Yes, I am that person… I wash and reuse zip bags! Do you?
Photo Credit – Ziplock
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By sowing frugality we reap liverty, a golden harvest. – Agesilaus
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When you come to our blog we want you to feel right at home.
You will see the good, bad, and THE REAL.
Without further ado, here is our DIRTY clean little secret. Maybe not so secret if you know us…
We wash our Ziplock bags.
Yep! We are those people.
And while we are at this confession business, we stick plastic silverware in the dishwasher. GASP!
Here are the reasons why we reuse them-
- They cost $
- It’s less wasteful
- There is soapy water in the sink anyways
Now the reality is, if we weren’t pinching pennies (You can read more about our journey to remove debt here.), honestly, maybe we wouldn’t have started this cause it can be a pain sometimes:
- A collection of them builds up in a real hurry. Where did all these come from?????
- Getting them to dry out, although I do like to cuff them like the pic above or use the tool I use to hold the bags when filling them.
- Having the kids bring them home but then leaving them in their lunch bag over the weekend and then they don’t smell so good.
- Washing it only to find out there is a hole in it…UGH!
In the end, we wash all the bags except the really used (ones that no longer zip) and the raw meat bags.
REUSE ZIP BAG TIPS
- Obviously, the thicker bags (freezer ones) hold up a little longer.
- Did you know you can use the top rack of the dishwasher? Just turn them inside out so the insides get washed.
- Dry completely before the next use.
- Again, no raw meat reuse.
Now you know how we have totally messed up our kids.
The oldest has already proclaimed he WILL NOT do this when he leaves home. Okay, mister rich man 😂
At least they will have great stories to tell their counselor.
Now, if you want reusable bags, we have you covered. Here is a tutorial to make some: DIY Reusable Sandwich Bags.
Do you scar your children and reuse your zip bags?
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MORE SALVAGING…
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That’s very frugal AND eco-conscious! I should totally start doing that – awesome tip!
Jen, it is frugal for sure. It usually works out since we are doing dishes anyways.
My Grandma always did that.The husband won’t let me or I would too. I am trying to eliminate them unless I am freezing meat or vegetables. Those freezer boxes just take up too much room. I have not figured out anything better for freezing than a zip lock or butcher paper, but it is even more expensive, We are using a lot of glass jars these days. Out son has a sandwich keeper and some small containers to tote to school. But if you are a frequent user of zip locks, it sounds like a super idea to me!
Busymama911 thanks for stopping by. We do use a lot of baggies cause the boys can’t seen to always get containers back home and in one piece. Plus, teen boys eat a lot so that many won’t fit without a suitcase 🙂
LOL!!! I can’t believe it!!! I thought I was the only person who washed out zipper baggies! You should see my crock of wooden spoons. That’s where I dry my baggies. After they’re washed and rinsed in hot water, I hang them over my wooden spoons to dry. Usually by morning they’re ready reuse. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I just found your blog today…but I will be back!
Thanks for making it real!
Martha
Martha, Hoooray!!! We are in our own secret baggie club now 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and we look forward to seeing you around. Please feel free to share any tips you have with us. We love to learn new tips and tricks!!!
Yes I do! I, like you, do not wash the ones that had raw meat in them. My baby and I are living on an income of only $95.00 a month right now, so we make a game of finding ways to save on utilities and other things around our home. I have faith that it will not always be this tough for us, but I remind myself that this is also a learning experience for her.
Sue, We have totally been there. Can remember when McDonald’s was not even an option!! We were just trying to have enough for necessities. It is difficult but it does usually pass and sometimes you can learn so much of true family ties while not having all the disturbances of material belongings. Thanks for visiting and feel free to share your wisdom anytime!!!! Blessings to you both!
I cracked up laughing when this post popped up on my Pinterest feed. I wash my ziplock bags too! My husband and I have stopped buying them altogether but they keep coming home with us when our parents give us leftovers. I can’t believe how many bags we used to throw out. Yikes! I’m going on a “save the planet” kick right now and this is one of the things I can actually do.
P.s. We wash our plastic silverware as well. Hahaha. I’m so glad I found this post. 🙂
Alisha, My kids think I am crazy but they will someday appreciate it. I rarely have to buy but sometimes I do just cause I like to use them for meat portions and I don’t reuse those. Thanks for stopping by!!!