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Without mincing words, freezer bags are one of the best things to be introduced into the world of food storage.
Since they were first launched in the 1960s, freezer bags have made it easy for users to pack launch and freeze leftovers.
But as useful as freezer bags are, most of us tend to get rid of them without giving them a second thought.
After all, you can purchase a box of 40 freezer bags for a couple of dollars, so why should you worry about holding back to them?
Unfortunately, despite their usefulness, freezer bags are still plastic and are considered to be one of the biggest issues when it comes to plastic bags finding their way into our waterways and protected environment.
While many single-use plastic bags come from retail and grocery, freezer bags also fall within this umbrella.
One amazing way to protect our earth is to wash and reuse your freezer bags.
So yes, it’s okay to wash and reuse your freezer bags.
Here are ways you can adequately reuse your plastic freezer bags to protect the environment.
Is washing and reusing freezer bags safe?
If you advocate less plastic, which is a good course, you should always encourage reusing freezer bags (not all of them).
For instance, reusing freezer bags to store your kids’ chips or sandwiches for launch is brilliant.
By doing this, you are playing an important role in reducing plastic waste and saving some cash you can use for other things.
To reuse freezer bags, you must turn them inside out and wash them gently with soap water.
After washing, allow them to dry before reusing them.
It’s even possible to place them on the top rack of your dishwasher and wash them.
However, ensure that the water you use isn’t scalding hot, as it increases the likelihood of BPA from the plastic getting into the food.
Never reuse some freezer bags
While the prospect of using freezer bags sounds all shades of exciting, there are some freezer bags you should never reuse, and you’ll learn why soon.
If you use freezer bags for storing and marinating meat, keeping them for the purpose of reuse isn’t a great idea.
Regardless of whether you do a thorough cleaning job after or not, the chances of bacteria lingering in the freezer bags should freak anyone out.
If you are a fan of healthy living, we are sure you wouldn’t want to risk getting sick because of using a bacteria-infected freezer bag.
So to prevent any chance of food poisoning, it is best to discard certain freezer bags after using them.
Also, if you use a freezer bag to store food items like shellfish or peanuts, we don’t recommend reusing them.
How many times can you reuse freezer bags?
It depends on the type of food that is being stored in your freezer bags.
If you use freezer bags to store food items like chips, sandwiches, veggies and more, you can use the freezer bags at least two to three times, which isn’t bad at all.
On the flip side, we only recommend using freezer bags once for food items like meats, shellfish, peanuts and more.
This is because these food items encourage the build-up of bacteria, which are difficult to get rid of, no matter how thoroughly you clean the bags.
If you were to reuse such bags, the chances of suffering from food poisoning or allergies are pretty high.
What are the benefits of reusing freezer bags?
There are many perks of reusing freezer bags.
To start with, reusing freezer bags is a brilliant thing to do if you are worried about reducing the plastic bag problems our world is bedeviled with.
On the flip side, reusing freezer bags is a smart way to save some extra bucks.
So instead of always having to buy new freezer bags, now and then, you can always reuse the ones you already have.
That said, make sure to wash them properly and allow them to dry before reusing them.
Are there any health risks of reusing freezer bags?
One question we get asked by recycling enthusiasts is whether it is safe to use freezer bags and, to be honest, some health risks come with reusing freezer bags.
Depending on the type of food you store with freezer bags, bacteria can build up within your freezer bags, causing harmful health complications, including food poisoning if not cleaned and stored properly.
So before you reuse freezer bags, ask yourself if you’re ready to deal with food poisoning.
And if you must reuse freezer bags, ensure that you wash them properly and allow them to dry fully before reusing them.
What kind of food can you store using a freezer bag?
There are a variety of foods you can store with a freezer bag.
From dried food to fresh foods to meats to veggies and more, there is nearly nothing you can store using freezer bags.
And because freezer bags are airtight, you can expect your foods to remain in great condition for a long time.
Do freezer bags get worn out?
Even though the prospect of reusing freezer bags sounds exciting, they aren’t indestructible.
After using them a couple of times, they tend to get worn out.
The good thing is, you get to use them a couple of times before discarding them and getting new ones.
Frequently asked questions
Who should reuse freezer bags?
If you always advocate for the use of fewer plastics, then reusing freezer bags should be something you often do.
Also, if you want to save some extra bucks, it makes sense to reuse freezer bags.
How many times can I reuse freezer bags?
Although freezer bags can be reused several times, they aren’t indestructible.
Nevertheless, you’ll be thrilled to know that you can use a freezer bag a couple of times.
If you use your freezer bags to store dried foods like grains, you can actually use them more times than when you use them to store perishable foods.
Where can I buy freezer bags?
You can buy freezer bags from nearly all retail stores close to you.
Also, you can order them online if that’s more convenient for you.
