"Updated: 8/10/2025"
The first step to raising healthy individuals is creating a clean living environment. Cleaning is often seen as a daunting task, but in reality, it can become quite practical with just a few small steps. When the thought of cleaning large spaces overwhelms us, we tend to neglect our immediate surroundings our personal space. However, what’s closest to us is actually the easiest place to start! One of the key areas we often overlook is the cleanliness of our personal accessories and bags that we carry everywhere.
Reusable shopping bags, in particular, are among the personal items that get dirty the fastest, as they carry a wide variety of products. Since these bags are used repeatedly, there is a risk of cross-contamination from previously carried items to new ones. And if you're carrying fresh produce and other goods in the same bag yikes! Because of these common mistakes, we want to highlight the importance of cleaning reusable bags in this article.
How often do you clean reusable grocery bags? And are you washing them properly? Such questions should concern us more, especially in light of new scientific data. Not so long ago, the University of Arizona and Loma Linda University in California joined forces and researched reusable grocery bags. This food-safety report says that our eco-friendly bags can also harbor a handful of harmful bacteria that can further endanger our health. Why should we and how should we clean reusable grocery bags to prevent any harm? Let’s find out today!
Food Cross-Contamination
The researchers learned during their survey that 97% of the respondents never washed their reusable grocery shopping bags. What was worse was that upon testing these bags, experts found E.coli contamination (in over 50% of the total tested bags).
This naturally raises the important question: How often should I wash reusable grocery bags? You should wash your reusable grocery bags regularly ideally after every shopping trip, and especially if they carried raw meat, seafood, or fresh produce. These items can leak juices that spread harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella without you even noticing. If you’re using cotton or canvas bags, just toss them in the washing machine with hot water and detergent, then dry them completely before the next trip. Even if your bags only held packaged or dry goods, washing them at least once a week is a good idea because they pick up germs from shopping carts, car floors, and kitchen counters. A helpful tip is to keep certain bags for specific groceries like one set for raw meats, another for produce, and separate ones for snacks or ready-to-eat foods. It’s a simple routine that can make a big difference in keeping your groceries, and your family, safe.
This naturally raises the important question: How often should I wash reusable grocery bags? You should wash your reusable grocery bags regularly ideally after every shopping trip, and especially if they carried raw meat, seafood, or fresh produce. These items can leak juices that spread harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella without you even noticing. If you’re using cotton or canvas bags, just toss them in the washing machine with hot water and detergent, then dry them completely before the next trip. Even if your bags only held packaged or dry goods, washing them at least once a week is a good idea because they pick up germs from shopping carts, car floors, and kitchen counters. A helpful tip is to keep certain bags for specific groceries like one set for raw meats, another for produce, and separate ones for snacks or ready-to-eat foods. It’s a simple routine that can make a big difference in keeping your groceries, and your family, safe.
When we pile foods upon foods in our reusable grocery bags, we entertain cross-contamination of foods. Moreover, we also entertain bacteria entering our food chain. If you use a canvas shopping tote bag for groceries, but you also take it to the gym, you risk even more health hazards to affect your family.
It is your answer in a nutshell: clean, reusable grocery bags as often and as carefully as you can. Some specialists say you should use more than one bag for food shopping and wash your bags at the end of the week. Yes, you should also wash poly shopping bags, not only cotton or canvas ones.
How Do You Clean Reusable Grocery Bags to be Safe?
Of course, in order to reuse a bag, you need to maintain certain hygiene standards. For this reason, bags should be washed or disinfected frequently, especially if they are exposed to the outside environment. However, it is important to remember that each type of material requires a different cleaning method.
What is the best way to clean reusable bags made of fabric? For cotton or canvas bags, the safest and most effective method is to wash them in the washing machine using hot water and regular laundry detergent. Make sure to dry them completely before using them again, as damp fabric can become a breeding ground for bacteria or mold. If the bag has delicate stitching or designs, you can hand-wash it with warm soapy water and let it air dry. Developing a habit of washing fabric bags weekly or immediately after carrying raw meat, fish, or fresh produce will keep them safe, clean, and long-lasting.
The most evident answer is to look at the manufacturer’s labels and wash accordingly. However, if you do not have tags to rely on, here are some general tips:
- Cotton and canvas shopping grocery bags: wash them as you would wash other cotton shopping totes or canvas items, but make sure you use hot water and detergent – heat is necessary for the elimination of E.coli risks. If you want to remove food stains from your canvas food shopping bags, dirt, grime, fruit/vegetable stains, soda, etc. use white wine vinegar for a pre-wash session. Moreover, use oxygen-based stain removers and cleaning agents containing enzymes to have crispy white, clean, and correctly disinfected grocery bags. Dry them in fresh air or dryer.
- Nonwoven polypropylene and recycled PET: wash them by hand in hot water with enzyme cleaning agents and detergent. You can also give them a spin in a gentle cleaning cycle, but use warm water as well. Never dry them in the dryer, as the heat harms the bags.
- Insulated shopping bags: if you carry meats in them, wipe them with disinfectant wipes after every use. As a general rule, if you want to disinfect your grocery shopping bags, use a pine oil, white wine vinegar, or phenolic disinfectant.
- Polyester bags: use warm water and liquid detergent to wash them manually. Use the gentlest cycle you have on the machine for a thorough wash and air dry them.
If you feel your grocery bags have an unpleasant odor to them, use the containers only when they are totally dry from the wash. Never store reusable bags – the dirty ones in particular – in your trunk, in the back of your car, or in-house drawers or cabinets. Never deposit them while moist either. Heat and humidity are the perfect environments for bacteria to thrive. Store your bags at home in a cool, dry place where air circulates freely.
If you use grocery shopping bags with inserts, clean them with a disinfectant spray. Make sure you also pay attention to seams, nooks, and fabric creases, as you do not want spilled juices, meat blood, or vegetable dirt to turn into toxic waste for bacteria to become monsters.
Other Tips and Tricks on How to Clean Reusable Grocery Bags
- One piece of advice coming from experts is to use as many natural fibers as you can: hemp bags and jute grocery shopping bags have inherent properties that make them resilient to mold, mildew, and bacteria.
- Never use chlorine bleach when you wash cotton or canvas shopping bags – it ruins the fibers.
- Storing reusable bags in a cool, dry place and keep them clean is a practical and important hygiene measure. Reusable bags often come into contact with a variety of food items, including raw produce and packaged goods, which can leave behind moisture, food particles, or bacteria. When stored in warm or damp conditions, these contaminants can multiply quickly, increasing the risk of cross-contamination during future use.
- To reduce this risk, reusable bags should be washed regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions typically in warm or hot water and thoroughly dried before being stored. Canvas or cloth bags are usually machine-washable, while some insulated or plastic-lined bags may require wiping with a disinfectant.
- By keeping reusable bags clean and dry, you not only prolong their usefulness but also maintain food safety and protect your health.
- If you prefer mesh grocery shopping bags, make sure you hand wash them in hot water and liquid detergent. Allow them to air dry.
- If you shop for groceries weekly, wash the bags on a weekly basis, as we mentioned above; if you use them daily, launder them at least after 2-3 uses, if not after each use.
The Process After Cleaning
Note that cleaning is not the end of the hygiene process. After a detailed disinfection, another question arises: How should I store reusable grocery bags after cleaning? Once your bags are washed and fully dried, they should be stored in a clean, dry place to prevent bacteria or mold from developing. Avoid leaving them crumpled in the trunk of your car, as heat and moisture can encourage bacterial growth. Instead, fold them neatly and keep them in a designated basket, drawer, or container at home, and only place them in your car right before shopping. This way, your bags stay fresh, hygienic, and ready for safe use every time.
How to Use Safely Grocery Shopping Bags?
Besides learning how to clean grocery shopping bags, another critical aspect related to their safety and your health is their everyday usage. Here are some ideas you can implement:
- Use separately colored canvas bags for the major food groups and home items you buy frequently: meat, produce, dairy and milk, fruit and vegetables, cleaning products, etc.
Hygiene is a must when it comes to reusing an item, but, what are the hygiene risks of dirty grocery bags? As we explained before, dirty grocery bags can carry harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, especially from raw meat and produce. Studies have found that over 50% of unwashed reusable bags test positive for bacteria, which can spread to other foods through cross-contamination and increase the risk of foodborne illness.
To prevent the spread of germs and cross-contamination, it's important to separate meat, fish, or poultry; fresh produce; and ready-to-eat foods during shopping, checkout, and storage. Use dedicated reusable bags for each category: one for raw meat, fish, or poultry; another for fruits and vegetables; and a separate one for ready-to-eat items. Always place raw meats in a disposable plastic bag before putting them into a reusable bag this helps contain any juices that may leak and prevents contamination of other foods. If you do not want separate colors, label the tote bags accordingly; - If you're going to be safe, use (and reuse) some plastic shopping bags as a double for canvas or cotton bags; meats, poultry, even eggs can leak. Even if the products inside the bag do not leak, you can still carry and transfer bacteria through the packaging and wraps;
- Do not mix the bags; use the ones you labeled for the purposes you marked them for and use a proper duffel bag for sports or the gym, a backpack for work or school, and a polypropylene shopping bag for detergents, cleaning stuff, and other chemicals;
- Never put the grocery shopping bags in the baby carrier area of the grocery cart, where the bacteria can multiply endlessly;
- Do not use bags you cannot wash or disinfect; the best and easiest to use are canvas shopping bags;
- As safety measures work, always add a cup or two of white vinegar to your washing machine load to make sure there are no bacteria, microbes, or stains to worry
Final Thoughts
As we have seen so far, cleaning your personal items creates a safer environment. Keep your reusable tote bags fresh, clean, and ready for every grocery run! Regularly washing your reusable bags isn’t just about cleanliness it’s about protecting your food, your family, and the environment. Whether you’re carrying produce, dairy, or household essentials, a clean bag helps prevent bacteria buildup and unwanted odors. It’s simple, quick, and keeps your sustainable lifestyle truly safe and hygienic. Let’s break down how to keep your reusable tote bags looking great and working hard!
Now that we learned why and how to clean reusable grocery bags, it is time for you to tell us what are your favorite types of shopping bags and which ones you use the most. Do you wash them in the machine or prefer hand washing? Are you using an extensive collection of bags – in different colors – for each type of groceries or do you only follow the “one bag to rule them all” principle?
Your Questions Answered
How do I wash reusable grocery bags?
Wash reusable grocery bags based on their material cloth bags can usually go in the washing machine with hot water and detergent, while plastic or insulated bags should be wiped down with warm soapy water or disinfectant. Always air-dry them completely before using again.
Can I put reusable bags in the washing machine?
Yes, cloth or canvas reusable bags can typically be machine-washed on a gentle cycle. Check the care label first, as some materials like laminated or insulated bags are not machine-safe.
How often should I clean my reusable grocery bags?
Clean your bags after every use, especially if they carried raw meat, produce, or dairy. Regular washing helps prevent the spread of bacteria and odors.
What happens if I don’t wash my reusable bags?
Unwashed bags can harbor harmful bacteria such as E. coli, leading to potential food contamination. Over time, they may also develop unpleasant odors and stains.
Are all reusable grocery bags washable?
Not all reusable bags are machine-washable some, like laminated or insulated bags, need to be hand-washed or wiped clean. Always refer to the manufacturer’s care instructions to avoid damaging the bag.
Can I put reusable shopping bags in the washing machine?
Yes, most fabric reusable bags made from cotton or canvas can go in the washing machine. Use hot water and regular detergent, then dry them completely before reusing.
How do you disinfect a reusable grocery bag after carrying meat or produce?
Wash fabric bags in hot water, or for plastic/polypropylene bags, wipe them with disinfectant wipes or a mixture of water and mild bleach. Always let the bag dry fully before storing.
What cleaning methods work for insulated reusable grocery bags?
Wipe the inside with hot, soapy water or a disinfectant spray, then rinse with clean water. Make sure to dry them thoroughly, as trapped moisture can lead to mold or odors.
Are reusable bags safe to use without regular washing?
No unwashed bags can harbor bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, which spread easily between foods. Regular cleaning is essential to keep them safe.
How can I remove odors from reusable shopping bags?
Wash or wipe the bag thoroughly, then let it air dry in direct sunlight if possible. For stubborn smells, sprinkle baking soda inside the bag and leave it overnight before shaking it out.
