Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
Although they may not look it, the LunchSkins bags are sturdy, temperature controlled, and easy to clean. The fun design is also a plus! Read More
The Rezip bags are made from a sturdy material, great for multiple purposes. They might be a bit too large to safely store a sandwich, though. Read More
The sturdy silicone material of these bags makes them great for multiple uses, but it tends to squish foods and make them harder to remove. Read More
These bags took time to figure out how to open, and when we were able, the inside was sticky and had a weird smell. Read More
Great for storing a variety of snacks, these reusable sandwich bags are made of lightweight polyester with embedded TPU for waterproofing Read More
Since the proliferation of using reusable straws and grocery bags, many Americans are becoming more aware of the waste left behind by single-use plastic items. For example, those plastic sandwich baggies that go straight into the garbage after lunch. To save the environment (and your conscience), try eco-friendly reusable sandwich bags—like our favorite the Lunchskins Reusable 2-Pack Bag Set (available at Amazon) .
These baggies are typically dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean and reuse for your favorite sandwiches when bringing that classic brown bagged lunch to work or school. There are a few brands out there creating reusable food storage bags which range from fun patterns to that classic plastic bag look. These products are great for holding snacks or various supplies when you're on the go.
The Lunchskins Reusable 2-Pack Bag Set were the best reusable bags we tested.
The rezip Lay-Flat Reusable Storage Bag was our pick for the best multipurpose food bag.
Sturdy
Versatile
Oven safe
Not great for bigger sandwiches
When shopping for the right set of bags, one of the first things you'll want to look for is whether the material is food-safe. Most options are made from plastic or silicone, which might be concerning at first, given the proven health risks of certain plastics.
But not all plastics are created equal: All of the bags we tested are made with food-grade materials, which means they're free of harmful chemicals like BPA, PVC, and phthalate. Just check the bag's label or website description to be sure the materials you choose are safe to use and reuse.
You might be turned off from the idea of reusable snack bags because of the hassle. "Another thing to wash at the end of the day?" But trust us: The minimization of waste (and the money saved from nixing disposable bags) is worth the extra effort. Plus, all of the bags we tested are machine-washable, which means you can toss them in the dishwasher with the rest of your load at the end of the day.
Sometimes, though, you might need a little extra elbow grease to get rid of lingering stains from things like sauce, fruit, and veggies. In that case, we recommend using hot water and regular dish detergent (or a homemade blend of baking soda and vinegar) with a kitchen sponge or brush. If the bag seals, you can swish the water and cleaning solution around while it's closed to break up any tacked-on foods, then scrub the rest by hand.
And if you're dealing with mold in the corners of your bag, let it sit in white vinegar or boiling water before running it through the dishwasher again.
Drying a reusable sandwich bag properly is the second most important way to maintain it (behind washing it well, of course), in order to avoid any mold growth. And this part can be tricky; your bag probably won't just air dry in the dishwasher like your plates do.
Once your bags are clean, you'll want to keep them open, facing down on a drying rack for a while to make sure all the lingering drops fall out. You can also place some paper towels or absorbent dish towels inside to speed up the drying process.
Courtney is an editor and shopper with a passion for finding the best things on the internet. She's a foodie and will talk about the latest batch of kombucha she's brewing to anyone who will listen. She has previously worked for Country Living, Woman's Day, and Our State Magazine.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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