How To Dry Reusable Ziploc Bags

If you have reusable Ziploc bags, getting them cleaned out and ready to use again can be a pain. It’s not so much the cleaning, but figuring out a way to get them to air dry is the tricky part.

The problem stems from, once you clean them out, setting them in a position where air can get to the entire bag so it can dry off, is hard. You can’t really set them down on a cloth, because only half of the bag will dry off in a timely manner. You can’t really stand them up on end, because they tend to fall over. This is particularly true if you’re using anything bigger than a sandwich bag. A gallon Ziploc bag for instance won’t’ hardly stand up straight.

You can buy racks designed specifically for drying plastic bags, but if you’re more of a DIY person, there are several solutions on how to dry your reusable Ziploc bags.

6 Ways For Drying Reusable Ziploc Bags

The biggest thing you want to avoid is allowing the bags to have too much contact with a surface as they dry. It will delay the drying process if you have to flip them over or move them. Also, just laying them down on a towel will work, but again, you might have to rotate them. Below are 5 ways to dry your reusable Ziploc bags.

• Use a drying rack. This will depend on the size of the rack as well as the size of the bag, but you might be able to place them inside out over the top of a couple of prongs, on the drying rack. The prongs will help prevent the bag from falling over, and the contact with other surfaces is very minimal.
• Use a wooden spoon or a whisk and glass. After you’ve washed the Ziploc bag, turn it outside out, put a long wooden spoon in a glass and hang the bag on the spoon or over the whisk. This way the bag doesn’t have much contact with anything and it can dry. Others say just placing around the glass also works.

• Use a wine bottle. Put them on the neck of the bottle and allow them to dry.
• A string across your kitchen sink or above the sink on a wall and then use clothespins to hand them. The string is also great for drying wash clothes and small towels too.
• I’ve also seen people use small magnets. You can flip them inside out and magnet them to a refrigerator or possibly the hood on the stove. Personally, hanging them on the refrigerator with a magnet seems like it would allow too much surface contact and could delay the drying process.
• Finally, use your dishwasher. After you clean them, place them over some prongs in the dishwasher. Keep your dishwasher open for a while and your reusable Ziploc bags will be dry.

As you can see, there are plenty of DIY options for drying your bags. Find a way that works for you.

Is It Safe to Wash And Reuse Ziploc Bags

Yes, you can wash and reuse your Ziploc bags. Just like any dish, you’ll need to wash with soap and water, turn them inside our for drying and your set. You do have to be careful that you don’t use screaming hot water cause this can break down the plastic of the bag. Gentle cleaning and completely drying off your bags, and you’ll be set.

Which Plastic Bags to Reuse

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Using plastic bags, especially thin, single-use plastic bags is very convenient, but absolutely horrible for the environment. A single plastic bag can take over 400 years to break down. Keep this in mind every time you buy a box of plastic bags. This brings me to my next point.

Plastic bags come in many shapes, sizes, and durability. The bigger and thicker the better. You can get thick silicon bags that are designed to be reused. They even have some that are dishwasher-safe Ziploc bags, so instead of handwashing you can literally throw them in the dishwasher with the rest of your dishes and clean them.

How To Store Reusable Ziploc Bags

The manufacturers are so good and packaging products these days. You can try and stuff them back in or you can lay them down, but I found neither is a solid solution for storing your bags. Once you pull a bag out, trying to stuff them back into the box requires a degree in mechanical engineering.

The solution is a great example of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Take your cardboard tubes from your bathroom tissue and place the smaller bags in them. For the gallon bags use an old paper towel cardboard innertube. Not only are you reducing waste, but you’re reusing the cardboard that you would normally throw away. It’s a win-win. If you don’t have a cardboard tube, I’ve found that using a koozie works well too.

Raw Meat and Reusable Bags

There’s a bit of controversy on whether you can store raw meat in bags and continue to use the plastic bag or toss them. After doing a bit of research, it really comes down to a personal choice. If you’re concerned about any bacteria being in your bags after you can use a vinegar solution to help get rid of any bacteria. If you’re still not comfortable using plastic bags with raw meat in them, please try to store raw meat elsewhere.

Wrapping up Reuseable Ziploc Bags

When possible try to stay away from using plastic, as we are all trying to reduce our carbon footprint. By now we are all aware of the consequences of manufacturing and using plastic. They fill up our landfills, producing them destroys our environment, and they just don’t have much longevity. That being said, if reusable Ziploc bags are used properly, they can serve a function. Be sure you’re cleaning them properly, and getting the most out of their useful life. When buying reusable Ziploc bags, try to stick with thicker and bigger. They may cost a bit more upfront, but will last longer and have less impact on the earth.