How to pack more in your suitcase.

[pampam]

Just a suggestion on how to get more into your suitcase when packing for Disney. I'm sure most of us have seen those spacesaving bags that you hook a vacuum up to, suck up the air and have more room. Our last vacation I thought I'd try something like that. I put our clothes into a large sturdy plastic bag an inserted the vacuum hose into the bag, and held it tight with an elastic. I turned on the vacuum, being VERY careful I didn't vacuum up the clothes and get them stuck in the vacuum hose. I was very surprised at how the clothes "shrunk" as the air was drawn out of the bag. I didn't leave it on too long because I was afraid of vacumming the clothes up as I said, and also I didn't want to damage the vacuum. I fastened up the bag, put it into the suitcase and was amazed at how much room I had saved. Of course, you can't do this on the return part of your vacation unless you want to lug around a vacuum cleaner.lol. When I opened my suitcase once I got to the room, some air had leaked into the bag which I expected would happen. Some of the clothes had a few wrinkles but everything traveled fine. It was a great way for me to be able to pack what I wanted and still be able to close the suitcase. I'll try it again next time.

 

[cdrn1]

I bought a small box of the space-type bags that you roll up to squeeze the air out of and they work very well. I was able to travel to Italy for 10 days with only a 21 inch carry on bag. I also bought 2-gallon Ziploc bags and used them as well, fastening them most of the way and then squeezing air out. Things did not wrinkle badly at all. It was amazing how much I was able to pack.

 

[Hawk]

We usually bring two or three empty suitcases with us. Most of us can pack everything we need into one suitcase for a two week stay. (we do have to use the laundry facility during our stay) On the way home we all have full suitcases. Florida weather is easy to pack for and we pack light - and yes we go in February! When we first started we would bring collapsible coolers and use them as suitcases on the way home.



Hawk.

 

[Naughty]

I have seen many people here suggest using 2/2.5 gal ziplocks to pack. Can anyone enlighten me how to use ziplocks? Why it will save space by using them?

Thanks.

 

[disneymomtofour]

I use them to pack for my children. I put each days outfit, socks and undies in one bag. Then you can just pass out the bags and they can get dressed. No looking for matching outfits--It makes mom's life much easier. When they were small everything fit in a one gallon bag. Now that they are bigger, I will have to hunt out the larger bags. If you push all the air out of the bags before you close them, it saves space in your luggage. Then hang on to the ziplock bags for wet clothes later, due to accidents, water rides, etc.