I used to have such a hard time remembering to bring my reusable grocery bags with me to the grocery store, but I’ve gotten a lot better about it. It’s not easy to change our routines, but taking reusable bags to the store helps reduce waste, save resources, and cut down on plastic pollution.
Speaking of which, did you know that a single set of reusable bags can eliminate as many as 20,000 disposable plastic bags? The benefits of using them are clear, but many people don’t realize how dirty their reusable bags can get if they don’t get cleaned regularly.
Researchers at the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University asked shoppers in California and Arizona, if they washed their reusable bags, and most shoppers—a whopping 97% of them—either said they didn’t wash them regularly or didn’t wash them at all.
After testing 84 of the shopper’s bags, high concentrations of bacteria were found on all but one bag, while coliform bacteria (often from raw meat) was found in about half of the bags. But on the bright side, the researchers also determined that washing the bags reduced the levels of harmful bacteria to next-to-none, which leads us to today’s post!
So in order to help us form better (not to mention safer) habits, today I’ll be sharing some simple methods for how to clean reusable grocery bags. That way, we can ensure they are both good for the planet and safe for us to use! :-)
How To Clean Reusable Grocery Bags
Cotton, Canvas, And Nylon Bags
Reusable grocery bags made of cotton, canvas, and nylon are the easiest to clean because you can toss them right in your washing machine. Keep in mind that printed designs may not fare well in the wash, but washing in cold water can help preserve them.
After washing, tumble dry cotton and canvas bags on low heat, but nylon bags should be allowed to air dry.
Polypropylene Bags
Reusable bags that have a crinkly, plasticky feel to them are usually made of one of two materials: nylon or polypropylene. Nylon bags are usually fairly thin and don’t support themselves well, while polypropylene bags are thicker and sturdier (like those big blue IKEA bags).
To clean reusable grocery bags made of polypropylene, wash them by hand in warm, soapy water. Rinse well after washing, wipe them down with a clean towel, and allow them to air dry completely. (Avoid the dryer as it may cause the material to melt.)
Insulated Bags
To clean reusable grocery bags that are insulated, your best bet is to hand wash them with warm, soapy water. The thermal lining is a bit delicate, and you wouldn’t want to accidentally ruin it by using a harsher cleaning method. Once your insulated bags are nice and clean, pat them dry and then leave them out to air dry for a while.
Dos And Don’ts For Reusable Grocery Bags
DO…
- Wrap raw meat in a disposable bag before putting it into your reusable bag to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Consider using ice packs in your reusable bags to help keep refrigerated and frozen foods cold until you get home.
- Wipe down your bags after each use, and aim to wash them around once a month.
- Remind yourself to take your bags to the store by writing it on your shopping list (or use my printable shopping list, which has a reminder on it already!)
- Let your reusable grocery bags dry completely after cleaning them to discourage mold and mildew growth.
DON’T…
- Place raw meat, fresh produce, and ready-to-eat foods in the same bag. Keeping them separate is more sanitary.
- Keep reusable grocery bags in your car all the time, as a warm car can encourage bacterial growth.
- Use reusable grocery bags for other purposes. Keep a dedicated set of bags for grocery shopping, and assign a category to each bag to help keep them sanitary (like designating one for meats, one for produce, etc.)
What sort of reusable grocery bags do you like to use?
I do re-use grocery bags, so I don´t mind when I forget my reusable ones at home.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.On the other hand, how about the environmental damage of washing reusable bags frequently? that comes from the use of detergent. This laudry detergent would not be used and sent to water sewers if you didn´t use and wash a reusable bag. You are actually using more water and laundry detergent. So, what has less impact on the environment? Anybody has answered this question?
Pat
Good point. I wonder about things like that too!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also–why don’t stores go back to paper? Trees are a renewable resource and can easily be recycled.
I would add them to an existing load of laundry which would then mean you do not have an additional load of laundry. It is hard to balance the true effectiveness of using reusable bags against environmental impact. But it seems that even if you do have enough bags that you have to wash them separately, you would not do that every time you go shopping, and the benefits would outweigh the risks. That is my humble opinion.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I leave my bags in the trunk of my car, that way I have them for those unplanned trips!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found that keeping them in the car is all I need to help me bring them. They charge is 5 cents a bag here too and there are big signs in the parking lot to bring your own bag. So I put them in the car when I am done un
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was going to say unpacking and some how pressed send. Sorry! Thanks for the reminder to wash the bags.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep a tote basket in the back of my Denali with an assortment of sizes of bags. I use the cloth ones for meats and vegetables only. They can easily be thrown in the washer and dryer. I keep the plastic ones for canned, boxed and bagged items. I almost NEVER go into ANY type of store without at least one re-useable bag. I take them to estate sales, thrift stores, antique stores and even to malls. More stores will give you a 5 cent credit per bag used!! Fifteen, twenty, twenty-five cents in one store doesn’t seem like much, but that can add up fast in a year. To remind myself to take them in with me, I always keep one sticking out from along side my seat. When I’m thrifting, I have one just for that with hand sanitizer, tissues, tape measure, extra bags, note pad and pen in, ready to go. Then I throw in my wallet, cell phone, and water bottle and off I go.
Love your Blog. I look forward to every post. Thank you. You got me hooked on E.O’s!!!! :-0 !! On the road to recover and hopefully fewer Rx’s thanx to you!! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have gotten so many compliments from checkers and baggers on this idea, I have to share it. Take a few of your old tank tops and just sew along the bottom on your sewing machine. Takes 30 seconds and you have a reusable bag that is also easily washable! Great for produce.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a brilliant idea! Built in handles too. I wonder if my sewing machine still works?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea! Just make sure they don’t have ‘pit stains first! ;0)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What an excellent idea! I have so many tanks lying around that are too small or I plain don’t like anymore. You can probably find them cheaper at a yardsale than what it would actually cost to buy reusable bags. I am going start this righ away. In fact, I’ll be saving my kids’ tank tops too :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My bag has a care tag on it – wash by hand as it is from cellulose. I turn it inside out, fill my sink with hot soapy water and vinegar, and wash all my bags by hand. Air dry inside out in the sun. At our Safeway, so many forget to bring their bags in, that they cut us some slack. I usually remember my bags while I’m in checkout. Old habits are hard to change. Thanks for the great tips on separating items; I like that.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our grocery store was selling bags one day. They were preprinted with “meat” and the bag was red, “produce” and the bag was green, etc. I bought both because this was a concern for me. Got home that day and the bagger had put meat in the produce bag and produce in the meat bag! Really? Then I felt like I couldn’t use the produce bag again. Lol
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What about the insulated bags? You can’t just throw those in the washing machine can you? I haven’t yet and am hesitant to do so. Anybody ever washed theirs in the washing machine and dried in the dryer?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a Trader Joe’s insulated bag and I’ve put it in the washer and air dried it. I used to have a less expensive Aldi’s insulated bag, and I would wipe it down with soap and hot water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a couple of the big insulated ones and I can’t imagine putting them in the washer or dryer either. I do turn them inside out and wash in the tub or outside with the hose though using a disinfecting cleaner or just soapy water when they get really dirty. I have also put backing soda inside to sit for a while before or after the couple of times they have gotten really stinky for some reason. I also use a spray kitchen counter cleaner and sponge or rag to clean them out in between the major ones.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have. Just air dry the insulated ones. My canvas bags also go in washer then into dryer set on low or air dry. No shrinkage.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Even if they aren’t really washable, in the true sense, go ahead and turn them inside out and let them air in the full sun for an hour or two. The UV light, dry air and heat is a marvelous natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial agent.Flip them right side out and sun/air some more and they should be good to go. Sure they will probably fade. But if you are going for practicalisty then, who cares.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve sen bags made from old clothes, so if you have clothes that are no longer wearable, but you can’t bring yourself to part with them, this might be a good idea :)
I love my bags because I can fit 6 two liters in a bag and not have to worry about breaking. (DH refuses to quit drinking Mt Dew) I don’t really worry about germs in the bags, I’m not eating out of them ;) I just wash them when they start to look grungy.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Where I live in Canada they now charge you $.05 per plastic bag. Although it’s only a nickel, it does make you cringe when you spend money on something so silly…and the bags are even cheaper quality now. It took a bit to remember the bags but now I have a system. When I know I am getting groceries I put the bag of bags on the door handle of the door I am using to go outside!!
I do wash them…but this has made me want to wash them more often. I do suck it up and buy one plastic bag to put all my meat items in.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Aren’t a lot of bags actually made of paper? I think the basic WalMart ones are. Maybe I’m mistaken. I doubt they’d hold up to being washed. Anyone know if you can wash them? Cleaning them is certainly a great idea, if it can be done without ruining them. Thanks for the tip.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve washed the Walmart bags before and just hang to air dry. It must depend on the WM as my checkers always do a great job when I remember to bring them.
I don’t mind using the store bags either. We use them to empty the litter box, in our bathroom and bedroom trash cans…one of my big concerns is that if they totally do away with them, we’ll still have to purchase bags for our trash cans, litter boxes, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.really, how do you clean out cat boxes without store bags? I even raid the recycling bag bin sometimes when we run low, I also use them in the car as waste bags, but I use my reusable bags for all my major shopping trips, I shop at ALDI and they charge for bags, sure helps me remember to take my own! I collect the store bags at wallmart to do the litter,
The problem we have with the reusable bags is that the baggers at the groceries are so horrible with them. It slows them down tremendously and they just pack them horrendously. I don’t mind taking and using them during slower times (my fave time to grocery shop is Fri or Sat night after 8! ;) but when we have to go at peak times I do let them use the store bags. I don’t feel so bad though, as those bags get lots of reuse as well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Regarding the baggers, it really depends on where you shop…I shop here in the midwest at Hy-Vee and they are VERY good at promoting and accepting the use of BYOB. They even give you 5 cents back per bag each time you bring them. The baggers do a very good job. However, I’ve brought my bags to other places, say, Wal-mart, and that IS a disaster! The checker has no room to put your bags on the bagging corral to place your items inside, even though they themselves sell their own Wal-mart brand reusable bags. All the more reason not to shop at Wal-mart! ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are you my sister, Angela? Sounds just like her!
I keep a small basket in the trunk of my car filled with reusable shopping bags and totes. If I am in a hurry, I sometimes forget to bring my bags into the store, but I have a pedometer and when I remember I have left the bags in the car, I smile and realize I can “wrack up” more steps just by takinig a moment to go back out to the car and get my bags!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do the same thing. Keep them in my trunk and if I forget them, leave my cart at the doorway and run out o my car to grab them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.*to grab them
I keep mine in the trunk, too. I have made it a habit to take them right back out there when I have emptied. If I’m feeling lazy, I will put them on top of my purse, so I will remember to take them out with me the next time I go to the car.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any tips on how to wash the ones that have cardboard in the bottom so they stand up? I have the ones you buy at the grocery store that fold up into a little square but if I wash them then the cardboard is going to turn to mush. I’m really grossed out now but don’t know how to fix it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.take the cardboard out before you wash them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When the cardboard wears out– I use plastic canvas. They sell it at craft stores like Micheal’s (probably even Walmart). It is a plastic grid about the size of a place mat that you can cut to size easily.
Those rollable cutting boards can sometimes be found cheaply, too, and are a great replacement for cardboard inserts. If the cardboard is sewn into the bottom, you’re probably stuck just using the vinegar and water spritz Jillee described as your only option. I would probably dismantle one with sewn-in carboard and reassemble it without, then cut the plastic canvas or cutting board as a removable insert for stability. My sewing machine and I are old friends, though.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.i’ve had trouble washing canvas reusable bags, they completely lost their shape and just looked horrible! but, i will have to try washing the less expensive bags i’ve collected. thanks for sharing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always have my reusable bags. I kind of get snippy when the cashiers bypass my bags and start bagging in plastic. i just grab them off the hook by the door on the way out. J have a few “just in case” bags under the seat of the van in the event I do unplanned shopping. I have different totes I use when I go to the mall and for non food shopping. I made produce bags out of lightweight material so I can keep track of produce without using the plastic bags in the store. That last one drives cashiers crazy-they often just don’t understand the concept.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Me too! tulle and cotton cord, why don’t the cashiers understand this? They keep produce so much better and I even made one that fits the celery prefectly, one that holds just the right amount of potatoes, etc. I’m not sure why this is such a hard concept to wrap their brains around. Now if I could just get them to let me bring my own containers for bulk items and not make me use those plastic bags it would be perfect.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I suggest air drying your bags. I made the mistake of putting all of my canvas bags in the dryer at one time, and now my bags have shrunk to half their size :-(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great reminder to keep them clean, thanks Jillee!!!
Wow I didn’t realize the amount of people who don’t wash their totes.
Make sure to remove the bottom insert if your bag has one, they either crumble or get all bent out of shape. Found this out the hard way once.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep my reusable bags folded up in the “cracks” of my car between the seat and the center console. Helps keep miscellaneous stuff from dropping down into those cracks, too!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Petroleum is used in the making of plastic bags. I’ve read you could drive a car 1 mile on the amount of petroleum it takes to make 14 plastic grocery bags so I take a sticky note and put the number ’14’ on it and post it to the dash of my car so I can see it when I get in. When I see that number I always know what it stands for and remember the bags.
I was going to post the number ‘1,000,000’ because that’s how many birds die every year from the ingestion of plastic but the number 14 seemed an easier cue and more appropriate for use in a vehicle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You’ve touched a vein. Maybe if I had the “Jeep” bags my husband might use them since we drive a Jeep.
I truly hate store bags, the way the store checkers fill them, and the quantity they use. I always compliment the better baggers. To avoid slowing the checkers, I place their bags inside my bags; usually at least two of theirs to one of mine. Keeps groceries from escaping when I make a sudden stop; lost a head of cauliflower once under the driver’s seat and found the smell about a week later. Have been thinking about using a plastic tote system since I already sort my groceries in the cart.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you put your bags down before you put you food down then the first thing the cashier will pick up is your bags and that will be he first thing the bagger will pick up then there is no need to use their bags and you won’t feel like you are slowing the down. just a suggestion.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I read your comment and wish I had your baggers in my area. If I let them use disposable plastic bagsI can fit 4 or 5 bags in my reusable one. The thing is I believe it is the store policy to only put a couple of items per bag.
I don’t know what happens to the bags in the inland states, I live close to the ocean and my work takes me all over the coastline, it is heartbreaking to see the little islands of garbage even in the middle of nowhere many miles offshore. The glue of those islands is the stupid supermarket bag, they get caugh with floating floating seaweeds (sargassum and such) and then start collecting other floating waste, agrrrr such a shame.
Please everyone do remember your reusable bags, but not only to the supermarket. If you go to the hobby store, or hardware store or any store, take your own bag.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Your comment about store policy to only put a few things in the bag reminded me of when I worked at a store. There was no store policy about that, but whenever I put more than a few items in the bag, people would whine and complain. (You sure put a lot of stuff in there, or, That needs to be double bagged, or other ridiculous comments.) I really didn’t fill the bags that full, so I started only putting a few things in the bags so I wouldn’t get grouched at anymore. (Needless to say, I do not work retail anymore. Hallelujah!)
I got the kind of bags that roll up and fit into my little purse. They are also very washable. I wash them and put them back in my purse most shopping trips. It is very rarely under 90 in Bahrain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, I keep my bags on the backseat of my car and still sometimes can’t remember to take them in the store! I like the idea of the disinfectant spray, thanks for sharing it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the article! I’ve been thinking about this lately and I shudder to think how awful my bags are! I’ve been using, but not washing them for…gulp…years! Thanks Jillee!
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