If you are dying to take a peek at the contents of a sealed bag, there are two ways to open and close it without noticing the difference. The most common method is to use steam to dissolve the glue, then reseal the bag with more glue. Another good method is to freeze the bag until it opens easily, and reseal it once the glue has thawed. Before you begin, however, remember that it is illegal to open someone else's mail.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Steam Open a Bag
Step 1. Put a kettle on the stove
Boil the water in the kettle until steam escapes from the lid. The steam jet will be used to dissolve the glue of the envelope you want to open. Keep in mind that the steam can deform the envelope and make the paper wrinkle: if the envelope must look fresh and new, you can replace it with another envelope later.
- If the steam comes out with a strong and continuous stream, put a teaspoon in the spout of the kettle to diffuse it. Avoiding subjecting the paper to a strong blast of hot, humid air reduces the likelihood of it curling.
- If you don't have a kettle, boil a small pot of water until steam escapes.
Step 2. Keep the envelope on the steamer
The steam is very hot, so it is advisable to use a pair of tongs or a pot holder to keep the bag on the steam without burning your hand. Hold the bag like this for about 20 seconds to allow time for the steam to dissolve the glue.
- If the bag has a long format, such as a commercial bag, run the entire bag over the steam blast to make sure you loosen all the glue parts.
- Do not subject the envelope to the steam jet for more than 20 seconds, otherwise the paper will begin to curl.
Step 3. Open the envelope using a letter opener
Place the envelope on the table and carefully insert a letter opener under the closing flap. Lift the flap to remove the contents of the envelope. To avoid the risk of tearing it, try to open the bag slowly, but not so much that the glue can set again.
If the flap does not give way and begins to tear instead of opening, put the bag back on the steamer
Step 4. Let the bag dry
When you are done removing and replacing the contents of the pouch, allow the pouch to dry completely before resealing it. To prevent the envelope from warping, place a sheet of baking paper and a heavy book on it. Compressing the bag while drying will keep it fresh.
Ironing the envelope prevents the paper from wrinkling. But be careful not to leave the iron on the paper for more than a few seconds, as the concentration of heat can cause the paper to yellow or burn if you're not careful
Step 5. Reseal the envelope
The glue will have lost its effectiveness after contact with the steam, so you will have to seal the bag in another way. To seal the bag so that it looks like it has never been opened, try one of the following techniques:
- Use a glue stick. Since the glue stick is a dry glue, you can use it to seal the envelope very discreetly. Apply glue to the edge, inside of the flap, and close the bag. It will look like new.
- Use liquid glue. If you don't have a glue stick, Vinavil, super glue or any type of liquid glue will do. But try to use as little as possible to avoid wrinkling the paper.
Method 2 of 2: Open an Envelope by Freezing It
Step 1. Place the bag in a freezer bag
It is of fundamental importance to protect the paper from ice and condensation, which would cause it to deform. When an envelope wrinkles it becomes clear that it has been tampered with.
Step 2. Leave the bag in the freezer for several hours
The glue loses its effectiveness when exposed to the low temperature of a freezer. You can keep the bag in the freezer for as long as you want. Make sure you leave it there for at least a couple of hours, or the glue will hold up when you try to open the bag.
- For this method to work, you need to use a freezer, not a refrigerator. The temperature of a fridge is not low enough to weaken the glue.
- If you don't have a freezer at your disposal, try putting the bag in an airtight bag and soaking it in a container of ice water. This method is very risky, as a leak can leak water into the bag, ruining the bag and its contents.
Step 3. Open the envelope
After leaving it in the freezer for a couple of hours, you may be able to open the bag with your fingers as well. If it doesn't open easily, use a letter opener or knife to gently lift the locking flap. If the flap does not move, return the bag to the freezer until the next day and then try again.
Step 4. Reseal the envelope
When you use the freezer method, the frozen glue loses its effectiveness, but returns to set once thawed. To seal the bag, just wait a few minutes for it to return to room temperature before pressing the closure flap. At this point the envelope should be sealed, showing no sign that it has already been opened.
- If the flap doesn't stick to the bag when you lower it, use a glue stick to keep it closed.
- If you don't have a glue stick, apply a very light layer of Vinavil or super glue to close the flap.
