Rhetorical question: when is the last time you cleaned your reusable grocery bags? Yeah, I think you see where this is going.
KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico recently conducted what they’re calling a “non-scientific study” in which they swabbed a collection of reusable shopping bags and sent the samples off for analysis.
The result? John Golobic, a representative from the local Quest Diagnostics in Albuquerque, told the television station that he was “…a little surprised to find that heavy of enterics.” Enterics are bacteria often occurring in the intestines or, as KOAT refers to them – “poop bacteria.” These enterics were reportedly found in almost every bag that the station tested.
"In general, we found that most of the bags were contaminated with bacteria you'd consider as fecal contaminants," Golobic said. "Something you could find in poultry, beef or just human feces or animal feces, but they are all in the bags."
Well, that’s not exactly a comforting thought. So, now that we know that we should be cleaning these things, what’s the best way to do it?
Good Housekeeping has the following suggestions:
- Canvas Bags: Toss them in a washing machine and launder in hot water with detergent. Run them through the dryer afterwards.
- Recycled Plastic Bags: Wash by hand in warm, soapy water and line dry.
- Insulated Shopping Bags: Wipe with a disinfecting wipe after each use.
- Nylon Bags: Flip them inside out and hand wash in warm, soapy water. If you would prefer to machine wash, use the most gentle cycle available and allow bags to air dry.
Regardless of the kinds of bags you use, Good Housekeeping says it’s important to let them dry completely after washing. Also, never store them in your car or trunk between uses, as the heat can cause bacteria to grow at an increased rate.
(PHOTO: Getty Images)