Last Updated on January 27, 2025
My husband affectionately refers to me as a bag lady. It’s true. I have an obsession with bags.
It doesn’t matter that I have dozens of canvas totes, I’ll still accept the free one at the family expo because:
- I forgot to bring one of the bags I already own
- I’m sure I’ll use it again.
Also, as an aspiring Wondermom, I like to do my part to save Earth. Consequently, I have reusable bags for all the stores I frequent.
Tricks To Help You Remember Your Reusable Shopping Bags
As many of you might know, the trick with reusable bags is that you need to remember to bring them with you in order to reuse them. After forgetting mine more times than I can count, I finally figured out a few tricks to help me use all those reusable bags I keep accumulating.
1. Always Keep a Handy Purse Pouch
- Carry a small foldable bag in your purse for unexpected trips.
- Store the pouch in the same pocket as your wallet to ensure you grab it when checking out.
- If you don’t already have one, check out these highly rated shopping bag pouches or these shopping bag pouches that have a handy clip to attach to your purse.
2. Use Larger Bags for Bigger Shopping Trips
- Replace several smaller bags with durable, larger bags like these heavy duty shopping bags from Amazon.
- These bags can be nested into your shopping cart like file folders in a drawer, making them convenient and practical. The set comes with an insulated bag for cold items and another bag with compartments for eggs and bottles.
3. Return Bags to Your Car Immediately After Shopping
- Once you unload your groceries, put your reusable bags back in your car.
- If that’s too much of a hassle, place them near the door so you can grab them the next time you leave.
4. Add a Reminder to Your Grocery List
- Write “REMEMBER BAGS” at the top of your grocery list in bold letters or bright colors.
- Place the bags in a spot you won’t forget, such as on top of your purse.
5. Digital Reminders
- Smartphone Alerts: Set a recurring reminder on your phone to prompt you to grab your reusable bags before leaving for the store.
- Car Assistant Reminders: If your vehicle has a digital assistant, program it to remind you to take your bags when you arrive at shopping locations.
Other Uses for Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable bags aren’t just for groceries! Here are a few other ways we use ours:
- Library trips – Perfect for carrying books.
- Sleepover bags – Great for packing pajamas and essentials.
- Sunday school book bags – Keep supplies organized.
- Event totes – Use them for keeping kids entertained during all-day sporting events or long car rides.
Bonus Tip: Use Extras for Donations
- Store extra bags for donations.
- Hang them on your kids’ closet doors so they can easily toss in clothes they’ve outgrown.
- This prevents clothes from ending up on the floor, in the laundry hamper, or—my kids’ favorite—stuffed under the bed.
How To Wash Your Reusable Bags
Don’t forget to wash your reusable bags, especially the ones used for groceries. Here’s how to clean them properly.
Share Your Tips!
Do you have creative ways to use reusable bags or tips to remember them? Share your ideas in the comments! I’m always looking for reasons to keep my collection of bags. 😊
These are such good ideas. I have to admit I have not made the switch over to reusable bags yet, but perhaps I should think about it.
Good tips for remembering the reusable bags. I have also forgotten them on several occasions!
My new obstacle is remembering to hand the cashier my bag before they start bagging. Twice in the last week, I had my reusable bag hanging on my arm as the cashier started to load my purchases into the plastic store bag!
We have been using reusable bags for a few years now. The grocery stores around here often will take some money off your bill if you bring your own bags.
Ours do as well, as does Target. It’s a nice added perk!
Thanks for these tips. I am a lot better about using these bags now. I keep a bunch in my trunk for supermarket runs. I also have separate bag that I keep for places like CVS…when I am just getting a couple of things. I’m kind of obsessed with these bags!
I love this article! We only use reusable bags, in fact I have the one in your picture! I got it in Australia (notice the land care australia logo?). Are you Aussie too? Your blog is great – we seem to have similar styles. You might like my most recent post: http://www.thespruiker.com/walk-more/
Laura, I’m sorry to say I am not Australian. Just a coincidence with the pic. I have a plug-in that I use to find and cite pics so it was the first reusable bag I found there. Just checked out your site. Love it!
I want to build a whole house out of these reusable bags. My favorite is when I have a bag just full of bags. It makes me all tingly thinking about it!
Danielle, I have two bags full of bags in my trunk! One for grocery bags, another with other shopping bags. Too funny.