25 Brilliant Uses for Plastic Grocery Bags

Don't Throw Them Away, Recycle Them Instead

If you're like me, you always find yourself with a huge stash of plastic grocery bags. No, it's not because I shop for groceries that often. Everytime I visit any store, I end up bringing home additional plastic bags. Even if I purchase just one item, it ends up inside a plastic bag.

But I'm not complaining. Because, these bags have so many various uses around my home that I wonder what I would do without them. If you have at least one indoor cat and a litter box, for example, you can line the box with a plastic grocery bag. Then, once the bag is dirty, just tie it up and place it in your garbage can. Speaking of garbage cans, who doesn't line their trash cans with plastic bags? The bags make it easier than ever to keep the cans clean. Also, it's easy to just pull the bag out on trash day, tie it shut, and dispose of it. I keep extra bags in the bottoms of all my trash cans so there's always a replacement handy.

A third use for recycling bags struck me one day when I was packing up some fragile items to put in the mail. Bubble wrap is rather expensive to buy. Anyhow, I don't use it often enough to want to store a box of it in my house. So, I crumpled up several plastic grocery bags and cushioned the items with them. I found out later they arrived at their destination safe and sound!

Plastic bags also have a use in your clothes closets too! Just cut a slit in the top of one and slip it over a hangerful of clothing. The bag keeps dust off the clothing, especially the shoulder part. Or, if you have purses stored in your closet- and what women doesn't?- you can help them keep their shape by filling them with crumpled up plastic bags.

I use this type of bag to store small blankets, afghans, and throws in too. You should either add a cedar block or a few moth balls to the inside of the bag before you tie it up. The smell will deter pesky moths and help to make your closet smell fresh.

If you want to place pillow shams on your bed, but you have no pillows, just substitute plastic grocery bags instead. If they get flat, you can fluff them back into shape in no time. The same goes for filling puffy window valances. Crumpled up grocery bags make a great filler because they're so light.