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 keep my reusable bags in the trunk of my car when not in use. I have one that is insulated for frozen/refrigerated items. They are folded and kept in one of those fabric storage cubes. That way, even I get inside the store and realize I don’t have my bags, they are just steps away.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I store my reusable bags in a large camping-style cooler in the garage; it’s hard to walk past without remembering to throw it in the trunk! The cooler corrals my perishables (stored in heat-reflective bags for an extra layer of insulation), keeping everything cold til I get home without even using ice packs, and that’s a good 25-minute drive. Those heat-reflective bags can be inverted and sprayed with disinfectant to dry in the garage until the cloth bags are washed and dried, then everything gets put back in the cooler together for next week!
I shop mostly at Aldi, so you pretty much have to BYOB or pay per in-store bag. It’s harder to psych up enough to BYOB to the regular supermarkets, though, because often the cashier isn’t used to handling cloth bags and you end up holding up the line behind you. I generally let them bag it in regular plastic, then reuse those bags for trash can liners and other things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I buy the most awesome shopping bags at……SAM”S CLUB of all places. They sell a 2 pack for less than 5 dollars that have short handles to carry by hand or longer ones to put over your shoulder. They are pretty big since they are made for warehouse items, but I find I can fit a weeks worth of groceries in 2 bags. Surprisingly sturdy and always amazed at how much they hold. I hate myself every time I forget to bring them with me. They are too big to be used at traditional grocery stores, so I have the cashier scan everything, I put it into my cart unbagged and bag it as I put it in my trunk. Things are packed how I like them-some canned goods in each bag so I can lift them, bread, eggs and chips together, etc. People always ask where I got them because they are so cute: black and white hounds tooth, black and white paisley, black and white harlequin…are you seeing a trend?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Listen to this song/watch this video and you will never forget your canvas shopping bags. Only problem is that I sing it while checking out…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVh15aUt8-c
Please log in or create a free account to comment.As for baggers (which we do not have) who do not use your bags to your convenience or if you let them use the plastic ones for the sake of time or whatever: why not simply ask them to put all products back in the cart for you, instead of packing? That way, you can pack your stuff yourself afterwards.
Being from Germany, almost everybody now brings their own bags for shopping. Plastic ones are charged at 0,25 EUR for the smallest. I never think about bringing bags, it is a habit here.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always have one or two shoppers that fold themselves into a pouch in my handbag which hold quite a lot and even in my gym bag for emergency shops. I also got large ones from IKEA or a self-made one in which supersized (think 10pack toiletpaper plus kitchen towels etc.) and lightweight stuff find their place. And even one of those fits nicely in my handbag additionally to the folded smaller one. The only thing I do is, I do not shlepp around unnecessary stuff in my medium-sized handbag, so I always have enough space.
The city of Eugene just stopped the use of the plastic bags and charge for the paper ones. I shop at Winco where you bag your own groceries which I love. I can only put certain things together and I don’t have to make them too heavy to carry into the house. Have not used a plastic bag now for months. When I grew up in England we never got bags at the grocery store we always carried them so have gone full circle. I take a bunch with me to the farmers market too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How about spraying them with Lysol and letting them dry?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love my reusable bags and I’m a nurse so I always wash my reusables right after using and then put them on the table by the front door until I can get them to the car. Problem is with a lot of the reusable bags, washing and this crazy florida heat I was having them disintegrate into nothing. So I went to a site called Baggu.com and the bags are a little pricey to start out (around $8 each for the standard size) but they are made of parachute material. Light weight and VERY strong. I’ve had my set for about 8 years now and wash them at least 1 time a week and no rips, tears or frays. Well worth what I paid for it and with the money saved from store discounts for bringing my bags… paid for many times over.
To give you an idea of strength. I can carry 2 gallon jugs of tea in one.
(Baggu.com has a lot of different sizes and styles too! Not just the one similar to your I’m a keeper bag above.)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We make use of all those scandalous plastic bags. Liners for all the small wastebaskets in the house, sending meals (six-eight people at a time) to the field during planting, harvesting, etc, sending things back and forth to our family’s houses (forgotten grandkids shoes, etc) . Preschools use them. If I ever get more than I need the thrift shops appreciate them. I’m not against reusable bags at all and I have several I use but we need to remember everyone’s needs are different. I am all for conserving resources and protecting our beautiful planet. Empty oatmeal canisters are useful to send cookies home with grandkids. I try to reuse throwaways when I can. We burn our trash so if possible I reuse my large kitchen garbage bag at least once. This was a really good post about keeping our bags clean. I like the idea of a spray bottle of vinegar and eo.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Our local grocery store (Hannaford Brothers based out of Maine) USED to offer a nickle for each cloth or reusable bag you brought in. They stopped it. WHY? I can only guess because they’re cheap and for all their posturing about being green and sourcing local veggies, etc. they really don’t give a darn about the environment or their customers.
I know, Jillee, that I probably shouldn’t use their name, but they deserve to be shamed in my opinion.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It could be that the effort worked so well that most of their customers now bring bags and yes, the 5 cents per bag became more expensive for them. But stopping the program while still driven somewhat by the expense, is more of an indication about how well their program worked and less about nickle and diming their customers. They have had the program for a long time (I didn’t know it had stopped) and I think were one of if not the first in our area to do it. I still have one of the first canvas bags they used to sell when they started encouraging reusable bags and have to say it is my favorite. I try to use it just for veggies but have to admit that doesn’t always happen, it’s worn and well used and does get washed. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have had a cashier tell me some cashiers don’t actually like when people bring their own bags in. I don’t know why – they seem easy enough to pack. Certainly easier to handle on my part.
Plastic bags drive me crazy as they are of poor quality and the stores try to shove $75 worth of groceries into 2 bags (I think they forget they are not carrying them into my house for me).
Nevertheless, I always forget my reusable bags (thanks for the reminder by the way – they are getting washed tonight). You would think with my gripe about the plastic that I’d remember a little better.
But that said, all is not lost as I accumulate the plastic bags and donate to a local children’s hospital thrift store here in Virginia Beach. They get out of my house and into someone else’s.Everyone wins. :D
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have gotten in the habit of using reusable bags. I wash the bags periodically, but they are probably due for another washing. One more thing to add to the weekend list…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had no idea that you should not leave them in your vehicle like I DO! Thanks for the tip, but Lawd I’m gonna forget to take them now. Thanks for the tip!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I make t-shirt shopping bags which I love and just throw in the wash everytime I use them! Find great ones at thrift stores for $1 or less.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee- by now you have figured I am a little bit of an odd critter and have no problem sharing my thoughts. I love this post. Washing the bags is something people rarely think about; thank goodness for science experiments. How about the experiment on the shopping cart child seat–all those leaky diapers–nuff said. I place the hand carry basket stores offer in the seat & and fill my tee shirt bags as I go.
When it comes to bagging I am really very aggressive. I let the bagger/cashier know up front; I tell them I am fanatical about organizing the bags and that I will bag myself. My shopping orders are generally 3 carts full. They sigh–but when they see me empty the bag they packed so I can pack it my way, they either conform or give up
For produce, refrigerated/frozen & meats I make bags from old shirts (like Jillee taught)–I make mine, when I can, out of old sweat shirts because they are more rugged. They get washed after each use.
For dry goods I use bags I made from empty Dog Chow bags. They are super strong and I have plenty of them. Sounds crazy I know. I cut a strip off the top (it will become the handle), fold them in on themselves so the top meets the bottom and duct tape it closed, I then use the cut strip to form 2 handles and actually use machine screws to attach the handles. When the bags finally give (hasn’t happened yet–been almost 2 yrs.)–I’ll take off the hardware (to re-use). I have had several people ask if I sell them. Every so often I spray the bags with vinegar & water solution to disinfect them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I buy cute reusable bags and hang them off the back of my seats in my car. They make cute garbage bags that don’t have to be thrown away when full. I don’t put food or drink items in them so they stay clean for a long time. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love using my t-shirt bags that I learned about here. Because they are made from old shirts I know I can wash and dry them with no issues.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In our town they have banned plastic bags and now charge 25cents per paper bag. I really miss having my bags from the grocery store as they were far from one use in our home; dog waste, bathroom trash liners, taking things to friends….Now I often forget to bring them into the store and end up bagging things up when I return to my bags in the car. Doesn’t bother me too much unless the cart wheels lock before I get there.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m a bag snob and am mildly horrified that people don’t washe their bags on a regular basis. I use the Trolley Dolly (which is a bag of bags) and I store it in my kitchen. We use cloth napkins so my shopping bags go in with the wash with the cloth napkins.
These are some AWESOME tips! thanks for sharing them!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been a reusable bag user for a while now, but never have the “washing” issue a lot of thought till my previous hometown if Austin, implemented the law banning throwaways. At that time someone made a comment, and that got me thinking, so now I’m an avid washer. I toss all my totes in the wash with both my detergent (Allen’s Natural) as well as BAC-Out, to ensure I’m getting those puppies clean. We also started using reusable produce bags, which I regularly wash in the same manner.
I still feel that while toting clean bags are good, you can’t just blindly think that these same germs/bacteria are not elsewhere, like the cart and the conveyor belt at check out. Just do your best, but don’t have a panic over it all. ;)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I live in Austin currently, and definitely need to get in the habit of washing my reusable bags with the new plastic bag ban in place. This biggest problem I’ve run into is remembering the bags when I arrive at the grocery store. I always have them in my car trunk, but in my haste of locking the car and thinking about my grocery list I usually walk into the store without them and have to go back!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I do the same thing, Allison. I do wipe out my reuseable bags with a hydrogen peroxide spray, about every two to three weeks.
May God bless your family, Tracy! Hang in there and have faith!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep my canvas bags washed all the time. It never fails that I go into the store and the checker/bagger comments…and thanks me…about my clean bags. They have tales to share about the bags people use that would literally curl your hair. Gross! and beyond gross!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I always wash my reusable bags, each time I use them. Mine are all the nylon ones sold by Greater Good websites, so I am also helping charities like Animal Rescue and Breast Cancer when I buy the bags! They have pictures of dogs, pink ribbons, etc. on them, which helps get the info about the sites out there. Someone is always asking me where I got them. Since they are nylon, they also take up very little space, and can be carried in my larger purses, and that is where I put them as soon as I take them out of the drier. By the way, Jillee, I am using my homemade detergent from your recipes when I wash them!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Last year I was in Maui and found that it was illegal to use/dispense or sell plastic bags for groceries or any retail sale. Maui is the first of the islands to go this route and they’re trying to keep plastic bags out of the oceans. They have in the stores paper bag, re-usable bags and insulated bags. And the latter two are sold almost everywhere. As a nation we are very good at throwing things out instead of re-using. Since being on Maui, I’m trying my best to repurpose or recycle items every chance I get.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You could also spray them with cheap vodka. This is what mascot costumers use to disinfect costumes that can’t be laundered or dry-cleaned on a regulare basis.
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