If you want to know what’s “In”, what’s current, what’s “cool”, just talk to Irene. When it comes to everything new, Irene knows.

Eons ago, Irene got us freezer bags that came with a pump that sucked the air out. You put food in the bag, sucked the air out, and Voila! – packages of food took up less room AND didn’t get freezer burnt. They were awesome! … and costly. We couldn’t afford additional bags, so it ended up being a one-time-use for us. As a result, I never gave them another thought.

Fast forward to the 21^stcentury. I was having a conversation with Irene about normal stuff: plans for the day, upcoming gatherings, kids and husbands and health (or more specifically, declining health) and she casually mentioned having to remove ALL of Bryce’s clothes, blankets, pillows, etc. from the guestroom bed. (Yes, Bryce. Unlike me, your Mom does not think you are totallyperfect!) She commented that it shouldn’t be too difficult considering he had them all in bags with the air sucked out so they were flat as pancakes and then went on to praise her dog, Sally, give me updates on mutual friends, complain about aches and pains (and our brother), etc. The conversation ended.

Two days later, I realized something was niggling at my brain. I stopped and focused. I replayed our conversation in my head and heard her say “…flat as a pancake”. Wait! What? Sweaters and blankets and pillows? Oh My!

For years I have been struggling with storage space. We left a house with 14 walk-in closets and moved to a small house with only 3 ½ teeny, tiny closets. There is no floor space for cabinets, or trunks. There is NO WHERE to store clothing, let alone linens, blankets, spare pillows.

Our finances have improved since the kids moved out and the cost of the bags have dropped over the last 4 decades. I decided to take the plunge! I ordered the Hibag Vacuum Storage Bag kit on Amazon. Total cost including tax: $38 (There is free shipping for Prime members.)

The small box that was deliverd contained:

• 5 Jumbo bags (a whopping 27.5” x 39.35”)
• 5 Large bags (a super large 21.65” x 33.5”)
• 6 Medium bags (a still big 19.5” x 27.5”)
• 2 Small bags (15.7” x 23.5” and can hold 2 sweaters)
• 2 Rollup Travel Bags (15” x 21” and doesn’t HAVE to be used for travel)
• Self Stick Labels
• Travel Hand Pump

I began with my biggest nemesis: Mom’s Hand Crocheted Afghans. I have piles of them! They are stacked with the blankets, and washed and rewashed several times a year just to remove the dust. When stacked, the pile was cumbersome and almost 24” high.

Using the Jumbo bags, I laid the bag flat and placed TWO afghans side by side. Then I zipped it up and removed the white cap.

Place the vacuum nozzle over the hole and turn it on!

That’s it! You’re done. Screw the cap back on and put it away. My original 2 foot stack of afghans was reduced by almost 10”.

Even without a size reduction, it would be worth it. They are so much easier to handle! You can throw it like a Frisbee. Since they’re protected from dust, I won’t have to launder and re-launder, so there’s a savings, too! 

Imagine blankets, PILLOWS (Yes! You can squish pillows!), summer clothes during winter and winter clothes during summer. If you do use them for travel, you can reduce your suitcase by over half. It’s endless!

So, I absolutely love them. In fact, I ordered another set. I’m going to my daughter’s next!