I’m not bragging or anything, but I’ve packed a lot of information into my book about science. I keep a running checklist of all the items I pack frequently in the Notes app, organize my clothing into packing cubes by category, and use tote bag inserts to keep all my personal essentials in separate pockets and Sorted into zippered compartments. This level of organization is hardly a habit at this point. Between work trips, weddings, visiting friends out of town, and vacations, my suitcase is used frequently throughout the year, so I’ve had plenty of opportunities to hone my packing methods. And of all the travel organizers and packing hacks I’ve tried over the years, there’s one game-changing item that I can’t live without. It’s a vacuum sealed bag.
I purchased a set of travel vacuum seal bags prior to my first international trip in 2016 and have used them on almost every trip since. It saves a lot of space in your suitcase, helps you sort clean and dirty clothes, and nothing could be easier to use than this. Oh, and the set costs less than $10. Keep learning how I use vacuum seal bags for travel and why you need this set ahead of your next trip.
Source: Jessica Friedhoff
How to use a vacuum seal bag for travel
It’s one thing to pack your suitcase before a trip, but it’s also one thing to try to put all your dirty clothes, clothes you packed but never wore, and souvenirs you bought at the end of your vacation back into your luggage. is a special hell. That’s why these vacuum seal bags are my travel secret weapon. I always keep a couple of empty ones in my suitcase and use them to stash dirty clothes while traveling. When you pack your suitcase and go home, you can squeeze out all the air and compress everything to save space. Additionally, vacuum-sealed bags are airtight, trapping odors, dirt, and moisture and keeping them away from the rest of your belongings.
If you just read the words “vacuum seal” and immediately wonder how on earth you’re going to find one on vacation, don’t worry. These work just like any other plastic zip-top bag and don’t require an actual vacuum cleaner to force all the air out. Simply place your clothes inside, use the top slider to seal the opening, and roll up the bag to squeeze out the air. The design of the bag prevents air from returning, keeping your items compressed, flat and as compact as possible.
These bags single-handedly prevent my suitcase from looking (and smelling) like a disaster on the way home. Especially when your clothes smell really bad after a long day of sightseeing, or when you don’t have time to completely dry your swimsuit before your flight home. Packing your bags again at the end of your trip is as easy as tossing everything into a vacuum-sealed bag, squeezing out the air, and tossing everything into your suitcase. At less than $10 for a set of two, it’s definitely an investment that will come in handy on future trips.
meet the author
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is a senior lifestyle editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the site’s Home & Living category. She has nearly seven years of experience reviewing products, covering trends, and creating inspirational content about all things home.
