Seven Unexpected Uses for Ziploc Bags

Nearly every kitchen in America has a collection of Ziploc bags. Although Ziploc is the leading brand, there are actually many brands and styles of these plasic, "zipper-close" bags. They come in a variety of sizes, from tiny to absolutely huge. Most people use them for food storage. However, Ziploc bags are versatile and inexpensive. Why not repurpose them? Here are some Ziploc bag ideas:

Ziploc Bag Idea #1 - Use Ziploc bags for packing your suitcase. Use small bags to collect hosiery, underclothes, or jewelry. Seal up your toiletries in a Ziploc bag to prevent leakage. Larger bags can hold rolled outfits (less wrinkles) and then store the dirty clothes until you get home. Pack your shoes inside Ziploc bags to prevent the soles from dirtying other items. Place souvenirs in bags to protect them on your way home.

Ziploc Bag Idea #2 - You pack your child's lunch in a Ziplok bag, but that's not the only backpack possibility! Roll a complete outfit of clothing into a gallon-sized bag. Press the air out, and seal. This is also a good idea for gym clothes, which can be brought home in the bag as well (stinky!) Use a small bag to create an "emergency kit" for an older child - a sewing needle and thread, a stain stick, a small candy bar, and a few bandaids.

Ziploc Bag Idea #3 - If you and other family members take medicine, it's all too easy to confuse the bottles and accidentally get the wrong medicine or wrong dose. To avoid this danger, corral each person's medicine in their own Ziploc bag. Use one of the bags with a write-on label, so you can put names on the bags.

Ziploc Bag Idea #4 - Use a one or two gallon bag to hold an entire meal. Having meals in the freezer saves time and money on nights when you're too tired to cook. It's easy to make freezer meals - simply double (or triple) the recipe you're making for dinner tonight. Cool in the refrigerator, portion into Ziploc bags, and add label and date. There are a few foods which do not freeze well, and most meals need to be eaten within a month.

Ziploc Bag Idea #5 - Ziploc bags are perfect for collections of small toys. Because plastic bags are dangerous, parents must be very careful to only employ this strategy with older children, or with younger children under total supervision. To avoid the danger, the toys could be put out to play and the Ziploc bag stored in a childproof location. This is a great solution for toys with many parts, such as puzzles or Legos, and for toys with small parts, such as Polly Pocket. They can be used for doll clothing, crayons, play-doh and hundreds of other things!

Ziploc Bag Idea #6 - Make your own wipes! If you're tired of paying high prices at the store for diaper wipes, window wipes, counter/bath wipes, and so on, it's easy to make your own with a Ziploc bag, a roll of paper towels (remove tube and flatten) OR a package of paper napkins, and home-made cleaning solutions. For diaper wipes, use just water or baby oil. For window cleaner, add a few tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and water. You can also use these as hand-sanitizing wipes. For kitchen and bath cleaner, use a few tablespoons of vinegar and water. You can also try a teaspoon of bleach and water. If you'd like it to smell nice, add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil (not fragrance oil!)

Ziploc Bag Idea #7 - Keep a package of Ziploc bags in your car. On rainy days, stash your umbrella in a bag to keep your carpet dry. Keep a small container of oil or power steering fluid from leaking by sealing it in a Ziploc. Corral your jumper cables in a bag, rather than leaving them in a jumble. Make an emergency kit containing aspirin, a small sewing kit, bandaids, a CPR kit, hand sanitizer, feminine hygeine items, and a small roll of duct tape. Stash maps and other papers in Ziploc bags to prevent tearing. Keep a few of the extra-large bags in your trunk for "messies" - your child's muddy soccer uniform, the gallon of detergent that starts leaking, wet towels after a trip to the pool, and any other dirty or smelly items. You can also set bags underneath wet or dirty passengers - just tuck the top into the seat.

As you can see, Ziploc bags are extremely versatile! There are probably 101 uses for them - but these seven ideas should get you going!