Cloth grocery bags - which ones are the best? How many do you have?

**jeepgirl** · 05-07-2008, 07:32 AM

DH and I want to switch over to cloth grocery bags. Which ones do you think are the best? How many seem to be enough for a weeks worth of groceries?

**AmandaLeigh** · 05-07-2008, 07:59 AM

I just bought the ones they were selling at my local grocery store since they were only $0.99, and because the store gave a $0.05 per bag each time you used them. I bought 4 bags, and typically use about 2-3 on a weekly shopping trip for DH and myself. They really can hold much more than the flimsy plastic bags. Even though they were very cheap, they seem to be holding up well. I've been using them for almost 2 years.

**jeepgirl** · 05-07-2008, 08:00 AM

Amanda - which grocery store do you go to?

**Sevilla** · 05-07-2008, 08:04 AM

I love the .99 ones from Meijer and other grocery stores. The Meijer ones have a hard (removable) bottom and a few pockets which is great, but are light and fold down super small. I have 6 or 7 reusable bags - I usually only use ~4 (but sometimes more if it's been awhile).

I got one of Walmart's reusable bags (black and basic) for .99 to use when I go places like Target or the mall - I've been using reusable bags on all my purchases lately and been really happy with how it's worked out.

**SweetRed** · 05-07-2008, 08:10 AM

I bought the $1.99 ones at my grocery store instead of the $0.99 ones because they are insulated and they zip shut at the top. I can fit a ton in each bag, and they won't spill over in my trunk with the zip top.

I only have two, which is enough for our weekly trip to the grocery store plus a bi-weekly run to Trader Joe's.

**Adaya** · 05-07-2008, 08:13 AM

I have a few from each store where I shop like Trader Joe's, Publix and I just got one from Target the other day. I don't have a favorite as they all work pretty well, but the Trader Joe's back is pretty tall and deep.

For a week's worth of groceries for 2 ppl, I use about 3 or 4. Those bags really hold a lot of stuff and they are easy to carry. I like them better than the plastic bags. Every now and then I'll get the plastic bags b/c I use them to line the trash cans in my bathrooms and I take them on trips to hold dirty clothes.

FYI, if you go live near a Kroger and have a shopper's card, go to their website and design a reusable back and you'll get a free one.

**Cocotte** · 05-07-2008, 08:15 AM

I haven't seen any to buy in the grocery stores I shop at, but I haven't really looked for them either. I was planning on just making some, but if they're only 99cents I may just buy some (if I see any).

**ellidew** · 05-07-2008, 08:17 AM

I bought the $1 ones from target that fold up and zip into a wallet sized shape. I probably use 3-4 per week for groceries.

**yby1** · 05-07-2008, 08:22 AM

I bought some bags from Whole Foods well over a year ago. They are $1.99 each and made by GreenBag and I use them for everything. They hold up really well.

I also have two from Trader Joe's - 1 made out of recycled plastic and 1 insulated bag. They are great bags as well, but I like the green bag ones better.

I also have a couple of Chicobags that I leave in my purse and car for spur of the moment trips. I don't like this as much as the other bags for large grocery trips because they are harder to fill. It's good if you only have a couple of items though.

All in all, I think that 4 grocery bags would work for a weeks worth of grocery shopping. We always take a couple of extra in case we need to buy larger items like toilet paper, laundry detergent... things like that.

I believe we are in possession of 10 bags all together.

**gardenmommy** · 05-07-2008, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Sevilla

I love the .99 ones from Meijer and other grocery stores. The Meijer ones have a hard (removable) bottom and a few pockets which is great, but are light and fold down super small.

Mine are like those as well and I use usually no more than 3 a week for a family of 4 (2 kidlets)