How to Package Dry Products in Mylar Bags for Long Term Storage

Dry products are one of the most difficult items to store for long periods of time. Not only do you have to figure out how to keep them dry but also make sure that they will not be contaminated by other substances, such as dust or insects, which can destroy the product over time. The best way to ensure your food is safe from these threats is by using Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers.

Mylar bags are a type of packaging that is used to store items and keep them fresh. They are also known as “space-age” bags because they were originally designed for use in space exploration. The material is made from thin sheets of plastic with an aluminum coating which helps to protect the food inside from spoiling while still allowing it to breathe. What products are best used with Mylar bags? How will you ensure that the product inside it will really last for a long time? Let’s all find out in this article. 

Packing Dry Goods in Mylar Bags for Long Term Storage

Step 1: Label the Mylar Bag 

Mylar bags are used to store a variety of items, oftentimes food. Labeling these Mylar bags is important because it can be difficult to tell what's in the bag without one. Mylar bag labels should include the date, name of contents, conditions for storing food in them, any special handling instructions such as refrigeration required before opening the package.

Ideally, these labels are printed on tear-off strips that can be removed without damaging them so they will not come off when stored in storage containers with other items. Labels should also ideally have space for notes written by hand if necessary and then torn away after use. Permanent markers should never be used. 

Step 2: Fill the Mylar Bag

The first step in filling a mylar bag is to get all of the items that you want to put inside it ready. You may need to cut some things down so that they are more easily fit into your bag. Once you have everything prepared, layout the mylar bag on a flat surface and fold it over one side of the material. This will create an open space for you to start putting your items in.

When filling the Mylar bag, always make sure that you do not put more than what the bag can handle. You should be careful with the measurements to ensure that the bag will be sealed properly and will not pop up because of too much content. 

Step 3: Add Absorber Packets

Before finally sealing the Mylar bag, adding “absorber” packets is very important. There are a few different types of absorber packets available, and you want to find one that will work best for your needs.

For food items, the best option is to use oxygen absorber packets as these allow air to enter but keeps the iron powder inside the bag. You might have heard that absorber packets are dangerous, but there are actually food-grade oxygen absorbers that are safe to put next to food and are not dangerous as long as they are not eaten. 

For non-food items, such as clothes, electronics, books, and the like, a desiccant is a go-to. This is because desiccant removes moisture from the air, preventing the build-up of rust, mildew, and molds. Desiccants can either be in the form of Silica Gel, Clay, Molecular Sieve, and Calcium Sulphate. Silica Gel is the best option when using Mylar bags as they do not contain cobalt chloride.

Step 4: Partially Seal the Mylar Bag

When it comes to sealing food in Mylar bags, there are a number of ways that you can go about doing it. Some people prefer to use heat sealers, while others like the old-fashioned way and just use an iron.

When sealing Mylar bags, first, place the Mylar bag on a flat surface and open it up fully. Fold one side over to expose half of the second side. The top is now folded back behind you so that you can only see two layers of plastic separating from each other - not three (which would be if there were still an edge sticking out). 

If this sounds difficult or confusing, let's try another example: take your hand and line up all five fingers in a row with spaces between them for illustration purposes. Now bring your hands together like they are hugging something that isn't really there but doesn't actually touch both sets of fingertips together yet. That's essentially what we want to do with our Mylar bags when sealing them off using heat sealers.

Step 5: Remove Any Excess Air

Partially sealing the Mylar bag is a step that should not be missed to ensure that there is no excess air in the bag before fully sealing it. Removing the excess air will also help you keep the bags stable when stacking in as much as it prevents them from “popping,” especially when packed tightly with other packages. 

To remove excess air in the bag, start sealing its edge and leave at least a couple of inches unsealed. Press any excess air out of the bag, then place the oxygen absorbers. After that, fully seal the bag. 

Step 6: Inspect the Seal

Once you have fully sealed the Mylar bag, inspecting the seal and the bag is very important to ensure that everything is done properly. If the seal doesn’t look great, then try sealing it again, but if the bag looks deformed or bunched, it’s time to cut it open and pack it again. 

Aside from the seal, look for possible punctures or damages too. This can be done by simply shining a flashlight inside the bag. This will help find out holes and punctures. Just keep in mind that not all pinholes are considered a problem as long as the plastic layers on any of the sides of the bag are intact.   

Step 7: Store Mylar Bags in Metal Containers

Metal containers are preferable to plastic containers because they do better in protecting items from rodents. When using a new metal container, use a plastic barrel liner to form an added layer of support in preventing moisture from entering the container and the Mylar bags. 

It is also very important that you add a layer of cardboard after every three layers of bags to help the bags become more stable. This also prevents the bags from getting damaged when moved. 

Wrapping It Up…

There are many benefits to using mylar bags in your business. One of the best things about these bags is that they are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. It's important to make sure you're getting the right size for what you need, but it will be easy for customers to find exactly what they want once you do. Another benefit of mylar bags is that they offer protection from light and moisture, damaging certain products over time. They also provide an increased shelf life which means more profit for your company!