How to Wash Reusable Bags

Reusable grocery bags pick up raw-meat juices, produce dirt, and everyday grime fast. Here's how to clean each common type so they stay safe, fresh, and last for years.

Canvas & cotton totes

Canvas is the easiest. Turn the bag inside out, shake out crumbs, and machine-wash on a cold or warm cycle with regular detergent. Skip fabric softener — it leaves a residue that traps odors. Air-dry hanging upside down so the seams dry fully; high heat in a dryer can shrink stitching.

For tough stains (berries, sauces), pre-treat with a dab of dish soap and let it sit 10 minutes before washing. Wash canvas bags every 1–2 weeks if you carry produce or meat.

Plastic & laminated (polypropylene) bags

The thicker reusable bags most stores sell are laminated polypropylene — they don't survive a washing machine. Hand-wash them in the sink with warm water and dish soap, scrub the inside with a sponge or soft brush, rinse thoroughly, and stand them open to air-dry. Don't put them in the dryer or in direct hot sun for hours; the lamination warps.

To sanitize between washes, wipe the inside with a disinfecting wipe or a 1:10 bleach solution, then rinse and dry.

Insulated cooler bags

Insulated bags need to stay dry inside the foam liner — never submerge them. Wipe the interior with hot soapy water and a cloth, then again with a sanitizing solution (one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water, or a kitchen-safe disinfecting spray). Wipe the exterior the same way, leave it unzipped, and let it air-dry completely before storing.

If a cooler bag smells musty, sprinkle baking soda inside, leave overnight, and shake out before the next use.

How often?

• Produce-only bags: every 2 weeks.
• Bags that carry raw meat or fish: after every use.
• Insulated bags: monthly, plus immediately after any leak.

Bag Au Pair can remind you on a schedule. Open Reminders and set the canvas-wash interval — we'll nudge you so it never slips your mind.