How To Clean Reusable Bags

So you’ve made the switch to fabric eco bags from plastic? Great!

Reusable bags are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags for carrying shopping home from the supermarket, but the fact that these bags are used again and again means that if you’re not careful they can start to harbour bacteria. We’ve got the details on how to clean each type of eco-friendly bag, as well as our top tips for keeping them clean between washes.

Washing reusable bags

Keeping your reusable bags clean is especially important when carrying fresh produce in them. Prevent bacteria and mould from growing on your bags and contaminating your food by washing bags between each use and storing them correctly. Ideally you should wash bags between each use, especially when they have been used to carry unwrapped food such as loose vegetables and other fresh produce. Many bags will have care instructions printed on the inside, but we’ve summed up our general advice for the most popular bag materials below.

Polypropylene Bags

These bags made from recycled plastic products can be wiped clean with disinfectant- make sure to pay close attention to the seams which can be a hiding place for crumbs. These bags can also be hand washed in soap and water. Always leave polypropylene bags to air dry as they can get damaged in the tumble dryer.

Cotton Bags

Made of natural fibres, these bags can usually be machine washed on a standard cycle with hot water and laundry detergent. They can then be either tumble dried or hung out to dry. Be careful with bags that have been screen printed, as washing them can make the ink bleed. If in doubt, wash in cold water at first.

Bamboo Bags

Bamboo is naturally antibacterial but is not completely resistant to stains and dirt, so handwashing or machine washing on a gentle cycle is best in order to keep these bags clean. You can then either tumble dry or line dry them.

After you have washed your reusable bags, make sure that they are completely dry before storing them. Help prevent bacteria growing by storing your bags in a cool, dry environment. The best way to keep bags clean between washing is to use different bags for each purpose- bags that can be cleaned easily are best for fresh produce, and avoid using the same bag for food shopping and other items such as sportswear. Labelling your bags with their designated use will help to keep them separate.