Cleaning Reusable Shopping Bags

Reusable shopping bags are a win for the environment and the way of the future.  Every time one of these bags is reused less plastic ends up in our landfills and waterways. Reusable bags might be a lot cleaner for the environment, but they still need to be washed. Washing reusable bags is an easy task and protects you and the people who handle your bags. Here are some helpful guidelines to keep your bags clean and ready for use.

Cloth and Canvas Bags
The best and easiest way to clean canvas or cloth bags is in the washing machine. First, shake out the bags to remove bits of food, dirt, and other debris.  Use a hot water cycle and detergent.  You can toss them in with other items, such as towels or linens. After washing, either line-dry the bags or use a gentle cycle dryer.

Plastic Bags
Wash anything made from recycled plastic (a.k.a. polypropylene or PET bags) by hand in warm soapy water, then spray or wipe down inside and out with a recommended disinfectant. Don't forget about the inner and outer seams, where pathogens can accumulate.  Allow the bag to dry completely before storing or using it.

Nylon Bags
Flip the bags inside out.  Wash by hand in warm soapy water or in your machine in a gentle setting to prevent the bag from coming apart. Then, let your bags air dry. Hand washing and air drying your bags will extend their lifetime, thereby decreasing the bags’ ecological impact.

And There’s More! For safe reusable bags follow these guidelines:

• Use a separate bag for raw products like meat and poultry. Raw foods should be kept away from ready-to-eat foods at all times.
• Use separate reusable bags for food items and non-food items (e.g., household cleaners, detergents, etc.). This prevents cross-contamination of chemicals and keeps your food safer!
• Do not store bags in your car or garage.  The warm environment can encourage the growth of bacteria.
• At this time, there is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 spreads via reusable bags. The CDC still recommends cleaning shopping bags after each use, because other diseases are known to spread more readily on surfaces than COVID-19.

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​Terry Scholl is a member of the Asheville GreenWorks Plastic Reduction Task Force. "I love our lands and oceans which unfortunately are being destroyed by throwaway plastics.  I want to do my part to reduce single-use products, especially plastic bottles and grocery bags.  Will you help?​"

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