Carla Schwan, assistant professor and food safety Extension specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences’ nutritional sciences department, and Tracey Brigman, clinical associate professor and Extension nutrition specialist in the same department, spoke with Martha Stewart about reusing plastic freezer and sandwich bags.
“The best items to keep in a resealable bag to ensure it remains safe for reuse are dry goods such as baked products, cookie dough, grains or nuts (as long as it is not an allergy-triggering food),” Brigman said.
How often you reuse a plastic bag depends on a few factors, such as the material of the bag, how it is cleaned (and how well), and what was stored in the bag previously.
“Different bags and materials may withstand more washes than others. It is always a good idea to inspect the bag for any signs of wear or damage after each use and discard, if necessary,” Schwan said.
Before reusing a plastic bag, it must be washed it first, no matter what was stored inside. Make sure to scrub the seams of the bag thoroughly since food can get stuck in the seal. After cleaning, rinse the bag thoroughly and wait until it’s completely dry before reusing it.
“The best way to clean a resealable bag for reuse is to wash it with soap and water. Do not turn the bag inside out when washing, as that can result in stress or tears in the bag,” Brigman said.