Please Do This One Thing

With the move to end plastic bag use, many are switching to reusable bags. In fact, back in January, my home state of Colorado decided to start charging people if they use plastic bags in hopes of pushing individuals to use reusable ones. And some reusable bags are stylish enough to be a fashion statement. Take, for instance, the ones at Aldi and Trader Joe’s, which have some of my favorite designs. But many employees at your favorite grocery store are starting to get fed up with these reusable bags—and not for the reasons you think.

Trader Joe’s Employees Are Urging You to Clean Your Reusable Bags

Look, I get it. When I use my reusable bags, I throw them in my car without a care in the world and completely forget about them until it’s time to go grocery shopping again. What most of us forget is that these reusable bags get pretty dirty in between shopping trips and unfortunately, retail employees are starting to take notice.

In one Reddit thread, one Trader Joe’s employee pleaded with customers to clean their reusable bags. “As a crew member that can vouch for every single Trader Joe’s employee here, please for the love of god clean your disgusting bags,” they wrote. “The other week, I found a live cockroach in a ladie’s bag. I was absolutely disgusted on the verge of throwing up and crying. Thankfully, my brave coworker got a produce bag and killed it. I’ve [also] encountered many smelly bags. If you are gonna make us bag your items, at least do us the favor of clearing and cleaning your bags.”

Others quickly chimed in with other equally gross stories. Some have found more insects, a dead rat, and even soiled clothing items.

“A customer continuously kept bringing in bags that smelled like cat pee and there were visible pee stains,” one user explained. “So, we offered him new ones so we wouldn’t have to touch it. He denied. Then, we slipped in some new bags for him to take home. He still refuses to bring the new ones in and throw the old ones out.”

How to Clean Reusable Bags

There’s no need to put your grocery store workers through these awkward encounters! Here’s how you can properly clean your reusable grocery bags:

• The method of washing your reusable bags is dependent on the type of bag you have. If it’s a cotton or hemp bag, you can throw it in your washing machine in cold water on a gentle cycle with soap. If the bag is screen printed or dyed, test wash it with similar colors. 
• A canvas bag should be washed in hot water with detergent in the washing machine, then dried in the dryer.
• Insulated bags should not be washed in the washing machine. Instead, spray with a disinfectant solution and wipe down. 
• If you’re unsure about throwing your bag in the washing machine, hand washing is always a safe bet. Fill your sink or tub with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Soak the bag for a couple of minutes, then use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe down the inside and outside. Rinse well with hot water and invert over a drying rack to air dry. 
• Always ensure you’re drying your bags properly so they don’t have a buildup of mildew and be sure to disinfect your bags thoroughly.