When was the last time you cleaned your reusable bags?

Amid all the discussions on safe grocery shopping, sanitizing your groceries when you bring them inside, and of course washing your hands, you may have neglected the importance of cleaning your reusable totes and grocery bags. These bags are a great eco-conscious choice because they help you avoid single-use paper and plastic, but it’s this very reusability that makes them breeding grounds for germs, bacteria, and cross-contamination.

If it’s been a while (or never) since you washed your reusable bags, now is the perfect time to start good habits that will keep both you and your food safe. Consider this: Regularly washing and properly storing your bags can help prevent bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing on them, as stated by the American Cleaning Institute. Yuck!

Cleaning Your Reusable Grocery Bags

If you're like many people, you likely have more reusable bags than you know what to do with. No matter how many you own, the American Cleaning Institute recommends washing them after every use. If any of your bags contain plastic inserts, remove them first. You can disinfect them while the bags go through the wash. Then, wash the bags according to their fabric and care instructions.

Certain bags, such as those made of cotton, bamboo, and hemp, can go straight into the washing machine and either be machine- or air-dried (if you're concerned about shrinkage, skip the dryer). Woven and nonwoven polypropylene bags—those made from recycled plastic—can also be machine washed on a gentle cycle or hand washed with soap and warm water. These should be air-dried only. Nylon and polyester bags require similar care: hand wash in warm water, then hang them inside out to dry. Lastly, insulated bags should be hand washed or wiped down with disinfecting wipes. Pay extra attention to cleaning the seams.

How to Separate and Store Your Reusable Bags

Just like you wouldn't store raw meat next to fresh veggies in the fridge, avoid doing the same in your bags, as meat can leak onto the surface. If you don’t have the chance to wash your bags after every use, that leaked juice can cause cross-contamination. To prevent this, The Spruce suggests assigning specific bags for certain purposes. For example, designate one bag exclusively for raw meats. The same applies to cleaning products. Never use the same tote you use for raw chicken to carry items like diapers or your sweaty gym clothes.

When it's time to store your reusable bags, remember that while it might seem convenient to leave them in your car, doing so in a hot environment can turn them into a hotspot for bacteria. Instead, store them in a cool, dry area, ideally inside your home.

Sadly, reusable bags don’t last forever. If a bag becomes stained, overly worn, or simply won't clean up, it's time to dispose of it—or even better, recycle it.