# Uses for hoarded plastic supermarket bags **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 10, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784 "2010-08-10T02:54:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/41 "2010-08-11T09:46:55Z")
I use them to store Christmas tree ornaments. Put one ornament in the bag, then wind the bag around it, then put as many as will fit into a box. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/42 "2010-08-11T10:13:01Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > We used to go through several a day for dirty diapers. Now I use them to take my lunch to work. Do your sandwiches taste like shit? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/43 "2010-08-11T10:56:20Z")
> [@winterhawk11](#): > > I use them for cleaning my cat boxes. If they ever make them illegal around here (which they’re talking about trying to do), I’m going to have to stock up before they do. You should attend your next town meeting and ask “And what exactly am I meant to do with my cat shit, folks? Won’t someone think of the kittehs?!?!” 😉 I use them to clean the cat box, to wrap my shoes in when I stuff them in my bag, to contain dirty clothes in my suitcase when I travel, and to amuse visiting infants\*. Them thar bags are gold to me. \*That was a joke, people. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/44 "2010-08-11T11:10:41Z")
> [@Silver Tyger Girl](#): > > Packing material once you’ve run out of newspaper. I used this method when packing for our last move, and it was more effective than newspaper when done just the right way. ---
**Author:** ![Kilmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@Kilmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilmore)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/45 "2010-08-11T11:17:13Z")
Lay it open on the floor the best you are able, open end pointed towards the cat. Rustle the other end. Remove hand quickly. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/46 "2010-08-11T12:05:59Z")
I use them when I cook. I just throw the peels, eggshells, packaging and whatever other trash I generate in one, knot it up, and throw it out. I don’t have to deal with stinky food trash rotting in the can. I also keep a stash in the glove box (although I have to re-stock) for car trash. When I stop for gas, I just take the bag off the gear shift, knot it up, and throw it out. No stinky car trash in a hot car! ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/47 "2010-08-11T14:07:34Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > > [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > > > How many dogs do you have? :eek: > > Just a pair of schitzus. Why? I’ve heard shitzus take a lot of cleaning up after 😃 ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/48 "2010-08-11T14:21:51Z")
The thrift stores around here will take plastic bags, since they don’t have any of their own to bag up peoples’ purchases. I wonder if they would take wire hangers, too? I should ask. I’ve used them as food wrap, in a pinch, if I’m out of saran wrap or containers - put leftover pizza, corn on the cob, heads of broccoli - on a plate. Take a clean-inside plastic bag, insert the plate, twist around the ends underneath, and put in the refrigerator. The plastic puffs up and really doesn’t touch the food unless you pull it tight. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/49 "2010-08-11T14:25:30Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > I’ve seen mats made from them. They were cut into strips and crocheted. I have a pdf somewhere with a free knitting instruction for a bag made from plastic yarn (or other, but this was the intention). ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/50 "2010-08-11T14:29:14Z")
> [@Rahne\_McCloud](#): > > They can be used in faux finishes in painting walls or furniture. My son found a website that shows how to make “fabric” by ironing the bags in layers to produce a leather like look. He tried it and the results were pretty cool looking. Linky, please? That sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/51 "2010-08-11T14:58:13Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > > [@Rahne\_McCloud](#): > > > > They can be used in faux finishes in painting walls or furniture. My son found a website that shows how to make “fabric” by ironing the bags in layers to produce a leather like look. He tried it and the results were pretty cool looking. > > Linky, please? That sounds interesting. Here’s one [Etsy Labs Archive: Long Overdue Fusing Plastic Bag Tutorial](http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html). You can find more by googling “fusing plastic bags”. The methods are all pretty much the same. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/52 "2010-08-11T15:02:09Z")
We use them for picking up dog crap, wrapping up dirty diapers, and wrapping up gross refrigerator items so they won’t stink up the apartment. Also as garbage liner for bathroom. Oh, and we bring our groceries home in them! ---
**Author:** ![RalfCoder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@RalfCoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RalfCoder)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/53 "2010-08-11T15:07:38Z")
> [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](#): > > I’ve seen mats made from them. They were cut into strips and crocheted. **BNB** , you’ve triggered a memory from when I was a kid. My grandmother used to do this with plastic bread bags. We saved them for her, and I remember helping her by cutting them into strips. We’d start at the open end, and spiral around the bag to end up with a strip of plastic an inch or so wide, and about 10 feet long, give or take. She would then crochet them into oval mats. The colors of the mat depended on what kind of bread had been on sale for the week or 3 prior. Thanks for bringing this back from some long-dormant brain cells!!! ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/54 "2010-08-11T15:10:00Z")
Make a giant octopus and exhibit it at a small museum. Oh wait, [it’s been done!](http://www.flickr.com/photos/brattmuseum/4774648051/in/set-72157624327102039/) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/55 "2010-08-11T21:54:13Z")
Keep some on your bicycle, for shopping, & to cover the seat if it rains. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/56 "2010-08-11T22:18:46Z")
I did some experimental knitting with plastic bags (I used bread bags, but the principle is the same) - you have to watch out that you don’t include degradable ones, as these will crumble and fall apart after a short while. My best results were from knitting the plastic bag yarn into rope using a French knitter, then coiling the rope to make a very tough bag. Took forever to make though. [http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/plastic\_bag\_recycling/](http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/plastic_bag_recycling/) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/57 "2010-08-12T00:34:22Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I use them as garbage bags (for my bathroom garbage can, which is quite small). Or if I just want to throw something out quickly without throwing it in the general garbage can..which is also quite small. > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Dog crap bags. Make sure they don’t have holes first. > [@Darth\_Nader](#): > > Okay, after **Shagnasty** ’s list, may I add a bit to my previous post? > > For dirty diapers, you bozos! This, this and this. We reuse them as much as possible. We don’t have diapers anymore, but another use for them is for any moldy/juicy/rotten food products that stink. Double-bagging them makes our big cans in the garage smell much nicer between emptyings. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/58 "2010-08-13T12:00:23Z")
> [@Wile\_E](#): > > > [@constanze](#): > > > > Linky, please? That sounds interesting. > > Here’s one [Etsy Labs Archive: Long Overdue Fusing Plastic Bag Tutorial](http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html). You can find more by googling “fusing plastic bags”. The methods are all pretty much the same. Thanks! I only have to find enough of this thin kind of plastic bag… Because our supermarkets charge for plastic bags, and I use cloth bags when shopping, I don’t have a lot of those. When clothing shopping, the bags are free, but they are big and sturdy and I re-use them a lot. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/59 "2010-08-13T12:01:58Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I did some experimental knitting with plastic bags (I used bread bags, but the principle is the same) - you have to watch out that you don’t include degradable ones, as these will crumble and fall apart after a short while. > > My best results were from knitting the plastic bag yarn into rope using a French knitter, then coiling the rope to make a very tough bag. Took forever to make though. > > [http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/plastic\_bag\_recycling/](http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/plastic_bag_recycling/) Thanks, that’s interesting too. The idea of cutting the bag in loops and using the loop knot is a new one. And yes, while french knitting Liesl is very sturdy, it just takes forever! I probably would just use the yarn for normal knitting… ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784/60 "2010-08-13T19:11:17Z")
> [@winterhawk11](#): > > I use them for cleaning my cat boxes. If they ever make them illegal around here (which they’re talking about trying to do), I’m going to have to stock up before they do. That’s what mine are used for. Also those plastic bags they put newspapers into if it’s rainy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uses-for-hoarded-plastic-supermarket-bags/549784.md?page=2)