How Many Times Can You Reuse A Ziploc Bag? Experts Weigh In
When it comes to storing food, Ziploc bags can be a saving grace. Whether it’s bread crumbs, produce, greens, or leftovers, there’s nothing more convenient or versatile. But Ziploc bags are typically intended to be single-use items, which isn't very environmentally conscious. Reusing as plastic bag just once should be fine, right? But how many times they can be repurposed?
Is It Okay To Wash And Reuse A Ziploc Bag?
According to Janilyn Hutchings, a Certified Profession in Food Safety from State Food Safety, the answer is yes, it is absolutely safe to reuse Ziploc bags. But there are some caveats.
“You can reuse Ziploc bags as long as they haven't been used for raw meat or other TCS foods,” Hutchings said. “TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods are more susceptible to bacterial growth than shelf-stable foods, so if you store a TCS food item in a Ziploc bag, there may be more germs inside the bag.”
It’s not a good idea to reuse a Ziploc bag if it has contained common food allergens, since any trace of allergens can contaminate other food items and be dangerous to an allergic person, she says.
You also shouldn't reuse a Ziploc bag that previously had non-food items and reuse them for food. “The chance that a physical hazard (like a piece of dirt, plastic, wood, etc.) or chemical hazard (like cleaning spray or powder) may contaminate the food item is too much of a risk,” said Hutchings.
How Many Times Can A Ziploc Bag Be Reused?
Bags that were used to store shelf-stable foods and frozen foods are safe for reuse. Since Ziploc bags are made from polypropylene and don’t contain any PFAs, also known as “forever chemicals,” there isn’t a set number of times that the bags can be reused until they need to be thrown out. Make sure to check the bag’s wear and tear. If they become damaged or no longer can be cleaned, they should be replaced.
How To Clean A Ziploc Bag
As for cleaning the inside of a Ziploc bag, it's fairly simple. "The best method for cleaning a Ziploc bag is to empty out the food particles as best you can into the trash can, put some soap and water in the bag, swish it around, rinse it with clean water, and air dry it,” Hutchings said. “It's usually not necessary to put a sponge or other cleaning tool inside the bag, and it's not advisable to turn the bag inside out because that could cause the seams to tear."
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