Switching to reusable food bags is one of the easiest, most satisfying upgrades you can make to your kitchen routine. Not only do they keep your salads crisper, your washed fruit fresher, and your freezer stacked neatly, but they also cut down on single-use plastic clutter.
However, to get the absolute most out of your Prepa Reusable Food Bags, a little bit of care goes a long way!
Whether you’re storing fresh veggies or marinating chicken, here is our ultimate step-by-step guide on how to properly clean, dry, and look after your bags so they stay in tip-top condition for years to come.
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Daily Hand Washing (The Best Method For everyday use, hand washing is the best way to keep your bags clean while preserving their seals
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Warm, Soapy Water: Wash your bags by hand using warm tap water and standard dish soap.
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Use a Soft Sponge: Stick to a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of the bag.
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Avoid Boiling Water: Warm water is ideal, but avoid pouring boiling water directly onto or into the bags to keep the seals in perfect shape.
2. Cleaning Bags Used for Raw Meat or Chicken
Marinating meats in your reusable bags is a total game-changer for batch prepping—no lingering odours, no leaks, and perfect flavour infusion! When you’ve used a bag for raw chicken or meat, just follow these simple hygiene steps:
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Wash Immediately: Don’t let the bag sit overnight in the sink. Wash it thoroughly right after removing the meat.
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Use Hot, Soapy Water: Wash carefully using hot water and antibacterial dish soap, ensuring you get right into the corners.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Make sure all soap suds and residue are completely rinsed away before drying.
3. Can You Put Prepa Bags in the Dishwasher?
Yes, you can! However, there is one important rule:
- Keep the temperature below 60°C. High heat settings (or heavy-duty sanitise cycles) can warp the silicone seal over time. Place them securely on the top rack of your dishwasher on a gentle, low-temp eco cycle.
4. Drying Your Bags Hands-Free
Making sure your bags dry completely before storing them away is key to keeping them fresh and moisture-free.
- The Bag Holder Trick: The easiest, quickest way to air-dry your bags is by using our Prepa Food Bag Holders. Simply pop the bag upside down over the arms to hold it wide open for effortless airflow.
- The Mug Method: Don't have a bag holder yet? You can easily balance your bag upside down over a clean mug or glass on your drying rack.
⚠️ Important "Do Nots" – How to Avoid Damaging Your Bags
To ensure your Prepa bags last through hundreds of meal preps, keep these three golden rules in mind:
❌ Do NOT add piping hot liquids directly to bag: Allow your batch cook to cool slightly before adding to the bag.
❌ Do NOT turn the bag inside out: Reversing the bag places heavy strain on the side seams and can cause tears or weaken the seal over time.
❌ Do NOT fold or hard-crease the seal: Avoid bending the sealing strip tightly, as this can break the airtight track.
Ready to Upgrade Your Storage Setup?
Taking care of your reusable bags is quick, simple, and ensures your prep stays as fresh as possible.
If you're looking to stock up on extra bags or make filling and drying them completely mess-free, check out the collection below:
