People who are conscious about the environment invest in reusable grocery bags. However, they come with different types of challenges. Often women find it a hassle to clean grocery bags at home. Fret not. We bring you tips to clean different reusable grocery bags at home.
How To Clean Different Types Of Grocery Bags?
How To Clean Nylon Reusable Grocery Bags?
You can clean nylon reusable grocery bags by hand using warm water. You can also wash it in the machine by running it under a gentle cycle. When using your hands, you must ensure to mix soap or detergent in warm water before soaking the bag.
When you wash a nylon bag, you must pay attention to details around the corners, crannies and nooks. You must not put it in a dryer because the heat can distort, melt and weaken it. It is a cleaning mistake that women must avoid.You can simply hang a nylon bag out in the open to dry after washing.
How To Clean Fabric Reusable Grocery Bags?
Most of the canvas grocer bags come with instructions for cleaning and washing. However, if you cannot follow them or accidentally took them out, you must ensure to soak them in warm water with the usual laundry detergent.
Hot water will kill bacteria like E. coli that often breed in the fabric of the grocery bag. You can dry it in the air after reshaping it. You can also clean it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. It is one of the few things that you can clean in a washing machine except for clothes.
How To Clean Insulated Reusable Grocery Bags?
Totes or insulated grocery and shopping bags require frequent cleaning compared to any other variety of bags. Their material includes waterproof cooler bag liners and heavy-duty nylon.
The liners are made of heat-sealed PEVA or silver foil liners. Keep a disinfecting solution ready at home. You can spray it and wipe the surfaces using wipes. A woman can also use disinfecting wet wipes. They can be used anywhere without a hassle. One must also ensure to clean the zippers as well. They might contain bacteria and germs.
How To Clean Plastic Reusable Grocery Bags?
Plastic bags are often made by weaving man-made fibres, for example, PET (a kind of plastic resin) and polypropylene. If you own such a bag, you can wash it in the machine under a soft and gentle cycle.
However, before you start washing the bag, you must disinfect it using antibacterial wipes, sanitiser or any other disinfecting product. You can also use diluted chlorine bleach for disinfecting the fabric. One must refrain from putting a plastic bag in the dryer. Instead, you can dry it in the air.
How To Wash Biodegradable Bamboo Bags?
Biodegradable bags are generally made of natural fibres like bamboo. They are good for nature. The airy construction of the bag keeps the fruits and vegetables fresh for a long time.
If you have a biodegradable bamboo bag, you can clean it in a washing machine using a laundry detergent. However, you must run it under a gentle cycle to prevent damage to the fibres.
How To Disinfect Grocery Bags?
Another crucial aspect of maintaining the hygiene of grocery bags is to disinfect them. It is an important step to ensure that no bacteria or germ gets transferred to the food.
The best process to disinfect grocery bags includes,
- Wear gloves to ensure that the disinfecting solution does not cause any allergic reaction to your skin.
- If possible, wear glasses to protect your eyes from the fumes of any mixtures.
- Use antibacterial wipes or paper towels to clean the bags.
- Air-dry the bags to get rid of any residue and the strong smell of the disinfecting solution.
What Is The Difference Between Cleaning And Disinfecting Grocery Bags?
Cleaner means removing dirt particles, germs and grease orink stains from the surfaces of grocery bags. You use soap or detergent with water to wash the bags and add a pleasant fragrance to them.
Disinfecting is the process of killing germs and bacteria that reside on the surfaces of grocery bags. It aims to restrict the spreading of germs that can lead to infections. However, disinfecting a surface does not mean cleaning the bag.
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How To Prevent Odour From Developing In Grocery Bags?
Repeated use of grocery bags to carry cold products, vegetables and fruits can add an unbearable smell to them. Therefore, after washing, you must ensure to dry the completely in the air before using.
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Women must also make sure not to store the grocery bags if they are unclean. One unclean bag can add odour and germs to another bag. You should also keep the grocery bag away from heat because high temperatures can lead to bacteria and germs growing faster.
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