Vacuum packing is often considered the first port of call when running out of wardrobe space and have bulky items such as coats and winter jumpers or pieces that you don’t wear a lot. But did you know that vacuum packing certain types of clothes can lead to irreparable damage.
Here are some of the drawbacks to consider when trying to find a solution to lack of storage space. (Stick around to the end for a better solution to lack of wardrobe space!)
Deep wrinkles
Tightly packing clothes together often leaves deep wrinkles and creases, which can be stubborn or even impossible to remove. For formal or structured garments with delicate materials, vacuum packing may damage the fabric and can alter the garments shape and features such as collars or shoulder pads.
Not a permanent solution
Vacuum packing may free up space in your house, but it is not a permanent solution. You should not leave your clothes vacuum packed for longer than six months. If you do it increases the chance of not only damaging your clothes by creating creases and wrinkles, but can also cause mould build up and discolouration.
It is recommended that you take clothing out of vacuum sealed bags about every six months to keep your clothes in the best shape.
Lack of ventilation
Fabrics, especially natural fibres, need to breath. Vacuum packing clothes with natural fibres such as wool, cashmere and silk can damage the fibres and create stubborn creases that cannot be ironed out without further damaging the clothes (as high temperatures are needed, which these fabrics cannot be ironed with).
Discolouration and fading
Vacuum packing your clothes and leaving them in an area exposed to light may lead to discolouration and fading of colours, causing permanent damage.
Potential colour transfer
Tightly packing different clothes together that all have different colours and fabrics can lead to colours transferring between items.
Certain items are not suitable for vacuum packing
Forced folds and lack of ventilation can lead to permanent creases or even the formation of mould, causing permanent damage to clothes. Items that are made of natural fibres such as wool, fur, silk and cashmere can be easily damaged as they require air to stay in their natural shape, so by vacuum packing these fabrics permeant creasing can be caused as the fibres are damaged from lack of ventilation.
Items that are made of wool can also hold moisture and so can damage other items packed with them, creating an environment for mould growth.
Fluffy items full of air such as down jackets can be damaged when tightly compacted, changing their shape and function. The air trapped inside these jackets is vital for their the functional design by trapping in heat, helping to keep you warm. Vacuum packing these items removes this air and damages the function of these jackets permanently.
Leather clothing can also crack and split from the high pressure caused when tightly vacuum sealing clothes, causing permanent damage.
Poor quality bags can melt in high temperatures
When exposed to extreme heat the plastic of vacuum sealed bags can melt and ruin the clothes stored inside. Avoid this by storing vacuum sealed bags in climate-controlled conditions.
Traps moisture
Vacuum packed bags need to be stored away from any direct sunlight, humidity or temperature fluctuations as moisture can become trapped and build up within the bag leading to mould growth.
Smell
The plastic odour of vacuum seal bags can stick to the clothes that you store within them.
Bad for the environment
Finally, vacuum sealed bags are very bad for the environment as many of them are made of polyethylene and are non-biodegradable ending up in landfill and adding to the problem we have in the world.
Your solution!
Instead of vacuum packing the clothes that you wear less often to make space in your wardrobe, store with PAKT. With convenient, climate-controlled storage and on-demand access, organising your wardrobe has never been this easy. Book deliveries of your stored items with a tap on your phone, swap your items in-and-out with ease and let PAKT do all the work. Whether you cherish your clothes and accessories or simply seek a more efficient wardrobe system, PAKT is your answer.
Read more…
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- 5 Ways PAKT Protects Your Clothes in Wetter, Warmer Weather
- The PAKT Guide to A New Year Wardrobe Clear-Out
