The Genius Reusable Grocery Bag Trick We Wish We Knew About Sooner

Reusable shopping bags are an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bags that are made from durable materials that can be used repeatedly and for many different things. They can typically hold more items than a plastic or even paper grocery bag, and several stores offer discounts if you bring your own bags (or charge you if you need to use one of their bags).

These are all solid reasons to use reusable grocery bags , but one downfall is figuring out how to properly store them so they don't clutter your space at home. Content creator @sisterpledgecleans has a solution for that, and we wish we'd seen this years ago! In an Instagram post, she shares an easy five-step process to neatly fold your bags. Once you see it, we know you'll be sold too.

Related: Wait, Should You Actually Wash and Reuse Ziploc Bags?

First, you lay the bag flat with the handles sticking out. Then, you fold one side toward the middle, using two folds to do it. Next, you fold the other side using the same method but overlapping the first fold. Fourth, you fold it three times, working from the bottom up. Finally, loop the handles of the bag over to secure the little bag bundle.

If you're more of a visual learner, don't worry! Her video is short and easy to follow along. "Once you’ve done a few, it becomes second nature," she says in the caption of her Instagram video.

If you have trouble remembering your bags, she has tips for that issue too. She says that you can store the bags in a freezer carrier bag and toss them in the car so they're not sitting in your house taking up space.

You can also hang the bags near the door you use when you leave the house. Just install a small hook that you use only for hanging these bags to keep everything organized but still in plain view. If you see them, you'll be more likely to grab them on your way out. You can also set a phone reminder or hang a note on your door.

And now that you have this cool bag-folding trick, you can stash more bags together so you'll always have enough.

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