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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 2 of 2)
Brenda Nov 20th 2010 11:03AM
I am also a photographer, just about everthing in my camera bag is protected by ZipLock bags. I also fill a few with sand or rocks to use as weights to keep lights or tripods from tipping over when on location shoots.
Tom Nov 20th 2010 11:04AM
Not a travel; but a home use:
Use them to strain the lumps out of gravy.
The last two boxes of the expensive, 1-gallon, heavy-duty, Ziploc freezer bags I bought leaked like a sieve along both sides of the heat-sealed edges.
And yes, they were the official Ziploc brand.
Jennifer Nov 20th 2010 11:09AM
Instead of buying shake and bake, or if you are going to coat meat before frying, take your ziploc bag and put your coating ( flour) inside it, place your meat in there and shake, after I'm done I place the package the meat came in the bag and zip it up and place it in the trash so no smell and,no bugs in the summer time
Sally Nov 20th 2010 11:10AM
Stick with the real Ziplock brand bags with the double seal.
The bags with the funky plastic zipper tabs are not water-tight.
Sam Nov 20th 2010 11:32AM
OK..., not a travel idea but...
If you've been fishing and have caught more than you can eat in 1 or 2 meals, place the filets in 1-gallon freezer Ziplocs, fill with water, express all the air, and lay the bags flat in the freezer.
The filets will last longer and will not get freezer burn like they will with the white freezer paper.
This will also work for beef or pork, but use a diluted salad dressing or some other marinade instead of plain water.
Deb Nov 20th 2010 11:30AM
There are wonderful ideas...thank you!! For those who don't have garbage disposals, you can use a gallon zip lock bag and place inside the refridgerator on the door. When full, you just toss into your favorite compost or in the trash, wash and then reuse the bag.
jaba Nov 20th 2010 11:47AM
Don't put too much faith for them to contain liquids. They DO leak!
Sekinu2 Nov 20th 2010 1:24PM
Wow not one person mention the top 2 uses for zip lock bags. You put your sandwhich in them for travel or your weed in there so it doesnt spill lol
sam Nov 20th 2010 1:53PM
Sometimes my saddle bags on my bike will leak when riding in rain but no harm when everything is in a baggie...
arlene li Nov 20th 2010 2:24PM
When traveling by car, train and especially plane, Ziplocs are parent- as well as fellow passenger-savers when an infant or as-yet un-toilet-trained toddler wets or soils the diaper! Sealed, the odors are locked in until the bag can be disposed in a refuse container. Whew!