How waterproof are Ziplock bags?
Ziplock bags are often used for three reasons, to keep items dry, for storing food and for packing the sandwiches. But how safe, reliable, and how much they will keep moisture out if you decide to waterproof your devices such as iPhone, camera or iPad? How waterproof Ziplock bags actually are?Ziplock bags do offer some protection from water but are not 100% reliable. They can work relatively good for something that casts a little water and not for long, and not against very much depth. But, ziplock bags should not be used when going for a dive. Here is more on Ziplock bags and what types of Ziplock bags are the most effective.
What are Ziplock bags?
The term ‘Ziplock bag’ refers to any self-sealing bag that is used to store food and other items. Most of the moms, especially those with kids would relate to Ziplock bags a sandwich bags or snack bags. While there are a few well-known ziplock bag brands, one brand stands out, and it seems to be the most known brand to consumers, it is Ziploc brand. Ziploc is a brand name for plastic storage bags made by SC Johnson. They offer bags available in different sizes and for mixed use. The brand provides sandwich bags, snack bags, freezer bags (with a slightly thicker plastic film), microwave bags, and other bags for various purposes, for food and non-food storage. There are also bags with the classic ‘zip’ version, where you press-to-seal together two interlocking pieces of plastic, vacuum sealed bags, and bags with a small tab that runs across the top of the bag to seal it closed.What are Ziplock bags made from?
Most of the Ziplock bags are made with a product known as “film,” Film is transparent, thin plastic made of either low-density polyethylene or high-density polyethylene. The bags are basically two sheets of fairly thin plastic sealed at the outer edges. The edge which closes is basically two channels that get pushed together. Once closed, to our eye looks like as if the ziplock style seam seal is 100%. Unfortunately, most have small gaps in the corners and the outer edges.Study results: are Zip bags waterproof?
In an experimental study by Hannah Hoskings in 2014, she tested various zip bags by submerging them in a tank with water first, for 5 minutes. Then, every 5 minutes for 30 minutes she checked their status. Then every 30 minutes after that, until 1 hour. Her goal was to find an answer to a question, ‘are zip bags waterproof’ and if the Ziploc freezer double zipper bag, in particular, is the best at keeping water out. The bags she used in her test were from two different brands, Ziploc brand, and Great Value brands. The products she used in the study were: Ziploc storage Double Zipper; Great Value freezer double zipper; Ziploc® Freezer slider; Great value storage Double Zipper; Ziploc® freezer double zipper; Ziploc® storage slider; Great Value freezer slider bags. As far as materials, she used a 20 by 10 fish tank, timer, and water sensors (1). The outcome of the study showed that Ziploc freezer bag leaked in 2 of the 3 trials. Ziplock bags which did not leak were produced by a company called The Great Value brand. For this particular study The Great Value brand bags, altogether 8, did not leak within the 60-minute tests, while Ziploc had only 5. Many other bags leaked under 30 minutes. Also, in her experiment, there was no significant advantage if there was a slider vs. a zip at the top of the bag. Nor did the type of bag (freezer, storage, sandwich) make all that much difference. The final results showed that the Ziploc bags (during the experiment 5 different Ziploc bags were tested) in particular Ziploc freezer bag does offer some protection for gadgets, for a short period of time, but are not reliable at resisting leaks. In other, individual online experiments, some zip bags kept devices 100% dry after being submerged in the water longer than an hour. But no ziplock bag kept items dry after being immersed in the water overnight. When it comes to depth, and weather ziplock begs should be used when diving, the answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT.When should you use ziplock bags to waterproof your devices?
It seems like that one cannot 100% rely on ziplock bags for their devices waterproof protection, as they do not always give the same results. Regarding Ziploc bags and according to Ziploc company, Ziploc brand Freezer and Storage Bags, are not explicitly designed to be submerged in water for a period of time. How about the rest of the ziplock bags on the market? Does it mean that you cannot use any brand to waterproof your items? Yes and no. Yes, because there are some trials which show that ziplock bags protects pretty well items. But again, these results are not 100% consistent. But, if you are cooking or taking a shower and need a quick solution for quick splash protection for your phone, a ziplock bag will do the work, against accidental splash. Ziplock bags are an excellent inexpensive waterproof/water-resistant solution to your problem. If it happens that you drop your phone while in the bathtub, yes, the bag will make your phone safer, but your phone will be protected for a few moments. So be quick to take it out from the water. For super careful users, try using two ziplock bags. This is especially good if you want to protect your phone from a quick splash, or when going for a swim or heading for the beach as it will keep sand out of your phone and you will be still able to use your phone through the bags. Just make sure to vacuum-seal (take all air out of the ziplock bags) your items. Next, seal the bag at the top and the other at the bottom. However, regardless of what kind of ziplock product you buy, it is essential to FIRST TEST whether or not your new bag is waterproof, before putting your favorite items inside the bag.What if you want to waterproof your items when going underwater?
If you want to use your phone or camera underwater, let say when free diving, a waterproof case may be your best bet for your electronic device dry and you might want to invest in a quality waterproof case. To make it even more waterproof secure, you could also add inside water absorbent material like a tampon or soft paper, or Desiccant. While water absorbent materials will absorb water that gets (in case it leaks), when you add Desiccant in the case, it will absorb any humidity in the air of the bag so that when underwater, it will not condense and get into your devices.Want to Invest in Your Waterproof Bag?
If you need a100% waterproof solution, then look for waterproof products that can be fully seam sealed. Fully seam sealed items have 100% waterproof seams, so they seal water out completely. They are entirely impervious to water and provide a high level of continuous water protection. There are specific waterproof covers, cases, and pouches explicitly designed for this purpose and are more resistant to the water leak. If the case or a bag you plan to buy is marked waterproof, that means no water can get in, the seams are, and buckles are covered. Krusell SEaLABox Waterproof case is a bit pricey, but the company says it will keep the phone dry at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes.How to test the waterproofness of a ziplock bag?
One way to find out if a bag is waterproof is to test the effectiveness of the bags you already have in your kitchen cabinet.- Collect all the ziplock bags you find in your kitchen (with the different thickness) and get ready to test if they are waterproof or not.
- Ideally, you should have a bag with good seams.
- Make sure all seals and binding edges are clean and dust free. -Fill your bag with water and check the water tightness. Seal the bag and hold up-side-down. If it does not have leakage at all. Or,
- You can put a coin inside the bag.
- Check for any leaks or rubbles leaking out.
- Submerge in the water. Check every 5 minutes to see if there is any water inside. After 30 minutes, check every 30 minutes the status of your coin. After an hour or two, your coins should stay dry.