Re: the space bag hanging models: another Bedbugger uses them and when he has one he wants for daily use, the zips the zipper (which is more secure than a ziploc one–I’ve never seen them gap or open) but does not suck out the air. I am going to give this a shot. I would still like to know if things come out unwrinkled in the hanging ones, as Space Bag claims.

I wondered that about the space totes too. But I think I’d rather slip the tote into an XL ziploc to keep the cloth clean, and then it’s great to have something small. (Space is a premium here in NYC.) But your fears are well-founded. The ziplocs do not always seal and must be checked.

Personally, the rubbermaid and other totes I’ve found have not been almost sealed–the edges have gaps, and taping them seems like a hassle to me. If you can get better ones, that’s great, but I don’t trust the ones I’ve seen without a bag inside. You’re right that folding in a box with paper can prevent wrinkles, so that seems like a possiblity with the right box.

Bugalina– the double zip sounds better. Did you find these next to the XLs?

Now that I’ve rained on your enthusiasm… sorry.

I don’t use dry-cleaned clothes but if it were me, I think I’d fold each garment carefully (one or two folds if possible) with a few sheets of tissue paper beneath and/or inside the garment and then put it in a flat plastic bin. (Perhaps leave in the cleaner’s plastic sheathing too.) My so-far-favorite plastic bins are those Rubbermaid blue roughnecks that have soft plastic lids that mold closely around the bin’s edges and the handles have only two small holes that are easily taped. (Target.) I followed someone else’s advice and bought plastic shelves for the bins. The longer the bin, the less folding I’d imagine; however, not sure if flat, long bins are available.

The tissue underneath the folds of clothes is something you see in stores sometimes and I’ve packed clothes like that for travelling. (Is it only in movies that I’ve seen the old-fashioned cleaner’s boxes?)

I’m not sure if I’m explaining this well but folding with tissue is what they do with antique garments and textiles, unless they use muslin instead of tissue… Probably not necessary to be so concerned about small creases if you buy a steam iron? Might be easier to give items a quick steam for any small wrinkles than to mash them up in those space bags.

Oh, and I dislike the XL ziploc bags because ensuring that they’re really thoroughly closed is a pain and I’ve twice found them mysteriously open.