Asked on Jan 16, 2017

Tip: Neat Storage for Plastic Bags

What to do with all of those shopping bags that will come in handy later? I roll and tuck in the ends to form a ball and toss in a basket. Easy to grab an individual bag in a hurry and they actually don't look too bad left out in plain sight .

(re: Cleaning Tips Challenge-http://www.hometalk.com/diy/e-cleaning-tips-challenge-26729461)
Groceries unpacked and a big pile of bags in the middle of my floor! Watch how I get rid of the mess...
Rolled and stored compactly in a basket ready to reuse, recycle and even repurpose! When I have an overflow I donate them to the goodwill because they are always looking to replenish their supply.
  18 answers
  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jan 16, 2017

    This is brilliant, I hate the messy look of bag-in-bag-in-bag-in-bag. You've figured out how to make it look classy!!

    • Thanks, a few think it's time consuming but really once you get the hack of it there's nothing to it, plus it saves time in retrieving it again when you go to reuse it!

  • I miss all those Bags! Our county voted to do away with single use bags. How they can consider them single use is beyond me! What do they think I use to line the trash baskets with, use for the cat boxes, use for dog doo, carry extra fruit to my neighbors in, etc? So now I get to buy plastic bags for all those things. Makes no sense. And buy reusable bags that we now bag our own groceries in.

    • Kni10003596 Kni10003596 on Jan 21, 2017

      I would be more than happy to send you bags. Let me know if you want them.

  • You and I are resourceful but many others are reckless when it comes to using plastic bags! I suspect we'll have no choice but to go plastic free soon since so many end up in landfills and oceans.

  • Shui Shui on Jan 17, 2017

    Nice

  • Ailsa Ailsa on Jan 17, 2017

    my bags are stored in a "sleeve" made from a tea towel stitched together along the long side to make a tube, elastic threaded through the bottom hem to close it a bit and tape through the top hem to make a hanging loop, roll up the bags load them into the sleeve through the top and pull out at the bottom, it lives in the broom cupboard sitting on the ironing board hook, very handy!!

  • JoLeen Bolton JoLeen Bolton on Jan 17, 2017

    After putting the groceries away, I take the bag 'o bags to my recliner with me and while I watch the news, I flatten and fold them and stack them in a clean bread bag to store them. I keep a pile of them in the bottom of each trash can so when I remove the full bag, a fresh one is right there. I also keep several in the pocket on the door of my car...you never know when you'll need one.

  • Ann Ann on Jan 17, 2017

    I use a clean empty plastic milk jug. Cut a hole, just big enough to get your hand in, on the side of the jug.. Stuff individual bags into the hole as you get them. Pull one out when you need one. I keep my jug under the kitchen sink. If that jug gets full, I started another jug and move the full jug to the bathroom linen closet or vanity where I pull them out to line the trash can or carry away the many paper towels I use to clean the bathroom.

  • JO JO on Jan 20, 2017

    I made a dispenser using a plastic coffee can with a rectangular slot cut out of the cover; take cover off to fill with bags, pull bags through the slot as needed.

  • Janet Duncan Janet Duncan on Jan 20, 2017

    I took a small baby dress (0-3mos.) and sewed the bottom hem closed. I then hung it on a toddler hanger and hung it on the side of the fridge on a sticky hook. The front of the dress has 3 snaps that go from the neckline to the waist that I can close 1 at a time as it gets full.


  • Alt15789566 Alt15789566 on Jan 20, 2017

    How many of you do not realize that it All comes from mama earth? Either off of it or out of it.

  • Carol Carol on Jan 20, 2017

    Fold neatly into a square, then store all bags into another bag hung on basement banister. Then I can tell how large bag is, if all folded same way. Sometimes I need a bigger one than usual size. Use Target bags (sturdy) for shoes in suitcases when traveling. Donate many standard bags to church, they make "plarn" (plastic yarn) which is crocheted or knitted into mats for the homeless. Waterproof, lightweight, softer than sleeping on ground. I try to use reusable bags when shopping, or just put purchases into my (large) purse instead of MORE BAGS! Neatly folded & flattened bags are more pleasant to reuse than crumpled ones, unless needed for doggy duty when it does not matter! (Both kids' households have a dog.)

  • Hel7733615 Hel7733615 on Jan 21, 2017

    I fold and stack mine in Kleenex boxes..

  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jan 21, 2017

    I donate all mine to a thrift store, a group that makes the homeless mats and just use them for general garbage disposal around the house.



  • Kaioverbeck Kaioverbeck on Jan 21, 2017

    I re-use mine; keep in a drawer. When I get too many I take the majority and stuff in one bag and tie it off. Then I take it down to Fred Meyer and they have a donation reuse bin and throw mine in there.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jan 28, 2017

    You can also donate used grocery bags to your local food bank.

  • Lindy Puente Oelke Lindy Puente Oelke on May 04, 2017

    I use old tissue boxes and keep them in the bathrooms. I also save used dryer sheets in the boxes for quick wipe downs or dusting.

  • Anne Barrows Hernandez Anne Barrows Hernandez on Jun 15, 2017

    fold them individually like a flag and tuck the handle section into the triangle.