How to wash reusable produce bags, and when a compostable bag fits better

If you've got reusable produce bags in the cupboard, a little care keeps them clean and in service for longer. And if you keep forgetting them, or they've gone a bit funky, there's a practical alternative for the fruit and veg aisle. We'll cover both.

Why wash reusable produce bags at all?

Soil, bits of leaves and juice from fruit all collect in the seams and corners of a produce bag. Left damp, they can get mouldy and smelly, especially in a warm Australian kitchen. A quick routine stops that before it starts.

Before you wash

1. Empty the bag and shake it out as soon as you unpack your shopping.
2. Turn it inside out so the seams and corners get cleaned too.
3. Check the care label. It's the best guide to what your particular bag can handle.

How to wash them

By hand

1. Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of mild detergent.
2. Swish the bag around gently, paying attention to the seams.
3. Rinse well until there are no suds left.
4. Press the water out gently. Don't wring or twist fine mesh.

In the machine

• Pop bags in a mesh laundry bag so they don't tangle or snag.
• Use a gentle cycle and cool water, unless the care label says otherwise.
• Go easy on the detergent. Too much leaves residue that holds on to smells.
• Take them out as soon as the cycle finishes.

By material

• Fine mesh and synthetic bags: hand-wash or use a gentle cycle in a laundry bag.
• Cotton and other natural fibres: usually happy with a gentle machine wash. Expect a little shrinkage over time.
• Coated or lined bags: wipe them down rather than soaking them.

Drying and storing

• Air-dry in the shade. Strong sun can weaken some fabrics over time.
• Make sure bags are completely dry before you put them away.
• Store them somewhere with a bit of airflow, such as an open basket near the door, so you remember to take them.

Stains and smells

• For lingering smells, rinse more thoroughly and use less detergent next time.
• For stains on sturdier fabrics, a paste of bicarb soda and water rubbed in gently often helps.
• If a stain doesn't shift, wash again gently rather than reaching for something harsher.

When to retire a reusable bag

• Seams are splitting or the drawstring channel is torn.
• Smells hang on even after a proper wash.
• The mesh has holes that let small produce fall through.

When a compostable produce bag is the better fit

Reusable bags only work if they're with you when you need them. Plenty of shoppers, and plenty of greengrocers, need something simpler. That's what our Compostable Produce Bags – Commercial Roll is for.

• Single-use, by design. No washing, no drying, no remembering. Use one for your fruit and veg, then put it in your home compost.
• Certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).
• 470 bags for $39.95. That's about 8.5c a bag.
• Tested on a shop floor. We trialled the roll at IGA Berry in NSW for two weeks, with a 3 kg load limit.

They suit greengrocers, supermarkets and market stalls looking to replace conventional plastic roll bags, and households that get through a lot of fresh produce. After use, they don't go in the wash. They go in the compost. Our guide to compostable bags and the green bin covers your council FOGO options too.

Keep the roll somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun. Our shelf life guide explains why.

Keeping produce fresh at home

Once your fruit and veg are home, our guide to storing vegetables without plastic has tips for the fridge and pantry.

For shops: why a roll works

If you run a greengrocer, supermarket or market stall, most customers won't bring their own produce bags every time. A roll of certified home compostable bags lets you replace conventional plastic roll bags without asking customers to change how they shop. Mount the roll where the plastic one used to be and keep spare rolls somewhere cool and dry.

Mixing the two

Plenty of households use both: reusable bags when they remember them, and a compostable roll bag when they don't, or for the wet and messy stuff like herbs and leafy greens. There's no wrong answer. The goal is fewer conventional plastic bags, and both get you there.

FAQ

How often should I wash reusable produce bags?

Shake them out after every trip, and wash them whenever they look or smell dirty, or after they've held something wet or messy.

Can I wash ZERO's produce bags?

No. ZERO's produce bags are single-use and certified home compostable. When you're done with one, put it in your home compost.

Who are ZERO's produce bags for?

Greengrocers, supermarkets and markets replacing conventional plastic roll bags, and households that want a simple, compostable bag for fruit and veg.