Think twice before tossing those plastic bags after your next trip to the grocery store. Plastic grocery bags have many more uses than just carrying your fruits and veggies. Repurpose them around the house to collect clutter, help you pack, and even clean your home more efficiently. Keep reading to learn our favorite ways to repurpose this household staple.
1. Line Your Trash Bin
One of the easiest and (most useful) ways to reuse plastic grocery bags is to line your trash cans with them. While they won’t fit large trash cans in the kitchen or garage, plastic bags work great for smaller waste bins in bathrooms, bedrooms, and offices. Keep a few under the sink or in a closet for easy access the next time you empty your waste bin.
2. Pick Up After Pets
Make cleaning up after your pet quick and easy by reusing plastic bags. Use a bag to pick up after your dog on a walk or to clean up your cat’s litter box. After picking up the pet waste, tie the bag closed and toss it in your trash bin outside.
3. Stock the Car
Keep a stash of extra plastic bags in your car to catch clutter. Hook the handles of a bag around a seat’s headrest to create a makeshift trash can for the car. Or keep bags in the glove box for any riders who experience car sickness.
4. Pack Luggage
Separate your shoes from your clean clothes the next time you’re packing for a trip. Slip shoes in a plastic bag to ensure they don’t drop any dirt or debris onto your packed outfits. Then, during the trip, use the bags to separate dirty and clean clothes in your luggage.
5. Store Brushes and Rollers
Instead of washing out your paintbrushes or throwing out used foam rollers, wrap them in used grocery bags and pop them in the fridge to keep them from drying out. This way, you won’t have to dirty and clean a brush or roller each time—you can simply take the bag off and keep using the same brush.
6. Stuff Your Shoes and Purses
Make sure your favorite shoes and boots don’t lose their shape by stuffing them with old plastic bags. Similar to how packing paper or cardboard molds fill the insides of new shoes, ball up a few bags and tightly stuff them into the shoe in between wears. This method also works to help purses keep their shape.
7. Use as a Pool Bag
Don’t run the risk of your wet towels damaging anything else in your beach bag. Instead, put them in a separate plastic bag. Use a plastic grocery bag to carry wet towels, bathing suits, sandals, and pool toys. Keep a stash of extras in your beach bag to use every time you go to the pool or beach.
8. Line Paint Trays
Painting can be a messy job. Make cleanup easier by lining your paint trays with plastic bags. When you’re finished painting, carefully slip the tray out from the inside of the bag and toss the bag away. Your tray will be clean and ready to go the next time you pick up a paintbrush.
9. Clean Faucets and Showerheads
Plastic bags can be helpful when completing household chores. Use a bag when you need to soak and clean faucets and showerheads. Tie the bag’s handles around the faucet or showerhead or secure it with a rubber band and soak until any grime has loosened.
10. Use for Craft Projects
Turn grocery bags into craft projects to make with the kids. You can create baskets, totes, and coasters all by cutting a bag into strips, braiding the strips, and weaving them together. Or, with more intricate weaving, you can craft DIY bracelets, hats, and even rugs.
11. Pack Fragile Items
If you run out of bubble wrap, newspaper, or packing peanuts when it’s time to move homes, use plastic bags to protect fragile items. Wrap the items in one or two bags, then place them in a box stuffed with crumpled-up bags. While plastic bags don’t offer the same support as foam peanuts, they will provide cushion around your item in a pinch.
12. Sweep Floors
One of the worst parts about sweeping floors is having to remove loose hairs and crumbs from the broom’s bristles. Instead, wrap a plastic bag around your broom. The bag will protect the broom’s bristles and eliminate having to touch what you just swept.
