Features of storing plastic bags
This household item pollutes the planet. One plastic bag decomposes for centuries, while poisoning the environment with toxic substances. Therefore, storing them is not only a matter of economy, but also of a healthy attitude towards the planet.
There are several types of products - packaging, with handles, gift, with ties. To store each type, you need to make different devices. This makes it easier to find what you need; you don’t have to look in your bag for a product of the right size.
During sorting, old and torn copies should be discarded. Wash and dry dirty ones. Arrange the bags into different piles according to density and functionality.
Do not keep them near the battery or heating device. The melting point of polyethylene products is 130 °C; for batteries it is lower. But the bag may stick to it or the heating device when it gets hotter. When heated, monomeric phthalates (salts and esters of phthalic acid) are released.
They do not need a certain humidity. The main thing is to keep the storage area clean and wash them after use so that the inside or outside is not dirty or sticky.
What are the different packages?
The question is not difficult; many will list the types of packages they encounter. But both the storage method and functionality depend on the type, so it’s worth repeating:
- packaging - usually fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches are wrapped in them. They are presented both free of charge in stores and sold in packages. Most often, they are purchased independently for household needs, so they do not require special storage. Transparent, without handles;
- polyethylene with handles - those copies that are either given out free of charge or sold at the checkout. They are quite durable, so they are worth keeping so that you can continue to go to the store with them or take out the trash;
- the rest are paper, plastic and others, which are issued when purchasing shoes, clothing, and equipment. They are often large in size and have fairly dense material, so they are used when transporting things and moving. This also includes gift copies that can be given to other people. The main thing is not to get confused about who the gift was received from.
For storage, different types are separated for convenience: small ones separately, large ones separately. The same applies to the material, since plastic specimens are much thicker than polyethylene ones. And paper ones cannot be rolled up at all. During sorting, it is worth getting rid of old, torn or dirty items.
How to fold a storage bag
To ensure that they take up minimal space, you need to fold them before placing them in the closet. It is more convenient to place the bag in an organizer or a small box in a compact form. The advantage is that they can fit a larger quantity and will not take up much space allocated for storing them in the kitchen.
Folding bags into triangles
This method is suitable for folding T-shirt bags. The size of the product does not matter.
We recommend reading: How to fold a jacket: in a suitcase and backpack, how to pack it for the road
Algorithm of actions:
- Place on a flat surface and level it out. Straighten the handles, align the corners.
- Fold lengthwise twice. Turn the bottom part towards you, bend the corner into a triangle shape.
- Alternately fold the corner from right to left and from left to right. At the same time expel the air.
- Continue folding until the strip runs out. Straighten the handles and tuck them inside the folded triangle.
The result is a tight, small triangle that does not unfold on its own.
Takes up little space in the kitchen, convenient to store anywhere. The process of folding 1 bag takes no more than 1 minute
How to fold a bag into a tube
Any product can be folded in this way. Convenient for rolling up T-shirts. To fold a polyethylene product into a tube, you need to perform the following steps:
- Level, expel air.
- Fold in half lengthwise twice.
- Screw on 2 fingers. You will get a tube. Wrap the handles around it, fixing the shape.
This method greatly reduces the volume of the product, which means you can choose a smaller storage space. The ideal option is a shoe box; a metal container for coffee or tea will also work.
Advice! Large bags, rolled into a tube, are placed vertically in even rows in a box of the appropriate size.
How to fold a bag into a square
Dense products can be folded in the shape of a square or rectangle. Procedure:
- Place on the floor or table. Get the air out.
- Fold horizontally, then vertically. You will get a square or small rectangle.
When folded this way, they take up a lot of storage space in the kitchen, but can collapse if removed carelessly.
How to fold an envelope
It is convenient to store bulky and hard bags in this form. Algorithm of actions:
- Fold in thirds along the length, along the width of the opening of the handles.
- Fold in half. The bottom is level with the top.
- Fold it a second time, the bottom part should cover the opening of the handles.
- Turn the other side towards you, insert the handles inside the rectangular envelope.
The method is simple and takes little time. It is more convenient to store large items if you fold them this way.
The process won't take long
How to fold packages “one inside the other”
This folding method is suitable for storing plastic bags in a container or tissue box. Procedure:
- Level it on the table.
- Fold lengthwise.
- Screw from the bottom to the handle.
- Place the second one, folded in half lengthwise, and continue rolling.
This way, you can add packages until you get the desired size package. Place in a storage container with the handles pulled out.
Advice! Choose bags of the same size. Do not roll items that differ greatly in width if the storage box is small.
Can be twisted to a convenient size
Where to place bags in the kitchen
There is always a problem with free space in the kitchen; there is not enough of it. A beautifully decorated organizer can be hung or placed in a visible place. It is better to place a purely functional device inside a kitchen cabinet or drawer.
In a plastic bottle
It's easy to turn a 1.5 liter plastic bottle into storage for bags. To make a simple model, you only need a sharp knife; to bring more complex ideas to life, you need to have a marker on hand.
The simplest option:
- Cut off the bottom of the bottle.
- Double-sided tape is applied along the long side.
- Glue to the door (wall) of the cabinet.
This device is convenient for storing bags with handles. They are connected to each other before laying. The ears of the first one are pulled out of the neck. They make it easy to remove the package from storage.
Be sure to read:
DIY storage box for children's toys made from scrap materials
Small bags can be placed in large bottles. They usually buy drinking water there. You need to cut neat round holes in the walls, trim the bottom, and cut out an eyelet for fastening.
Storage in a cardboard box
Sturdy cardboard shoe boxes are ideal storage. You can put it on a windowsill or in a kitchen table drawer. Cut an oblong hole in the lid. The box does not need to be closed if the packages are folded into triangles.
External and internal walls can be decorated:
- multi-colored scraps of fabric,
- napkins,
- colored paper.
Fabric bag for bags on hangers
Cotton fabric will do. It is easy to wash. The bag is sewn from two parts. The lower part has the shape of a rectangle. The second part is sewn together from 2 triangles. It follows the shape of the shoulders.
A shaped hole is made in one of the long sides. It is treated with bias tape. Both parts are sewn together and hangers are inserted.
This elegant storage can be hung in a visible place, on the door. It's not only functional. Beautiful fabric will fit into the kitchen design.
Dolls with a skirt
A doll is suitable for storage in an ethnic style kitchen. You can sew the head, arms, and torso from fabric, and make the hair from embroidery threads. To fold the bags, cut out a fluffy skirt.
Needlewomen who know how to knit can crochet all the details. To knit a doll, you can use leftover cotton and wool yarn. Decorate the craft with additional accessories in the form of a hat, a basket of fruit, a bouquet of knitted or fabric flowers and hang it on the wall.
Tin can container
It’s always a pity to throw away elegant tin cans for cookies, sweets, tea leaves. Yes, this is not necessary. This is a finished product from which you can make a functional device for storing food bags.
To make it convenient to get them out, you need to cut a hole of any shape in the lid:
- X-shaped,
- round,
- rectangular.
Be sure to read:
7 ways to sterilize bottles, pacifiers and pacifiers at home
Tissue packaging
Packages of wet and dry wipes don’t even need to be remade. There is already a hole in them. Before placing them in the storage bin, the bags must be loosely tied together with corners. Release the outer corner into the hole. When you pull one bag out, the edge of the next one will stick out.
Using several tissue packages, you can organize storage space for bags of different sizes and purposes. One is used to store food bags, the second is for garbage bags, and the third is for shopping.
Useful tips
Any organizer can be turned into a kitchen decoration.
Important! Many housewives buy bags every day and throw them away when they get home. You can give them a second chance by folding them compactly and dedicating a small corner for storing them in the kitchen.
Useful tips:
- Always carry the package with you in the inner compartment of your handbag. Compactly folded, it does not take up much space.
- Large bags can be used instead of garbage bags if storage space in the kitchen or hallway is no longer available.
- Do not throw away containers containing liquid powders and conditioners. They are also suitable for storing packages.
Dispenser
We will need a plastic bottle. We cut off the bottom of the bottle and, using a hot awl, make a hole for the hook-holder of the structure or two holes for the rope, depending on where and in what way you want to place the container. We insert the finished roll of bags, inserting the handles into the neck.
Another option is to use a small oblong cardboard box. Cut a hole in the top front part. Make sure the hole size matches the width of the pouch roll. To give the container an aesthetic appearance, wrap the box with fabric or wrapping paper. It is necessary to leave an “allowance” of the wrapper near the opening of the box in order to cover the edge, folding the fabric inward. Secure the parts using a glue gun. Moderate decor will look good, for example, ribbon, a piece of burlap or contrasting scrapbooking paper.
How to decorate the kitchen with your own hands. Kitchen wreath made from tea bags.
- 2 cardboard circles, 30 cm in diameter
- paper with a pattern that suits your kitchen - optional
- clothespins (preferably multi-colored)
1. Prepare two cardboard circles and cut out the middle of each with a stationery knife so that it looks like in the picture.
2. Glue 2 cardboard circles together to make one tight circle to which you can safely attach clothespins.
3. If you wish, you can cover the circle with patterned paper as shown in the picture. If you have your own way to decorate a circle, feel free to use it.
Where is the best place to store packages at home?
When choosing a location for polyethylene, you need to follow several rules:
- Stealth. Bags should not attract attention, so they should be placed away from prying eyes. Often we are talking about lockable cabinets or niches.
- Convenience. If necessary, the package should be convenient to remove with one movement of the hand. The storage must remain in perfect order.
- Compactness. In the selected format, packages should take up minimal space.
Try organizing a place to store polyethylene, and you will notice how much more comfortable your kitchen will become.
Sorting will also help in optimizing space - packages should be sorted by size, type (paper, plastic), purpose.
