If you’re like us, you have acquired quite the random collection of reusable bags, from cotton to linen, canvas, and possibly even ones made from reusable plastic bottles. It’s great to have a bunch; it ensures that you won’t ever be caught juggling leaving the grocery store. But, we have a question for you. Have you ever thought about the number of bacteria that could be lingering on your bags? Gross! Check out some tips below for cleaning those bags.
The cotton ones seem like the easiest to care for but they can really start to look worn if you don’t take care of them correctly. Never wash them in warm or hot water; the delicate cotton will shrink! We suggest washing them with your delicate clothes, and a light dry is all they need. Even doing this, your bags might still have wrinkled and twisted handles. It’s an easy fix; just take your flat iron and quickly run it over the handles. Voilà, good as new!
Heavier canvas bags are a little easier to care for. We suggest investing in these when you can. They also need to be washed like delicates but can be hung up to dry for a good-as-new look. Just re-form them straight out of the washing machine, clip them to the drying line from their bottoms and walk away. The lightweight fabric doesn’t take more than a day to dry, then they’ll be ready to head back to the store.
Not all your reusable bags can be tossed in the machine, so pay attention to the materials. Anything made from recycled plastic has to be wiped down. When you unload your groceries, just wipe down the insides and the bottom and you are done! Try to use an all-natural cleaner. Remember, you toss your food in them and it’s better to avoid any extra chemicals coming in contact with our food. Try this quick and easy all-purpose cleaner that can be used on your bags and on your surfaces at home: Combine ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 20 drops lavender essential oil, and two cups water. Don’t worry, the vinegar smell goes away once it dries!
Once again, we congratulate you on making the switch to reusable bags! Cleaning them might seem like a challenge but don’t worry, you will get into the habit and then it will become simple. If you need extra encouragement, just think of it as helping to clean up our planet every time you wash your reusable bags. No more plastic on our watch!
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