Moth-proof Tyvek bags
July 9, 2013 12:41 PM Subscribe
I want to make some large moth-proof bags out of Tyvek. What should I seal the seams with? How do I make an re-sealable opening that I can open easily as needed but thwarts the little buggers when closed.
When I hear moths, I think = flour storage but I'm guessing you mean clothes or linens. As for open/reopen, I'd go with the "travel" versions that don't require a vac unit.
posted by tilde at 12:55 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by tilde at 12:55 PM on July 9, 2013
space bags are more economical, but if you insist on using tyvek and going DIY, there are stick on tarp zippers
posted by bobdow at 12:56 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by bobdow at 12:56 PM on July 9, 2013
I'd use outdoor double-sided carpet tape to hold your bags together, and leave a long opening that you can fold multiple times and then throw a binder clip or four on for your opening. Kind of like a dry bag or a veneering vacuum bag, that final seal is really more to hold the folds in place than to provide much water-tightness.
And I can't imagine how space bags would be more economical, a roll of genuine Tyvek™ housewrap runs $.12-$.14/sq.ft. The cost will be in the tape.
posted by straw at 1:14 PM on July 9, 2013
And I can't imagine how space bags would be more economical, a roll of genuine Tyvek™ housewrap runs $.12-$.14/sq.ft. The cost will be in the tape.
posted by straw at 1:14 PM on July 9, 2013
I'd be curious to see if this works. My experience with pantry moths is that they can chew through pretty thick plastic bags, so maybe Tyvek would work...but I wouldn't put it past them. I use glass jars.
posted by epanalepsis at 1:23 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by epanalepsis at 1:23 PM on July 9, 2013
There are a couple good low-tech options for sealing.
Option 1:
Get a dowel rod and a piece of PVC pipe as long as the opening of the bag. You want the PVC pipe to be juuuust wide enough to slip over the dowel. Split the PVC pipe open along one side. Fold the bag material over the dowel, slip the PVC pipe over the dowel and bag. It's how my parents' ca. 1970s waterproof canoe trip bags sealed and it's pretty darned effective.
Option 2:
Attach some cips to either end of the bag opening. Fold the bag down on itself several times, then clip the clips together.
posted by phunniemee at 2:12 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Option 1:
Get a dowel rod and a piece of PVC pipe as long as the opening of the bag. You want the PVC pipe to be juuuust wide enough to slip over the dowel. Split the PVC pipe open along one side. Fold the bag material over the dowel, slip the PVC pipe over the dowel and bag. It's how my parents' ca. 1970s waterproof canoe trip bags sealed and it's pretty darned effective.
Option 2:
Attach some cips to either end of the bag opening. Fold the bag down on itself several times, then clip the clips together.
posted by phunniemee at 2:12 PM on July 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I should have been more specific. Bags are for clothing and rugs. Tyvek because it's strong and vapor permeable - won't trap moisture - unlike 'plastic' bags. There are commercial products similar to this made of Tyvek that are intended for storing expensive textiles and rugs; e.g. Foster-Stephens. I want to be able to make custom sizes. Clothing moths, in their various stages, can get through very tiny openings, so the closure needs to be bulletproof (don't know what kind of closures Foster-Stephens uses), but I don't think (not sure) that they chew through plastic like food moths will.
posted by Jackson at 2:30 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by Jackson at 2:30 PM on July 9, 2013
I was going to suggest what phunniemee said above: use waterproof gear bags as an example.
posted by zsazsa at 11:41 PM on July 9, 2013
posted by zsazsa at 11:41 PM on July 9, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
I use a heavy duty glue, or duct tape (cover the seam, not doubled over).
You can use a copco lid or DIY it if you want a round hole.
posted by tilde at 12:46 PM on July 9, 2013