These are the ones I made for my mom.
http://kalamaquilts.blogspot.com/200...and-tears.html
I made these with the left overs.
http://kalamaquilts.blogspot.com/200...ack-sacks.html

I have a couple more of this type of tablecloth, ultra sturdy and will make some more when my cheapie sacks wear out.

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.

Very enlightening - thanks for sharing I wouldn't have thought about some of this.

I'd suggest washing the cloth ones after use and wiping out the plastic ones with a disinfecting wipe at the very least. Taking it further, I'd designate one or two plastic ones for meat only and whenever possible, putting the meat into a plastic bag that the store provides when you put it into your cart. Thanks for an informative article.

Oh, and I'd keep that travel sized hand sanitizer in your purse and car at all times. In light of the bad flu season alone, I use it as soon as I get back into my car and I use it after touching the packages of meat. Also take advantage of the disinfecting wipes the stores offer to wipe your cart handles down. I have been doing this for the last 2 years and I haven't been sick since I adopted this practice. Stay healthy!!

Here in Wales, UK, there has been a charge for plastic bags for a year or two so all us quilters have been busy making totes for our family and friends and they are fast becoming a fashion statement!

Here are just a few, I also have a Purse organizer, bought them as Christmas pressies this year as well for those who had a tote from me last year. It makes changing bags so easy, and keeps everything organised when loading the bag with shopping, and of course they are fully washable, win win :)

Yup==and generally the bag disintegrates in the wash, which is why I make my own. Also, I have designated bags that I only put meet in, and ones that I only put produce in, both of which are washed regularly.

I have 2 insulated ones I got at thrift store. I use one for meat one for all other cold items. I made several totes from the plastic grocery bags and they are very strong. I found heavy duty material at a yard sale and made 2 bags for my daughter. We love the reusable bags. I was the insulated and my crocheted bags (the grocery store plastic bags)with vinegar , all others in washer. They are holding up well.

After each weekly grocery trip-my DD washes hers; hangs them to dry in the summer and in the winter runs them through the dryer. She also takes a couple of plastic bags to put her meat into; then puts them into the cloth bags. DD uses Lysol/clorox (depending on what she has available) to wash her bags and only her bags are in that wash cycle, she also runs an empty cycle after the washing of the bags; again with the Lysol or Clorox. Seems like alot but it does keep her family from getting ill.

The bags from the stores that are not plastic lined do not wash well

Years ago I had a set of four white canvas shopping bags that I used. I washed them regularly and it was amazing how often the grocery store clerks would remark on how clean my bags were. Evidently, they were used to seeing some really nasty ones. :D Those bags are long gone and I do have some plastic reusables - I clean the insides with those Clorox wipes.