How To Use Vacuum Storage Bags Correctly - A Complete Guide (UPDATE 2022)

This covers every step of using vacuum storage bags to ensure you can use them without leaking. Click "more" to read full accompanying instructions...
We use our Neusu Extra Large Vacuum Storage Bag here:
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
Here's the steps to follow:
1) Ensure your items are dry and folded to make sure that they don't take up too much space.
2) Arrange them in your vacuum storage bag, and try and leave around 2cm clear inside the bag before the zip. (This adds an extra sealed area to improve the vacuum longevity when compressed.)
3) Use the supplied clip to create and initial seal, pushing the items into the bag as you go along.
4) Once closed with the clip, go back along the two parts of the zip with pinched finger and thumb to ensure every part is fully sealed. THIS IS THE #1 POINT OF FAILURE IN USING VACUUM BAGS.
5) Take the cap off the vacuum bag valve and use your vacuum to remove the air. You do not need to do anything to the valve - it is self seal. DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE SILICONE SEAL IN THE VALVE.
6) You don't need a perfect seal with the vacuum cleaner. Just put the nozzle over the valve. If it doesn't produce a close enough seal by itself, use your hand to cup around the nozzle and complete the seal, or use something like a hand towel around it to make a better seal. Again, you aren't looking for a 100% seal around the valve as that could overwork the vacuum motor. A basic seal will be enough to remove all the air because of the one way nature of the valve.
7) As you are removing the air, you need to do 2 things:
i) Tug the closed zip gently outwards from one end to the other as the air is removed, so that you create that 2cm gap between the inside of the zip and the items. This removes pressure from the zip and adds a sealed vacuum section to help keep the air out.
ii) Press down on the different areas of the vacuum bag as you, go that the bag ends up roughly flat. Otherwise, the front end with the zip will end up compressed more than the back of the bag and it will be uneven.
8) Once it is rock solid and all the air is out, turn off the vacuum cleaner and screw the cap back on. There's no rush, as the air can't go back in through the valve. (If it does, your valve is faulty.) Our caps include an extra silicone seal circle on the outside to improve the longevity, so they need screwing on reasonably tightly, to make them airtight, but don't overscrew them.
9) We recommend leaving the bag for 24 hours before long term storage to check it. If the bag has remained solid and compressed for 24 hours, it should last for months. If it has re-inflated, then, check the zip! (Seriously, it's always the zip.)
10) For long term storage, put the compressed bag into something that will protect it from being ripped by accident. We recommend one of the Neusu Heavy Duty Underbed Storage Bags.
BONUS TIP 1
Don't include wire coat hangers or anything sharp inside the bag. Even out heavy duty vacuum storage bags can be punctured by sharp objects, so be careful carrying them around door handles, for example.
BONUS TIP 2
If you are having trouble getting that 2cm gap, stand the bag on its end as you start to remove the air and let gravity do the work, then lie it back down as you progress so that you can pat it down evenly.

[@meherbansamidon]

Can we.use this for travel luggage as well.? Tks.

[@HomeStorage]

There are specific travel vacuum bags, which have a sort of air duct at the bottom, rather than a valve. We used to make them, but we stopped because so many people had problems making them work. Normal vacuum bags, such as ours, can be used to save space for travel, if you roll them to expel the air, rather than use a vacuum cleaner. It doesn't remove as much of course, but it can be surprisingly effective.