Has anybody actually used those space bags, the plastic bags you put things in and then suck the air out with a vacuum? Do they actually work? Do they make your stuff smell like plastic? Do they stay sucked or do they leak? What's your opinion--are they worth it?

I use them, and love them. I put my quilts and pillows in them to store during summer months. Also sweaters. No smell. you have to be sure there are no holes tho or it will leak. it really does a great job, and I reuse mine over and over till they leak. its great to take on a trip as well, that way you can fit twice as much in your suitcase. I have ones that you put the item in, and then roll the item to squeeze out the air. love them!

I use them. I love them. DON'T BUY THE IMITATIONS! they DON'T work. the name brand ones work over and over and over for YEARS.

Edited to add: It's the only way we travel also, we can fit 7 days of travel for 2 into a single carry-on. Really. They are one infomercial product that really works.

Earl, I'm confewzed. How do you shrink things back down after you've worn the clothes?

Earl probably has the ones you roll to squeeze the air out.

I have some space bags, one that I'm storing yarn is has a leak in it, so it wont stay sucked, but at least my yarn is contained and not rolling around loose.

They work. I used to take orders for them back when I worked at a telemarketing company that took inbound orders for the crap you see on tv a lot. There were a few things that I liked when I worked there. Space bags was one of the few.

I have tried the real thing and I guess I didn't have the correct vacuum because even though it looked wonderful when I did it later I had this huge about to bust bag in my closet.

not earl, but I have the travel ones. you re pack your stuff and roll them across the bed or a table to squeeze out the air. No vacuum needed on the travel ones. LOVE them! I can easily put a weeks worth of stuff into a carry on bag. no more waiting in line at the round up to get my bag. I take the largest carry on allowed, even if I dont use it, because if I pick up items on my trip I have room.

Here's a funny for ya.

Our vac. is junk, most of our floors are tile so it doesn't matter, so I use the shop vac to fill our space bags.


Yeah you see it coming...

last time I packed for a trip Laura was not happy with me, so once I put all my nice clean and pressed and packed, I put the hose up to it and didn't realize she had switched to "suck to blow" valve to the other position...right after I had done the garage. It filled the bag with dust and dirt in about 1 second!. Needless to say, I'm glad I pack a few days early, if it had been last minute, I would have been hosed. LOL

I first thought Space Bags was a new movie, starring a bunch of over the hill actresses..

Bwaaahahahaha Sal!
Who would be the stars, hmmmm?