How to Store Reusable Bags {& Remember To Take Them}

How to Store Reusable Bags - In Basket on Shelf

Most of us are using reusable grocery bags these days—but figuring out how to store reusable bags without ending up with a giant pile by the door is another story. Reusable bags are often one of the first sustainable swaps I recommend to those looking to live more sustainably.

The best way to store reusable bags is to keep them contained in a basket, tote, or bin near your door or pantry. Fold soft bags together, stand structured bags upright, and keep another set in your car so you always have them when shopping.

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How To Store Reusable Bags

Before we moved into our house in Sacramento, we kept almost all of our reusable bags in the trunk of our car. We’d bring them in, unload them, and then hang them on the back of the front door handle to take back to the car. This was also before we had a kiddo.

Once we moved into our house, however, I started to keep more of them inside – for quick trips to the market, or even to hold my reusable mug as I walked to one of my favorite Sacramento coffee shops in the afternoons.

To prevent our stash of reusable bags from overwhelming a space, however, I’ve really embraced having a bag or container of some kind to hold the bags.

Store Reusable Bags in a Basket or Bin

At first I used one of those square jute bags. I liked that it had structure, so it stood on the shelf. Then I stuffed it with the bags – sometimes in an orderly manner, sometimes in the “I’ve got a baby and don’t have any time, but I want my home cleaner” manner. IYKYK!

So a structured bag is great for keeping it looking more together. Then I bought the farmers market basket seen in these photos to use for…wait for it…farmers market shopping! I quickly swapped out the jute bag for this and have loved it ever since. I feel as though it looks styled rather than just functional.

Any basket will do, honestly. And I’ve had great luck with finding baskets at second hand stores – usually just for a few dollars – or in my local Facebook groups. Read my Buy Nothing group review to learn more.

But if you’ve been thinking about buying a farmers market basket anyway, it also makes a wonderful reusable bag storage basket at home.

As you can see, I keep a fair bit in this basket. I have two empty egg cartons I take to the market to exchange (when the chickens are laying happily that is)!

I keep my two jute bags standing upright along one side of the basket. And then I shove (yes, I admit to shoving) all the flexible bags and my reusable produce bags into a single bag, so that I can easily take them in and out whenever I need to grab the basket to go to the market!

It’s not an elaborate system, but it works quite well!

Store Reusable Bags in Your Car

As for storing reusable bags in the car, I use the same idea as inside. I either keep them all in a single, larger bag in the trunk, or in a basket in the trunk that has all kinds of car things – bags on top, as we use them the most!

Grocery Bag Sizes

There are a slew of grocery bag sizes and I think they each have their purpose. The bags that get the most use in our house are the smaller totes. They have structure and really hold a lot of what I need at any given time.

Small Tote Bags

These bags are often the lined jute with firm handles and a flat bottom. These fold up flat, which is great for small spaces. They’re also the easiest to use for quick errands, a quick run to the market, or just a catchall for taking items to a friend’s house. We have 2-3 between the house and cars actually!

Medium Shoulder Bags

These are about the size of a standard paper bag, though they’re obviously made of cloth. Most of mine like this have a shoulder strap but aren’t a crossbody length. These are good for true grocery store runs, holding all the things together!

Large Reusable Tote Bags

We have a few large reusable tote bags, but I use them the least of my reusable bags. I find I use them most when we’re doing a road trip or something where I just need a huge catchall. These bags tend to lack structure and I’m not sure how much weight they can actually hold, so they can be tricky.

Reusable Produce Bags

I also keep a few reusable produce bags tucked inside one of my grocery bags so they’re always ready for loose fruits and vegetables. Keeping them together means I never have to remember them separately.

How Many Reusable Bags do You Need?

I get it! At first you appreciate every free reusable bag you receive. Then suddenly you have far more than you actually use.

Every reusable bag requires resources to produce, so the most sustainable approach is to use the bags you already own for as long as possible instead of continually collecting new ones. Reusable bags are designed to be used hundreds of times, making them a great swap—as long as they’re actually getting used.

The exact number you need depends on how you use them.

If you do one massive grocery store run every week, then you probably need:

5-8 medium bags for weekly grocery shopping
2-3 bags for quick errands
1-2 insulated bags for frozen foods
1 collapsible tote for those big shopping trips (looking at you, Costco!)

If you shop a couple places/times per week, then you probably need:

3-4 medium bags for weekly grocery shopping
2-3 bags for quick errands
1 insulated bag for frozen foods
1 collapsible tote for those big shopping trips (looking at you, Costco!)

Looking for more simple swaps to live more sustainably? I’ve put together a free Sustainable Swaps Guide filled with practical ideas you can start using today—one small change at a time.

When should you get rid of reusable bags?

Reusable bags are designed to last a long time, but they don’t need to multiply forever. If a bag has rips or holes (and can’t be fixed easily), then try to find a new way to use it or dispose of it.

If you’ve accumulated more than you realistically use, stop accepting free bags and pass extras along to a local food pantry, thrift store, school, or Buy Nothing group. If none of these work, then I at least use the bags one more time to gift/donate items to someone else. Every use is good!

Ultimately, you should only keep only the bags you regularly reach for – no matter how much you paid or what they mean. Downsizing my reusable bags was one of the easiest things I decluttered in our home. See my decluttering checklist for more simple ways to reduce clutter around your home.

How To Clean Reusable Grocery Bags

The best way to clean your reusable grocery bag depends on the bag, but the two methods are both very easy.

Machine Wash

This is for your unlined bags – all those canvas and cotton bags. You can simply throw them into the washing machine. I’d recommend air drying. This is the best for ease.

Spot Clean

For lined bags (including my favorite structure totes), a spot clean is best. You can start with a wet rag and dab it. Use a dish soap or gentle laundry detergent on your wet rag if needed for stains. Be sure to ‘rinse’ the soap out with a damp rag or you might end up with a soap stain.

How To Fold Reusable Bags

I used to just throw all my soft reusable bags into the basket pictured here and called it a day. And it’s still a perfectly fine method, but last year I downsized my reusable bags to what I felt we really needed.

Then I found a basket from another spot in our house and began folding my reusable bags neatly and nicely into the basket. I LOVE how it looks. It makes having my reusable bags out in the open not seem like a functional thing, but a considered effort.

Here’s how I fold bags that aren’t structured.

Lay the bag flat.
Fold the sides inward.
Fold the handles over onto the bag.
Fold the bag in half (small) or thirds (medium-large).
Store upright in a basket or bin.

If you’re making the switch from disposable bags, it’s also worth learning how to recycle plastic bags properly. While some plastic bags can be recycled through store drop-off programs, they shouldn’t go in your curbside recycling bin. That’s one more reason I prefer keeping reusable bags organized and easy to grab whenever I head out.

Are reusable grocery bags worth it?

Absolutely—but only if you actually use them.

Like most sustainable swaps, reusable grocery bags aren’t about being perfect. They’re about creating a simple habit that reduces waste over time. Every trip you make with a reusable bag is one less single-use plastic or paper bag that needs to be produced, transported, and disposed of.

The key is choosing reusable bags you’ll enjoy using and keeping them somewhere you’ll actually remember them. That’s why I think having a simple storage system matters so much. When your bags are easy to grab, using them becomes second nature.

And don’t feel like you need to buy an entire matching set to get started. Use the reusable bags you already have, stop collecting extras you don’t need, and replace them only when they’ve reached the end of their useful life. In sustainability, using what you own is almost always the best place to start.

How Do You Remember to Take Bags to the Car?

Remembering reusable bags might honestly be more difficult than how to store them. Truthfully, it will become a habit at some point to grab them out of your car as you head into the market.

To get them back into our car, I always pop them onto our front door handle right after unloading them. Then I take them out whenever I head out next. Then we have enough just living in our car whenever we end up at the market.

If you do happen to head into the store without your reusable bags, however, just ask to have your groceries put back into the basket without bags. You can bag them when you get to your car.

FAQ

What’s the best way to store reusable grocery bags?

Keep them in one basket or bin near the door and another set in your car.

Should reusable grocery bags be washed?

Yes. Wash cloth bags regularly, especially after carrying produce, meat, or dairy. Spot-clean lined bags as needed.

How many reusable grocery bags do I need?

Most households only need about 8–15 bags, depending on shopping habits and the number of vehicles. A few extra bags are better than finding yourself without one at the store, but avoid collecting more than you’ll realistically use on a regular basis.