I wash my bags that are washable. If I can't wash the bag, I don't use it for groceries. I have two insulated ones for cold stuff and I use Clorox wipes to clean them. Meat goes in a grocery store plastic bag, and depending on how fast I can get home, may or may not go in the insulated bag. Grocery store employees have told me how nasty some of the re-usable bags are.