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Space Bags work for sealing treated items?

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   jsmith85249
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Fri Sep 16 2011 13:13:01
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   (wishing I had chosen a catchy name when I registered for this site but I can't see how to change that now!)
   I have been looking through the threads and I have not been able to find an answer to this. I see XXL Zip Lock bags recommended for keeping items that have been washed and dried sealed and bug free. I was wondering if it would be okay to use the Space Bags, the large heavy duty plastic bags that you fill then vacuum out the air. (Or the smaller ones that you roll to expel excess air). Do these work as well as the zip lock bags? Seems to me like I could put larger batches of cleaned, dried clothes into the Space Bags than I could into the zip locks. I'm planning to buy a PackTite and start treating/sealing things in my closets but don't want to go through all of that only to store it in something that will not prevent BBs from getting in. And, one final question, what about rubbermaid totes? I'm thinking those are not sealed tightly enough to be effective.

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   AshamedandScratching
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Fri Sep 16 2011 13:28:00
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   I use totes to hold things as I move them into bags. I keep sealed bags in them. By themselves, no, but mice can't chew rubbermaid as easily as ziplock.

   Space bags are by nature imperfectly sealed. Some have used them, some haven't. I can't say for sure if they will be okay. I figure if air can get in them, then so other things.

   I'm moving so I wanted something I knew was sealed unless it was opened. Since things are in totes, and then bagged, the chance of infecting the new place should be much lower.

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   cilecto
   

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   Posted 1 year ago
   Fri Sep 16 2011 19:11:02
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   I'm not an expert, but my thoughts.

   Some people have expressed concern over Space Bag "leakage". Some do seem to expand over time. Any "inherent" leak in a model space bag is likely to be too small through which a bed bug could infiltrate the bag. Two areas on space bags that I'd pay attention to (which, IMHO, in and of themselves do not disqualify them from use) is the cap and assembly around the vacuum cleaner port (I'd eyeball it when moving or when reopening the bag) and the duct at the bottom of the squeeze type bags (I'd tape it over, as a BB could conceivably travel up the duct). I'd have a little more concern over using space bags to seal "suspect" or infested items in (with the exception of the hanging bags, see below).

   Space Bag used to (perhaps still does) make long and short hanging bags. These have an internal loop for hanging clothes. Theres the usual zip seal. You hang the bag in your closet. The bag has a screw cap over the valve. I used these to treat some clothes against moths using very smelly naphthalene (kept bags inflated for air circulation). Unlike many other bags I've tried, these sealed in odor sufficiently that items outside the bags in the closet did not pick up the odor. (Note: I'm not up on the latest safety procedures on indoor use of naphthalene, so I will not endorse it.)

   Any secure bag can do if you need to seal treated or suspect items (which, BTW, you should do only if your PCO's, or your, protocol calls for it…not all do. Still "Space" type bags can be handy for conserving space in your home.

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