Yes, there are wrongand rightways to get it done.
I have strategies, people, because the stakes are high!
If the bagger is lazy about it, theyrewasting your moneyand your time.
Photo:Max Kegfire/Getty Images
In an effort to help you (and me!)
Here are five rules you should follow when you’re bagging groceries.
To be nicer to the planet, opt for reusable ones.
But you shouldnt just grabanykind.
Cotton Bags
For most items, he recommends bags that are washableand bleachable.
They should be white or light-colored so you could see stains and mold.
Cotton, on the other hand, can go right into the wash where the germs get rinsed away.
Ilooovehot water for killing bugs, says Tetro.
He suggests that with some bleach, following the recommended amount on the packaging, to sanitize bags.
Cooler Bags
But what about those non-machine-washableand usually not cottoncooler bags?
If youre using an insulated bag, the inside is easy to access and has some resilienceit fights back.
Perfect for a disinfectant wipe, Tetro says.
So in this case, a rigid-ish, plastic material is acceptable.
Nylon Bags
Organization expert Lisa Ruff ofNeat Methodhas her own bag policy that works for her.
She says, Ive used nylon Baggu bags for over 15 years.
I bought a whole set after law school in 2008, and I still have them.
I love them because theyre small and take up zero space, and I can wash them.
They dont have structure, and I can see the pitfalls of that.
But for me, being able to clean them is more important.
And they last and still look really good.
When I balked at the extra plastic, she was unfazed.
Unfortunately, food safety and sustainability dont always go hand-in-hand.
She continues, The extra bag serves as another way to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Plus, many grocery stores now carry plastic bags intended for raw meat and poultry that are recyclable.
Ireland also recommends clumping things on the conveyor belt that youd like to be bagged together.
All the cereal can go in first.
Next is your fruit and veg.
Then the cans and such.
Then last goes the meat.
You should have one bag designated for meat only.
He has a few more tips that he admits are Sheldon Cooper-ish.
Dont mix onions with other veg or theyll smell onion-y.
And ensure your fruit isnt pierced, bruised, or moldy before you pack it.
There are bacteria known to get into fruit and cause spoilage and, potentially, illness, he says.
Packaged goods andnon-perishablescan hang togetherand can hang out the longest while you put the refrigerated stuff away.
Arnolds own rules for the road generally follow this logic.
She bags all fresh fruit together and all (non-meat) frozen items together.
Our baggers talk about how its like building a house.
Heavy stuff goes on the bottom, and you reinforce your walls with the boxes.
If you havecanned items, thats the foundation.
(And yes, Im a little jealous.)
You shouldnt stack anything besides boxes, whose edges should meet, for strength.
Cans cant touch each other.
Glasses cant touch each other.
Crushables go on top.
And the bags should be only as heavy as the handlesand youcan manage.
Ill intentionally grab the boxes and make a wall inside the first one to protect stuff thats more fragile.
Ill use the second bag exclusively for produce, because people are very particular about that.
Yes, we are.
Even our pros admit they have certain peculiarities that they cant scientifically explain.Whatever your quirks, own them.
And when in doubt, ask for help!
There are baggers at the ready, and they aim to hey, says Strange.
Its totally OK to give baggers context.
Most baggers appreciate some of that interaction.
Just be nice to them, says Tetro.
Thats why I do my own bagging, because I get so Sheldon-y when someone else bags my groceries.
Its like, You put grapes in with the chicken!?
What is wrong with you?
Do you hate me?
Why are you trying to poison me!?
And the bagger says, Sir, its my second day.
Because thats all any of us wants at the end of the daya full cart, and no bruises.
