Vacuum storage bags work best for bulky, washable items such as sweaters, jackets, bedding and kids’ winter gear, while down, wool and leather need extra care.
If your closet is overflowing every time the seasons change, vacuum bags are one of the simplest ways to get space back. You seal the clothes in a bag, pull the air out, and the pile gets noticeably flatter. This guide covers what to put in them, what to leave out, which style fits which job, and how to pack and store them so your clothes come out fresh. We also list a few options available on shopperplus.ca. Prices as of October 26, 2026.
Step 1: Decide what actually belongs in a vacuum bag
Vacuum bags remove air, and air is what makes bulky fabric bulky. That is why they suit some items much better than others.
Good candidates
- Bulky knits and fleece: sweaters, hoodies, fleece jackets and scarves you will not need until winter.
- Bedding: spare comforters, duvets, blankets and pillows, especially for guest rooms or a seasonal switch.
- Off-season clothes: shorts, T-shirts and light summer dresses that go away for the winter.
- Soft toys: plush toys take up a lot of room for how little they weigh.
Use extra care or skip
- Down and feather items: down jackets and duvets can be compressed, but leave them sealed for a short time only, and fluff them well when you take them out. Check the care label first.
- Wool and cashmere: fine for a season if the garment is clean and fully dry. Do not pump out every last bit of air, and give wool a rest in open air afterwards.
- Leather and suede: these materials can crease, stiffen or hold moisture. Store them in a breathable garment bag instead.
- Structured clothing: tailored blazers, pleated skirts and anything with stiff padding can crease permanently when squashed flat. A hanging bag (see below) is gentler.
- Anything damp or dirty: always wash and dry clothes completely first. Moisture and body oils trapped in a sealed bag can lead to odours and mildew.
Step 2: Choose the right type of bag
Hanging vacuum bags: for suits, coats and dresses
A hanging bag keeps the garment on its hanger, so it is not folded or flattened. It goes back in the closet like any other clothing. It suits good coats and jackets you want to protect from dust without hard creases.
- STORA Hanging Vacuum Seal Bags for Suits, Dress Coats or Jackets – about $4.99 for a single Medium and about $5.99 for a single Large; 3-packs are listed at about $13.99 (Medium) and $16.99 (Large). Transparent PE/PA material with 5 hanging rings. Listed sizes: Medium 70 x 105 cm (27.6 x 41.3 in), Large 70 x 135 cm (27.6 x 53.1 in). The page says it can be compressed by sitting, hand pressing or a vacuum cleaner.
Flat space saver bags: for sweaters, bedding and seasonal swaps
These are the classic zip-top bags with a one-way valve. Fold the items, slide them in, zip the bag closed and remove the air. They stack under a bed, on a closet shelf or in the bottom of a wardrobe.
- STORA Space Saver Vacuum Bags for Clothes and Bedding – about $6.99 for a single Medium and about $8.99 for a single Jumbo. Made from PE and PA. Listed sizes: Medium 50 x 70 x 30 cm (19.7 x 27.6 x 11.8 in), Jumbo 80 x 100 x 38 cm. The page describes a double seal zipper and an upgraded valve, says the bags are reusable, and lists clothes, comforters, quilts, blankets, plush toys and pillows as suitable. It also states that they can reduce volume by up to 80%, so your own results will depend on what you pack.
Roll-up bags: for travel
Roll-up bags have a one-way vent instead of a port for a vacuum hose. You roll the bag toward the vent to push the air out by hand, which works anywhere, including a hotel room. We do not currently carry a roll-up bag, so none is listed here.
Quick pick table
| What you are storing | Type to look for | Option from Shopper+ |
|---|---|---|
| Suits, coats, dresses | Hanging vacuum bag | STORA Hanging Vacuum Seal Bags, about $4.99 |
| Sweaters, bedding, seasonal clothes | Flat zip-top bag | STORA Space Saver Vacuum Bags, about $6.99 |
| Small items you want to see and reach | Stackable bin | STORA Storage Bin 4L, 4/Pack, about $17.99 |
| Extra hanging space | Fabric closet wardrobe | SortWise Non-Woven Closet Wardrobe, about $24.99 |
Step 3: How to pack and remove the air
- Wash, dry and cool. Clothes must be completely dry and at room temperature before they are sealed.
- Fold flat and keep it light. Do not overstuff. Leave a couple of centimetres of space at the zipper so it closes cleanly.
- Close the seal fully. Run your finger along the zipper and check there are no folds or fabric caught in it. For double-seal bags, close both tracks.
- Remove the air. There are three common ways:
- Vacuum cleaner: attach the hose to the valve and run it until the bag is firm and flat. Stop as soon as the bag is flat. Pulling too long does not help.
- Hand pump: slower, but it works where you do not have a vacuum cleaner or an outlet.
- Pressing or sitting: the Shopper+ product pages mention sitting on the bag or pressing by hand. This is mostly useful for hanging bags or for a quick top-up.
- Close the valve and label the bag. Write the contents and the date on a piece of tape so you know what is inside.
How long can clothes stay in vacuum bags?
Synthetic and cotton clothes can usually stay in vacuum bags for a season without any trouble. Natural fibres that rely on loft, such as down and wool, are happier if you do not keep them compressed for a long period. A good habit is to check the bags every few months:
- Press the bag to see whether it has gone soft. A slow leak is common, and you can simply re-pump it.
- Open the bags that hold down, wool or special-occasion items at least once or twice a year, shake out the contents, let them air for a few hours, and then reseal.
When you take clothes out, hang them or tumble them on low for a few minutes to bring back the shape. Most light creases from storage disappear quickly.
Using vacuum bags for moving and for seasonal changes
- Moving: compress bedding and out-of-season clothes first, so one box holds what used to fill three. Put the sealed bags in a sturdy box or a bin rather than loose in the truck, so nothing punctures them.
- Seasonal swap: twice a year, move one season out and bring the other in. Keep the bags under the bed or on the top shelf, and put heavy items at the bottom of the stack.
Keep the rest of the closet organized too
Vacuum bags solve the bulky items, but the daily clothes still need a tidy home. A stackable bin keeps accessories and small items easy to find, and a fabric wardrobe gives you extra hanging space in a bedroom without a closet. Our guide to storage bins and baskets has ideas for every room, and you can browse the full storage bags and covers and closet organizer categories on shopperplus.ca.
- STORA Storage Bin Multifunctional Clothes Storage Box, 4L, 4/Pack – about $17.99 for a 4-pack. Handy for socks, scarves, gloves and other small clothing items.
- SortWise Non-Woven Fabric Closet Wardrobe with Large Hanging Zone and Side Pockets – about $24.99 for the 105 cm length (125 cm and 150 cm lengths are also listed). Extra hanging space and side pockets for small items.
A simple way to start
Pick one job, not five. If winter sweaters and spare bedding are eating the closet, start with a pair of flat space saver bags. If you mostly need to protect a few good coats, try a hanging bag. Use it for one season, see what you think, and then add more as needed.
FAQ
Do vacuum bags damage clothes?
For most cotton and synthetic clothing, no, as long as the clothes are clean and dry. Problems usually come from moisture, sharp objects, or leaving delicate fibres compressed for a long time. Down, wool and structured garments need more care, and leather is better stored in a breathable bag.
How long can clothes stay in vacuum bags?
A season is a comfortable time for everyday clothes and bedding. For down and wool, check them every few months and give them air at least once or twice a year. Check the bag for slow leaks as well.
Can I use a regular vacuum cleaner on a vacuum storage bag?
Yes. The Shopper+ product pages say the space saver bags work with most vacuum cleaners and can also be compressed by hand or by sitting on them. Attach the hose to the valve, run it until the bag is flat, and close the valve right away.
Can I store a winter coat in a vacuum bag?
Wool or synthetic coats can be stored in a hanging vacuum bag to keep out dust and moisture. Down coats can be compressed briefly, but should not be left tightly packed for a long time. Leather coats should go into a breathable garment bag instead.
Whichever style you choose, the biggest wins come from washing everything first, packing it loosely and checking the bags now and then. A few well-packed bags can give you back a shelf or two, and your off-season clothes will be ready when you need them.
