How to Wash Out a Baggie

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

08 Mar 2007 12:18 PM

Yes it's a cliche, but haven't you always secretly wanted to do it? Here are some tips on how to wash, dry and reuse baggies, and a safety precaution.

Okay, I'll admit it, I usually throw out my baggies when I do use them. But, a dear friend pointed out that I really wasn't being frugal that way. So, without a clue as to the proper techniques, I did some research, and here is what I came up with:

Washing baggies

There are several methods of washing out baggies. Here are a few of the most mentioned ways.

• Turn the baggies inside out and rinse them
• Collect several used baggies. Fill your sink with soapy water and soak the baggies for a few minutes and then rinse them.
• Buy a special baggie cleaning contraption that will allow you to wash them in the dishwasher (yes, they really do make this!)

And one way I don't think I would ever try...

• Wash them in the washing machine on the gentle cycle.

Drying baggies

Some people choose to dry their baggies with a towel, because the towel method keeps the baggies free from water spots. But the most common methods of drying baggies all seem to revolve around hanging the baggies over a pole or prong in a sort of rack system, and letting them drip dry. Here are some ideas for frugal baggie-drying racks.

• The large utensils you keep in a utensil crock work well to suspend your drying baggies. This is the method I used this week! I was so proud of myself for thinking this one up. Ha ha.
• A bunch of chopsticks suspended in a jar filled with rice offers a lot of baggie-drying opportunity. This is a brilliant idea that keep coming up all over the place, from websites to private e-mail.
• A stick or two inserted into a drink bottle works well if you only have one or two baggies to dry. My husband loves saving and reusing Arizona iced tea bottles. Unfortunately, I tend to annoy him buy throwing out the metal caps I find lying around. Fortunately, I can still use the bottles for the baggies.
• Use a baby bottle drying rack. I probably wouldn't buy one of these new just for baggies, but maybe you can find one on freecycle or in a thrift store.

Safety precaution

Never, ever, ever reuse a baggie that has held meat, no matter if it has been frozen or fresh, cooked or uncooked. You can get very sick from the bacteria when it comes in contact with other food, no matter how carefully you wash your baggies. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to bee too frugal, and this is one of those times.

Okay, so my adventures in baggie washing worked out well this week. I still have to get over the look of clutter on the countertop, though. Anyone have any suggestions for hiding the drying baggies?

Come on admit it! Have you ever washed out a baggie?

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Julie Gentry (5915) 08 Mar 2007 03:03 PM

Thanks for the tips! I put my meat in the cheap ones, then put that into the expensive freezer bags (which I then reuse). I hadn't thought of washing them in the washer!

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 08 Mar 2007 04:45 PM

Double bagging is a great idea. This way you don't waste the more expensive freezer bag. Thanks for the tip!

jonesx6 (1606) 10 Mar 2007 05:10 AM

I have never washed a baggie out. My grandmother did. She would wash it out and then hang it on the clothes line. This was easier for her b/c the clothes line was right out the back door. LauraI

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 11 Mar 2007 06:15 AM

Ah, I never thought of using the clothes line!