Some people swear by vacuum-sealed bags when packing up their home. This method saves space and keeps things protected during the move. Vacuum sealing works well for certain items but definitely not for everything. The process involves removing air from a special plastic bag so the items inside stay tightly compressed and take up minimal room.
When you remove the air and seal the bag, you can save significant space—especially for bulky items like bedding and clothes. Here are some items that work best for vacuum sealing during a move and others that you should skip.
Bedding and Pillows
One of the easiest ways to free up space in your moving boxes is vacuum sealing bulky bedding. Sheets and comforters are notoriously difficult to pack neatly since they’re oversized and consume tons of room. With a vacuum-sealed bag, even the thickest comforter shrinks into a smaller, more manageable package.
Pillows and other bedding items work perfectly with vacuum-sealed bags. Bed pillows, throw pillows, and bed skirts become incredibly bulky when you try folding or squeezing them into moving boxes.
Vacuum sealing also helps with other bulky items, so you won’t stress about how much space your favorite soft belongings occupy in the moving truck. Once you open the vacuum-sealed bag at your new home, your pillows and blankets will fluff back to their original size.
Clothes
Clothes quickly consume space when you start packing for a move. That’s why they’re among the most popular items people vacuum seal—whether for moving or travel. When you stack clothes in a box, they rapidly pile up, but vacuum sealing flattens them into one thin, compact layer.
Vacuum-sealed bags can even help prevent wrinkles, unlike regular packing methods that often leave clothes creased. Instead of lugging around big, heavy boxes stuffed with clothes, you can fit more into fewer boxes by sealing them this way.
Food
You might not consider vacuum-sealing food, but it’s incredibly useful. It keeps your perishable items fresh longer. Vacuum sealing smartly protects your food during the move, prevents spoilage, and ensures it lasts throughout the journey.
Benefits of Vacuum-Sealed Bags & What not to Use them for
Beyond saving space and protecting your belongings, vacuum-sealed bags are budget-friendly and help you stay organized. They keep food fresh, shrink bulky items to a fraction of their size, and can save you money by requiring fewer boxes and a smaller moving truck. Plus, since the bags are airtight, you don’t have to worry about dust, moisture, or pests getting inside.
Can I Vacuum Seal Everything When Moving?
Be careful—not everything should be vacuum sealed. Hard items like antiques, small decorations, or office supplies won’t benefit from this method. Only soft, flexible items that can be compressed work well with vacuum sealing. Since air removal shrinks the size, solid items won’t get any smaller and won’t save you space.
If you’re considering vacuum-seal bags for your upcoming residential move, they’ll be incredibly helpful—especially when packing items from the bedroom and kitchen!
