How To Clean & Disinfect Plastic Bags So You Can Reuse Them Around The House

We may live in a culture that is growing in its awareness of the planet and the need for sustainability, but there are many common blindspots as to how to make your home more eco-friendly. One example of this is the American obsession with single-use plastics. According to a 2018 report, the average American family uses 500 Ziploc bags a year, and that only accounts for the bags purchased, not those acquired when you are buying shredded cheese or your favorite trail mix. One Instagram creator, however, has a nifty tip for getting more use out of these convenient but conventionally wasteful resources.

@cindydoedee, self-described as a "forager and fruit fiend," runs a popular Instagram account in which she displays ways to repurpose and reuse commonly disposed-of items. In one video, she shows how she reuses all sorts of resealable plastic bags that most individuals would throw away. She begins by taking an empty bag, opening it, and squirting a little dish soap into it and about a cup of water. She then seals the bag and shakes it vigorously before emptying the soap and water and rinsing the bag thoroughly. Finally, she uses a dish rack to hold the open and upside down so it can air dry.

If you're new to the idea of reusing cleaned-out plastic bags, you might be at a loss for how you would use something like this. The reality is that there are a multitude of clever ways to repurpose resealable bags. You can easily use a clean bag to store dry goods in your kitchen or even dried herbs if you are short on spice bottles (but check the bag for lingering smells from its original contents, which could taint the flavors of the food inside moving forward). These baggies also can make great on-the-go containers for snacks when traveling or taking your kids to the park. 

Beyond the kitchen context, clean plastic baggies can hold various household items. Random hardware parts can be placed inside; just remember to label what they belong to so you can find them later. Additionally, these bags can also be ideal for storing small items such as paper clips, which may otherwise simply slide around a drawer and get lost. Use them for personal care products like hair ties and bobby pins, or fill them with travel cosmetics instead of purchasing a new box of Ziplocs.

While this trick is very appealing at first glance, especially for those concerned with sustainability, there are several concerns to be aware of. Firstly, while the Instagram creator showcases herself washing out the bag without inverting it, the best way to get the bag perfectly clean is by turning it inside out before scrubbing and rinsing. This will not only allow you to clean the seams thoroughly but also free any debris that could remain trapped in tight corners. You'll also want to be cautious when using this trick if anyone in your house has food allergies. Even a small amount of debris from a reused bag could trigger a reaction in individuals who are sensitive, so beware of the needs of your household members.

Depending on what the plastic bag was used for, you might need to retire it without giving it a second thought. This includes bags from meat, eggs, fish, dairy products, or highly perishable items (like salad mixes). These substances can fester bacteria quickly, and trying to use their containers again is a bad kitchen habit that you need to break. Additionally, be sure to give your washed-out bags the sniff test from time to time, even if you are convinced that you thoroughly sanitized them. Should you notice any stinky odors, toss or recycle the bag immediately to avoid unsafe food storage. Finally, if you see any damage to a bag, simply throw it out.