GrannieAnnie

My washer runs almost every day--------------so the washing is no problem

GrannieAnnie

I'm with you on the homemade bags that hold more.

GrannieAnnie

I sew the straps with a boxed X pattern so I don't have to worry about them coming loose.

barking-rabbit

T shirts make nice bags for the mall. So many ways to make them too. Google t shirt bags.

Tothill

Wow lots of opinions about shopping bags.

I am in BC Canada and one of the big discount grocery store chains has charged for bags since they opened over 16 years ago.

A local chain started to push for reusable bags and got rid of plastic shopping bags all together (except produce bags). You can have paper shopping bags, or use reusable bags and get a discount of 3 cents per bag as well as a monthly draw for a basket of treats. They sell the reusable bags for $1.00 but they go on sale for 25 cents regularly. This store still bags your groceries, will take them to your car and does delivery for seniors and shut ins. Oh and meat is wrapped in plastic to avoid any leaks.

When we shop at Safeway and forget to bring bags from home the clerks only put a couple items in each bag. It is ridiculous.

I have never had a reusable bag rip and spill my groceries, like has happened on more than one occasion with plastic bags.

As far as bacteria goes, do the studies look at where it comes from? Does anyone measure the bacteria load in shopping carts or hand baskets? Everything I buy is packaged or wrapped before I put it in a bag. Once we get home fresh food is washed or cooked before consumption.

Oh and Fabricland, our Canadian fabric chain store charges for bags too.

Tudey

I deconstructed a bag from Safeway that was made out of some weird fabric that disintegrates when washed. I made my own pattern from that. I have had a blast making lots of grocery bags---in fact my mom and sisters and sisters in law and niece are all getting some for Christmas. They are sturdy and washable and colorful!

Grace MooreLinker

I wash my bags, need to remember to bag fresh fruits and veggies in the bags that are at the site for them. there
have been problems with the re usable bags .

HillCountryGal

Belfrybat..
I used webbing for the straps. Sewed them between the sack and part of the top I cut off, then ran another stitch. They are easy to wipe out and keep clean. Several of my friends have them in the pickup truck for muddy boots, etc.

roserips

I have made several of these and really like them since they fold up small to put away or take with you for next use. I do recommend washing after a while since they do get dirty.

rjwilder

I live in Calif. in an area where Wal-Mart doesn't have bags, you can either bring your own or buy theirs. I have dozens of homemade bags and keep them in our cars. My bags are all washable and the ones for meat are made from fabric with a vinyl liner. Bacteria is all over the grocery store, shopping carts, hand baskets, in the crates the produce is shipped in, on the hands of the workers, and the conveyor belt at the checkout. So, if you are really concerned about the bacteria and the bags you should wash all your produce before you put it inthe refrigerator and wipe down all the meat containers, boxes and cans before you store those. Just think, how many times have you been in the store and a child is coughing or sneezing? That's all airborne bacteria and germs landing who knows where. Another thought, do you take your purse into the restroom? If so it's full of germs and bacteria, how many of you go home and put it on the counter or table? I don't think there is an easy way to avoid bacteria and germs anyplace we go.