If there's one thing you will find in nearly every home, it's Ziploc bags. Usually stashed away in a kitchen drawer, these trusty bags are a staple when it comes to packed lunches, food storage and travel. They're durable, waterproof and completely versatile, and the best part is they're affordable too.
But, there are so many other uses for these bags, most of which you probably haven't thought of, and our experts have shared their favorite eight ways to put them to work, including removing crayon marks and filing papers.
They're perfect for many home organizing ideas, cleaning and storage, and can be reused again and again.
8 surprising ways experts love using Ziploc bags
1. Organizing DIY and craft supplies
Ziploc bags are a crafter's dream, as they're available in many different sizes, making them perfect for storing bigger items such as yarn, as well as smaller items including sequins and stamps.
'Ziploc bags are great for DIY and craft projects,' says Hagan Kappler, CEO of Daisy, an automation company focused on optimizing homes and offices. 'My kids use them to organize beads, buttons, ribbons and other small items for school projects. The see-through material makes finding what they need quick and easy.'
If you're organizing a craft room, Ziploc bags in all sizes from Amazon are a tried and true solution to keep your supplies organized and accessible.
2. Filing and storing papers
'A gallon sized Ziploc bag will easily hold a stack of 15-20 papers, and you'll never have to think about dropping them or worry about them getting wet,' says Kevin Connnors, professional organizer and owner of Inspired Organizers. 'You can also write on the bag what papers it contains with a sharpie.'
These gallon-sized Ziploc bags are available at Walmart, and can be purchased in packs of 20, 40, 60 or 80, perfect for getting rid of paper clutter.
3. Cleaning dirty shower heads
You might use Ziplocs to store cleaning supplies, but did you know you can use them to clean too?
'One surprising use is for cleaning faucets and showerheads,' says Duman Zhumagulov, CEO and a business owner of Box Star Movers. 'I fill a Ziploc bag with vinegar, secure it around the fixture with a rubber band, and let it sit overnight. The vinegar breaks down mineral deposits, making the fixtures shine like new. It's a simple yet effective cleaning hack that I swear by.'
Sealing the showerhead in the bag also prevents any dripping and mess, and allows for targeted cleaning. Just use a brush with water to scrub off any excess in the morning.
Learn about other ways to use vinegar around the home. If you don't like the smell, don't worry, it will go once it is wiped away and the surface or material dries. If you loathe the smell even fleetingly, you can use a scented one such as Amazon's Originally Yellow Lavender Cleaning Vinegar.
4. Removing crayon marks on walls
If you've discovered streaks of Crayon on your otherwise pristine walls, don't fret. The humble Ziploc bag will remove it.
'Fill a Ziploc with ice, apply it to the crayon marks on walls to harden the wax, and then scrape it off,' says James King, operations manager at DeluxeMaid. 'It also works with gum!'
We recommend using a dull knife, or a painter's scraper, such as Amazon's Choice Warner Stiff Scraper to get the job done– great for cleaning white walls.
5. For moving house
Moving house is stressful enough, but it's made even worse when small or compact essentials items become disorganized, or, worse, lost.
'We always bring a stack of various-sized Ziploc bags when packing a client for a move, because they are ideal for packing small, random items,' says Connors. 'The beauty of this use for Ziploc bags is you can drop everything in and roll it up and it's protected. Super easy, super simple solution for an issue everyone runs into when moving.'
It's definitely one to add to your moving house checklist.
6. Silverware polishing
Much like cleaning your showerhead and faucets, using Ziploc bags is an expert hack to polish silverware and get it shining like new.
'Place tarnished silverware with a baking soda solution and let it soak,' says King.
Leave it overnight for the best results, and then wash as usual before drying. We recommend the 365 by Whole Foods Market Baking Powder, available at Amazon, as it's aluminum free.
7. To store grill tools
As grill tools are mainly used for summer cookouts, they often sit for months in garagess or sheds, where the lack of climate control can make them prone to rust.
'Ziploc bags are perfect for storing supplies,' says Kappler. 'I put all my grill tools in a large bag to keep the garage organized in the off-season. The airtight seal also prevents odors from escaping into the garage.'
When summer comes around, they're easy to grab and go, meaning you won't need to replace your tools to go with your best gas grill each year.
8. Storing electronics cords
Usually tangled up and disorganized, knowing how to organize cables can be a nightmare.
'Rubber bands can work for these, but only if you roll up every cord individually,' says Connors. 'If you aren't even sure if the cord will be used, you can just throw them in a Ziploc and you'll never have to untangle the cord from anything else.'
FAQs
What should I do with old Ziploc bags?
If your Ziploc bag is old and dirty, you can simply turn it inside out and wash it with soapy water before leaving to dry. The zip closures on Ziploc bags are famously sturdy too, but just be careful when turning inside out so they don't ping off and they can be tricky to get back on.
The material is strong enough to be used more than once, so only discard when it is damaged, or if it is difficult to clean completely, such as when marinating raw chicken.
Can Ziploc bags be microwaved?
Ziploc bags can be used in the microwaved, but proceed with caution when heating any food with high sugar or fat content.
They're great for defrosting frozen stock and other foods, in the microwave, just ensure to leave the zipper open a bit to allow any steam and heat out.
Ziploc bags can also be used to store vacuum bags, recommends King: 'Keep extra vacuum cleaner bags to protect them from dust and dirt,' so are a great storage solution for dust allergy sufferers who use a vacuum cleaner with a dust bag.
