10 Things You Didn't Know About Mylar Bags
Mylar storage bags may be the best form of long-term food preservation for preppers on the market, but did you know that mylar has many other uses? The shiny material pops up in the strangest places, from heavy industry to clothing to outer space. Here are 10 things you probably did not know about mylar storage bags.
#1 – Mylar food storage bags are not metal.
In fact, mylar is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic. The metallic shiny or matte finishes are from a very thin layer of metal that has evaporated and then condensed on the surface of the PET film.
#2 – Mylar bags are reusable and resizable.
You can get the most longevity out of your mylar bags by cleaning and drying them thoroughly after use. With careful sealing and opening, you can maximize the number of times you reuse them. Also, if you have a huge bag, you can cut it into smaller pieces and use a hair straightener to seal the edges. Now you’ve got several smaller bags!
#3 – Mylar has other uses in the food industry.
You might recognize that many juice pouches, breakfast pastry wrappers, and potato chip bags are mylar. But since most people forget that not all mylar looks metallic, they often don't realize that the plastic covering under the lid of yogurt tubs and over microwave dinners is also mylar. The non-metalized versions can be microwaved because PET has excellent heat resistance.
#4 – Mylar bags can store things other than food.
Some people prefer the durability of mylar over paper or cardboard to protect their possessions. Try storing sensitive documents like deeds, legal paperwork, or cash. Furthermore, it's great for preserving any collectible media. Many preppers have stored firearms and weapons in mylar bags with a desiccant to prevent rust and corrosion. Finally, mylar bags are excellent for storing holiday decorations and camping equipment for long periods.
#5 – Mylar appears in many everyday places.
Mylar is everywhere, from shiny lettering on t-shirts to baseball card wrappers to the glitter in your lipstick to confetti at the theater. In both its metalized and non-metalized versions, mylar is one of the most common plastics in consumer products.
#6 – Mylar comes in different colors.
The silvery mylar food bags we love to use have aluminum in them. Other common metals are gold, nickel, and chromium, each of which changes its properties slightly and has its own industrial use.
#7 – Mylar is recyclable.
Many facilities can recycle PET, provided that it has not been metalized. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult to recycle mylar food storage bags. However, new technology is available, and some companies like TerraCycle will gladly take used mylar bags off your hands for recycling.
#8 – Firefighters wear them.
The aluminized proximity suits that firefighters wear to put out super-hot chemical and fuel fires are made from mylar. Mylar is such an excellent insulator that some companies make collapsible emergency pods out of it for people who get caught by forest fires.
#9 – Mylar in cameras.
One of the first uses of mylar was in 1955, when Kodak used it to coat 6,000 feet of camera film so the U-2 spy plane could carry out its mission effectively.
#10 – Mylar has been to the moon.
NASA used mylar to insulate much of the sensitive equipment on the Lunar Module operated by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. The module required lightweight, high barrier-strength material to make the module a success – mylar was the answer.
What do you think of what you just read ? Did you know that about mylar ?
Let us know in comments below !
FOR ALL GENERAL INQUIRIES