Spacesaver Premium Vacuum Storage Bags, $44.99 at Amazon 

I look at my closet every week and wonder how I have so much clothing. Then a day later, I remember I often think, "You have X event coming up. Time to get a new outfit," and it happens all over again. Despite donating clothes every three to six months, my closet is often overflowing with clothing.

While my one-bedroom apartment is actually pretty spacious, at over 800-square-feet, my closet can't keep up with my shopping habits. To help supplement my clothing storage, I decided to put Spacesaver bags to the test. These bags claim to reduce the size of things by up to 80% and I wanted to see if they lived up to the hype.

I was sent the variety 12-pack of Spacesaver bags, which includes:

This value pack is $44.99 at Amazon (though you can clip the 10% off on-page coupon to save), however, Spacesaver offers smaller packs in case you don't need as many as I did. A 4-pack of bags is only $20 on Amazon.

Before and After using the Spacesaver on clothing 

I needed all 12 bags, having summer, fall, and winter wardrobes (spring is my least favorite season). If it hasn't become obvious that I like to shop, I also have an overabundance blankets and pillows. I have an entire basket that was bursting with extra throw blankets. I used all of the blankets to store away my summer clothing and the throw blankets and pillows I'm not using at a given time.

While I didn't pull out a tape measure to confirm that the Spacesaver bags reduced volume by 80%, they did by such a noticeable amount, I'll believe the claim. Just seeing the size difference of a pillow in the bag before and after made me a convert. I love when a product delivers.

Before and After using the Spacesaver on blankets and pillows

Spacesaver bag are easy to use, but there are two different ways to scrunch everything up. You can either use a vacuum to suction the bag down, or you can manually pump the air out of the bag.

And then you're all set! You can store the bags out of sight. I put mine into a storage bin I'd already owned, which I slide under my bed to keep out of the way.

Ana Suarez is the senior commerce editor for Hearst Newspapers. She is always on the hunt for good sales, but really, she just won't shut up about her senior dog, Tyrone.