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Top five uses for Ziploc® bags when traveling
Over the years, I've become a bit of a bag lady. I'm always finding new and surprising uses for Ziploc® bags or their generic counterparts when I travel. I'm also a rabid recycler, so I like getting extra mileage out of my airport security "liquids and gels" see-through baggie.
But that's not the only reason I love these little guys. They're tough, they're resealable, and they're economical, because they usually survive multiple trips. Below, my favorite uses for this home kitchen staple:®
1. Holding a wet swimsuit.
When you're on a day or side trip, or don't have time to dry it before catching your flight.
2. Collect seashells.
Make sure it's legal, first.
3. Safeguard against spilled liquids.
I also place bags on top of shaving cream canisters (secure with a rubber band). Because it only takes one exploded can in your backpack to learn your lesson.
4. Seal off your shoes (or socks) for packing.
Hiking. hot weather. 'Nuff said.
5. Keep your passport/money/other paper valuables (including tissues/t.p.) dry.
If you're an adventure traveler, you may find yourself in situations where your daypack (or whatever you use to carry these items) gets soaked. I've had to hang my passport out to dry after a.) having to hitchhike in a major storm; b.) having to swim across a deeper-than-expected creek; c.) falling into the water while climbing out of a dinghy in rough surf.
*Bonus: "Have food poisoning/need to vomit while stuck in Marrakech rush hour traffic" emergency satchel.
Not that this happened to me.
Have your own travel uses for Ziploc® bags? Let us know!
Want to cut down on plastic altogether? ChicoBags come in their own little stuff sacks, and are the size of a deck of cards. I clip one inside of my day pack when I travel for groceries or other purchases.
[Photo credit: Flickr user hfabulous]
Filed under: Hiking, Learning, Africa, Morocco, Airlines, Camping, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Women's Travel, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fiznatty Nov 16th 2010 11:10AM
#1 for me: protecting electronics.
Frank Nov 20th 2010 12:46PM
Protecting your cell when around sand or water. I'm a photographer and have lost some small pieces of equipment to sand and water.
Malaycobra Nov 16th 2010 11:30AM
Don't forget the good 'ole TSA!
Strip naked, step into your 55 gallon zip-loc bag, seal, and you'll sail right through the security check!
Marsha Nov 16th 2010 1:31PM
I use them to keep all of my receipts together and dry in a safe place so I can keep track of spending and verify any charges once I get home.
I have never used them for ...
*Bonus: "Have food poisoning/need to vomit while stuck in Marrakech rush hour traffic" emergency satchel.
Not that this happened to me.
...but I could see how ziplocs could come in handy ;-)
TRAVELINGsmart Nov 16th 2010 1:30PM
There are so many uses for them!! You can put your underwear in them so if the TSA goes through your bag they're not touching your delicates or if you're tight on space, roll up the bag and place it in your shoes. Ziploc (or zipper type bags), can also be used like a vacuum bag for things you don't mind getting a little wrinkled. Put the item (scarf, gloves, socks, t-shirts, etc.) in the bag & zipper it almost closed. Then start rolling it up from the bottom to get the air out then finish zipping closed & unroll it to lay it flat in your suitcase. (They make really large ones that are great for dirty clothes.) They're a great space saver!
TheInfamousJ Nov 17th 2010 6:09PM
This may make me horrible, but I leave my used underwear outside of ziplocs. (A slightly passive aggressive move.) I've only once had my luggage hand searched. I was in the UK. They have gloves.
Dianne Marks Nov 21st 2010 10:12PM
Been a flight attendant for 35 years. Biggest use for baggies at the hotel is to put your remote inside a bag and use the remote with the bag around it!
G.M. Nov 20th 2010 11:56AM
Awesome hint. Thanks!
Irene Nov 20th 2010 2:12PM
That is the best suggestion!! I always think about how yucky that remote must be when I see my husband pick it up, even at the best hotels. I certainly will pack some for that pupose next trip.
LisaS Nov 20th 2010 6:10AM
I use ziplocks to store anything that might leak in my luggage ... hair products, creams, etc. I also use them to seperate and store stuff of like kind, like one for toothpaste, floss, covered toothbrush; make-up, etc. FREEZER BAGS ARE BEST!
Julia Nov 20th 2010 6:33AM
I store my cross stitch work in zip lock bags. I also store tea bags in them. It keeps them air tight. The big use though is in cooking. They make great piping bags. When you make deviled eggs put the egg mixture in a zip lock and cut one corner off the bag. Them squeeze the mixture out through the corner cut. No messy spoons and you can control the amount in each egg. It works for frosting too. I frost cookies this way too.
Dave Nov 20th 2010 6:48AM
I use Zip Lock bags in place of those EXPENSIVE dry storage bags for boaters- When boating, I keep my wallet, cigarrettes, lighter, cell phone, etc. in one.
Why pay $39.99 for a dry bag when for the same money, you can buy boxes of zip locks!
I agree with previous post, the freezer bags ARE toughest.
Dee Nov 20th 2010 7:21AM
When you are gardening, and want to make cuttings
they work wonderfully....and adding soil when ready makes it even better for passing along to family and friends....Works excellent for starting plants from seeds too...
When the butter gets small, I pop the piece in the
freezer in a baggie, and anytime you have to
grease that baking pan, just hold it from the outside and save greasy fingers...and pop it back in the freezer.
Dee Nov 20th 2010 7:26AM
Another use, when I am changing handbags, it's a breeze when you have your coins in one baggie and
your makeup etc, another, so they aren't sloshing on the bottom of the handbag.
Liz Nov 20th 2010 8:21AM
TheInfamousJ
Nov 17th 2010 6:09PM
This may make me horrible, but I leave my used underwear outside of ziplocs. (A slightly passive aggressive move.) I've only once had my luggage hand searched. I was in the UK. They have gloves.
True, they have on gloves. But think of how many pieces of luggage those SAME GLOVED hands go through. What's in the 20 bags before yours is also now in your bag as well as the next 20 bags behind yours. So they touch your used underwear, they touch the next person's used underwear, etc... But it's not just used items. They may touch your camera, your make-up, your bottled water you couldn't carry onto the plane - all with the same gloves they used to touch so man other's things. YUCK...
You're not horrible but just think about it.
It drives me crazy when I have to go into the court houses and the court officers have on their protection (gloves) that they use to search everyone's bag. And I mean they dig into the women's purses as if digging for gold. Meanwhile, you're going through the metal detector and your bag is behind you being dug into with those same unclean gloves they have been using all morning.
Or think about this. When you go to the post office to post your envelope or package, look at the blue glove they wear. Those gloves are used to keep their hands free from all kinds of germs coming through their window. But they use those same gloved hands to give you your stamps, or your change. Ideally, it would be great if they would change those gloves ever so often.
Imagine if your doctor used the same gloves s/he used on the patient before coming to you. You're not terrible but just think about those gloves.
kimberly Nov 20th 2010 8:57AM
When travelling by car, I always put a couple wet washcloths in a ziploc for dirty hands or faces after a stop or snack. The dirty ones go into a seperate bag to be rinsed at the next stop at a service station.
charles Nov 20th 2010 9:16AM
i use ziplock bags to put up christmas lights . i put the connections inside them to keep them dry as it snows
sheila Nov 20th 2010 9:34AM
if a gallon bag is not quiet big enough just turn one bag inside out and connect the 2 bags together thats what i do when storing a larger plate of cookies or brownies
Mrs. Zippiebag Nov 20th 2010 1:53PM
What a terrific idea to turn one inside out to connect with the other bag so you can put larger items inside.
Here's another idea....I use the bags as disposable cake decorating bags. Snip a hole in a bottom corner and add on your icing tips. It works great, and you'll save lots of money because you wont have to buy expensive icing bags anymore.
JD Nov 20th 2010 10:10AM
I use them when I pull a muscle in my back. Take a wash cloth, run water through it, ring out excess, fold it to the size you want, put it in the zip lock, microwave for :45, and there you have a HOT heating pad. I will wrap it in a towel, and it works great to warm sore, pulled muscles.