free up extra storage space.
Each bag holds three jumpers or one large pillow.
Also great for trousers, dresses, scarves and more. Simply use your vacuum cleaner to extract the air – and at the same time protect your clothes from dirt, dust and moths.
Dimensions: W47 x L57cm Number of bags: 4
Best dust-proof vacuum pack storage bags: Sainsbury’s Home
- Home vacuum bags large, £6.50 from Sainsbury’s –
Storage has never been so easy, with these large vacuum bags from Sainsbury’s – simply pick them up in-store with your grocieris, or buy online.
Not only are they waterproof, but they’re also dustproof, stop mildew, odours, and of course moths.
Each bag measures 55 x 85cm meaning you can store large items including coats and blankets easily.
Dimensions: 55 x 85cm approx Number of bags: 2
Best vacuum pack storage bags with pump: Hibag Premium
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Hibag premium space saver bags with free hand pump, £19.99 from Amazon –
These handy storage bags are available in a range of sizes and this multipack of 15 includes small, medium, large, jumbo and travel-sized vacuum-pack bags to suit different storage needs.
Your stored items stay safe and secure, thanks to the zipper closure, and the bags prevent mould, mildew and bacteria getting to the contents, ensuring everything stays clean and fresh.
Plus, the free pump is handy for removing the air inside the bags if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner to hand.
Dimensions: A variety of sizes Number of bags: 15
Best stackable vacuum pack storage bags: Dunelm
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Set of 2 gusseted vacuum bags, £10 from Dunelm –
If you want to stack your vacuum pack bags to neatly store away your things, these gusseted bags from Dunelm could be just what you need.
The bags are easily stackable in cubes so you can pack away your seasonal clothes, bedding and more, and save space in your home.
There’s a wide opening so they’re easy to fill quickly and the bags protect your belongings from dust, damp and moisture. Plus, they’re just £10 for two so they’re great value too.
Dimensions: 100 x 80cm Number of bags: 2
What is a vacuum storage bag?
Vacuum storage bags provide a simple solution for packing away and protecting clothes, linens and other items.
The bags are made from durable plastic, usually with a plastic zip closure, and they have an attachment for connecting a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
They protect against moths, dirt, pollution, odour and even dampness, so they’re ideal for seasonal use, or for storing items longer term.
Perhaps you want to pack away your expensive designer coat? Then vacuum storage bags do the job perfectly.
The best bit? They connect easily to any vacuum cleaner with a nozzle and it takes seconds to shrink down the bags and their contents. They’re a fuss-free, easy-to-use product that frees up precious storage space.
How to use vacuum storage bags
Open the bag and place your clean, folded clothes inside. Folding the items first means you can make best use of the inside space from the outset and fit the maximum into the bag.
Once all items are safely laid out flat in the bag, simply close the plastic zip and attach the vacuum cleaner nozzle. Switch on the cleaner and watch the air being sucked out while your clothes shrink down to a fraction of their original size. When done, remove the cleaner nozzle and fasten the plastic cap onto the bag to prevent air getting into it.
Some bags come with their own hand pump, which is handy if you’re on holiday and don’t have a vacuum cleaner at hand.
Alternatively, you can use something called a rolling compression technique, which means you push out the air yourself before sealing the bag. This method doesn’t ensure the bags are completely air-free but they will be close.
By using a vacuum storage bag you can reduce the amount of storage space needed by up to 50%.
Do vacuum storage bags ruin pillows?
If you are wondering if storage bags ruin pillows the short answer is it depends on the pillow type.
Pillows that contain feathers need to be kept fluffy or they can become lumpy and not so comfy so, although pillows can be stored in vacuum storage bags, it is recommended you only deflate by 50% or without taking all the air out.
Are vacuum storage bags reusable?
The good news is vacuum bags can be used over and over again to store your best items – making them durable, protective and more environmentally friendly.
Should you wish to clean the plastic inside or out, simply use a cloth with a bowl of soapy water, and then leave to dry open for several hours. These bags are definitely not one-hit wonders!
What are the best vacuum storage bags?
There are many great storage bags on the market and it is best to find the right size for the space required.
Some are small and hold one or two jumpers while others can hold many different types of clothes.
You can visit stores or click and collect from many great retailers including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Amazon, Argos, Ikea, Lakeland and more.
Do vacuum storage bags wrinkle clothes?
If you pick a vacuum bag with thick durable plastic it will make your clothes less wrinkled, but it will not entirely eliminate them.
Thinner plastic will cause more wrinkles and we suggest you don’t vacuum pack leather, which may crease or crack.
The more pressure on the bag also, the more wrinkles you’ll find. For example, storing multiple bags on top of each other, or placing heavy items on top of your storage bag can cause wrinkles and creases.
Clothing made from thin fabric, such as crepe or silk, may also wrinkle more.
How do vacuum storage bags work?
With vacuum storage bags, you remove all air from the bag, which decreases the size of the bag and the contents inside.
This size difference can be as much as 80%, saving lots of space, keeping clothes clean and ready to store away for months at a time.
What can you put in vacuum storage bags?
Vacuum storage bags are an ideal solution for storing clothing and household linens.
Jackets, woollens, jumpers, trousers, skirts, dresses and nightwear are the most stored items, but the bags can also be used for coats, scarves, gloves, duvets, sheets and towels.
They keep your winter clothes safely stored for summer and your summer clothes out of the way during winter, so freeing up space in your wardrobe and cupboards.