Re-usable grocery bags: What is the safest option?

[Anonymous]

We've never washed ours or wiped them down.

no illness here

[Anonymous]

I'm in the "don't overthink" camp. If a tote is very soiled or something spilled on it I clean it with a clorox wipe or wash it (you can wash the plastic covered ones in the laundry). If it's really yucky I just throw the bag out. Otherwise, I figure a few germs aren't likely to kill me or my family. There's research indicating that some germ exposure is a good thing for our immune systems. Yes, you CAN be too clean.

[Anonymous]

I just have them put things that could cause a problem into a plastic bag before it goes into my reusable bag. And yes, you can say it defeats the purpose, but I think using 2-3 plastic bags for meat still is better than using 15 plastic bags to haul my groceries home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just have them put things that could cause a problem into a plastic bag before it goes into my reusable bag. And yes, you can say it defeats the purpose, but I think using 2-3 plastic bags for meat still is better than using 15 plastic bags to haul my groceries home

+1

[Anonymous]

I use the envirosax too. Easy to wash, easy to carry, hold a ton, and hold up really well.

[Anonymous]

We have a few brands and they all fall apart. I do wash them occasionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the "don't overthink" camp. If a tote is very soiled or something spilled on it I clean it with a clorox wipe or wash it (you can wash the plastic covered ones in the laundry). If it's really yucky I just throw the bag out. Otherwise, I figure a few germs aren't likely to kill me or my family. There's research indicating that some germ exposure is a good thing for our immune systems. Yes, you CAN be too clean.

Ditto. First world problems

[Anonymous]

I keep one back for meat and eggs and only use that bag for those products. I put all other products in the other bags. I'm pretty sure most of the risk of contamination comes from the raw meat products. If anything leaks in that bag, I chuck it. If a bag gets gross, I buy a new one.

[Anonymous]

It has never occurred to me to wash these bags....never.

[Anonymous]

I'm not worried about this. I wash all produce before eating or slicing. What should I be fearing here?

[Anonymous]

Ikea bags for me; grocery, beach, laundry, toys, whatever. At 60 cents they can not be beat, never had one tear.

[Anonymous]

Another envirosax user here I toss them in the wash once every couple of weeks or when they're really grimy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It has never occurred to me to wash these bags....never.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been a bunch of news stories and articles suggesting you need to clean those bags. Here's one.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Reusable-Grocery-Bags-May-Present-Health-Risk-Study-Says-208978051.html

I wonder who funded those University studies?

[Anonymous]

For what it is worth, whole foods will swap out your falling apart bag for a new one and do it for free. I've had two swapped out, at the cashier's suggestion. I have washed them, usually after it comes up in a dcum thread.