Do you struggle to keep your leftovers fresh? Is your freezer full of veggies that wilt before you have time to use them? Are you looking for more effective ways to store items around your home?
Many people are investing in vacuum sealers or even heat sealers to preserve food, as both options are excellent at reducing food wastage. However, did you know that you can use your vacuum sealer to make storing some of your household items much easier?
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What is Vacuum Sealing
Essentially, vacuum sealing refers to using a small machine to seal a bag using the vacuum process. The item is placed in a bag, and the edges are placed inside the machine. Air is then extracted from the bag and the two pieces of the bag (usually plastic) are fused together.
Vacuum sealing is most typically used to preserve food because removing the air from the bag eliminates bacteria build-up in the food. No oxygen in the bag means there’s no oxidation, and therefore no bacteria.
So Many Uses for Vacuum Sealing
People who have been vacuum sealing for years will tell you that this process isn’t just handy for food storage. Depending on the type and model of vacuum sealer you have, you may be able to seal a host of different items. This can be anything from excess linens to medicine and documents. Here’s a list of a few common items that people have vacuum sealed.
Extra Linens
Do you have a pile of blankets and winter linens that you only use in the winter? Is your linen closet overflowing with items toppling out every time you open it? An effective way to deal with this is to vacuum seal these items.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Place linen or blankets in a suitable plastic bag.
- Use the vacuum sealer to extract the oxygen and seal.
- This will instantly flatten the item.
Once the linens and blankets have been vacuum sealed, they can be stacked on top of each other, making it easier to store more in the same space. Without the excess air in the bag, the item takes up less space in your cupboard.
This process is also excellent for protecting finer linens from dust and moisture. Packing an entire linen set in one bag will make organisation much easier and will eliminate having to unpack the whole cupboard to find your matching pillowcases.
Create DIY Gel Ice Packs
Sprains are common occurrences in many homes, especially if you have kids. An easy way to deal with this is to add gel ice packs to your first aid kit. The good news is that you don’t have to continuously buy these.
All you need is your trusty vacuum sealer and a few ingredients. Here’s the best way to create your own reusable gel packs.
- Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 parts water
- Place in a vacuum-seal bag
- Use the seal function on the bag to permanently close the bag
- Freeze, use, and refreeze as needed
- Make packs of varying sizes to make application easier
Safeguard Your Jewelry
Many people have jewellery that don’t wear but cherish. While more valuable items are usually stored in a safe or safety deposit box, what are you doing with cosmetic pieces? Instead of leaving them to get tangled up in a drawer or cupboard, why not vacuum seal them?
To keep your jewellery items safe, start by wrapping them in a soft microfibre cloth. Place them in a small bag and vacuum seal. Not only will you keep dust and moisture from tarnishing them, but there will also be no more tangling and getting damaged.
Store Your Seasonal Decorations
Do you have an effective way to store your seasonal decorations? Or do you simply toss your Christmas and Halloween decorations into random boxes and then spend hours untangling lights and garlands?
Consider sorting your decorations into categories and then vacuum sealing them. This will make it easier to fit more decorations in your storage box and everything stays clean and untangled.
Protect Your Collectibles
Is someone in your home a comic book or sports card collector? These items are often difficult to keep dry and pristine. However, vacuum sealing will help keep them valuable.
Create Effective Storage for Your Fishing Sundries
Another fun way to use your vacuum sealer is to seal up your fishing sundries so that they don’t dry out, crack, or break. Items such as rubber lures and bait will easily be kept organised and in the best possible condition until your next camping trip.
Final Thoughts
With the right vacuum sealer, you’ll be able to seal any item, which will go a long way toward creating more effective storage. Items that you vacuum seal will also stay clean and ready to use when you need them. Investing in a vacuum sealer will not only keep excess food fish for longer but will also make it easy to keep your space organised.
