How to Wash Resealable Bags

Resealable plastic bags, such as sandwich and freezer zip-closure bags conveniently store and transport a variety of food, household and personal items. These disposable plastic bags, however, clog up landfills and cause pollution during manufacture. Wash bags by hand and reuse them to take advantage of resealable bag convenience, while limiting the impact of the earth! Use the following instructions to wash and reuse your baggies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Turn the resealable bag inside out over a trash can. Shake out any crumbs or debris into the trash.

2. Swirl your inside-out plastic bags in a sink full of hot, soapy water. Use your regular dish washing soap. Drain the soapy water and fill with cool clean water.

3. Rinse the bags in the sink full of clean water with a swirling motion, or quickly rinse each bag individually under the faucet.

4. Hang the bags on a specialty bag dryer (see Resources) or on a normal dish draining rack.

5. Store bags flat and open when dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat the resealable bags like other dishes you hand wash.
• Most resealable bags stand upside down when turned inside out (with the resealable zipper area at the bottom). If your bags fall over on the drying rack, try hanging them on other dishes or silverware on the drying rack.
• Avoid putting resealable bags in the dishwasher.
• Ensure reused bags are completely clean before using with food.
• Rinse soap out of bags thoroughly before using with food.