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A mum has revealed the ultimate grocery shopping hack – and she’s been using it for almost 20 years.
The New Zealand woman shared that she has used the same four Coles shopping bags since 2006, but washes them regularly to keep them looking new and smelling fresh.
She only owns five shopping bags, including an insulated container, and has saved hundreds on paper and plastic bags.
“It’s a beautiful sunny day here, thought I’d wash my shopping bags,” she shared on Facebook along with a picture of her clothesline.
‘I left them in the tub with hot water and detergent. Then I drained it and ran cold water while I lightly scrubbed them with my laundry brush. You made them in the washing machine and now they look like new again!’
The New Zealand woman shared that she has used the same four Coles shopping bags since 2006, but washes them regularly to keep them looking new and smelling fresh.
The mother said washing them by hand uses the least amount of water and electricity and does the job as well as her washing machine.
Many cashiers praised the mother for keeping her bags clean and revealed horror stories about their experiences at the counter.
“I remember my days at the checkout, some bags smelled so disgusting that I had to hold my breath to avoid vomiting and scan as quickly as possible,” one shared. “I don’t know how anyone could eat food after being stuffed into those smelly bags.”
Another said: ‘As someone who works the checkout at Cole’s, thank you! “The amount of smelly bags we deal with, whether soaked in urine or smelling like cigarettes, is disgusting.”
Others revealed that many shoppers don’t even clean their freezer bags after flesh and blood spills, and one even saw a dead mouse in a customer’s shopping bag.
The mother said that washing them by hand uses the least amount of water and electricity.
Washing your shopping bags not only keeps them bacteria-free, but it will also save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run.
Thousands of shoppers have consistently criticized the paper bags that have changed in supermarkets, with many claiming that they are not as durable as plastic bags.
Many also tend to leave reusable bags at home and buy the 25 cent bags over the counter.
While the sum doesn’t seem like much right now, it definitely adds up over time.
Many others shared that they also wash their bags regularly, and one even admitted to using her mother’s shopping bags from the ’80s.
“No need to keep buying bags, keep them clean and they will last forever,” said one woman. ‘I love my mother’s, I need to sew one of them. She finally took the stress off, but she’s from the 80s: she’s done an incredible job.’
“I use cooler bags for everything and often get compliments from the checkout staff on how clean my bags are,” said another. ‘I spray them with vanilla after using them. Well done, yours look fantastic for 2006 bags.’
‘I have canvas ones that fold up and have snap buttons to keep them folded. Only three, but they are nice and big. I’ve had them for about 15 years and I put them in the washing machine regularly,” said one mother.