20 Seriously Surprising Uses for Ziploc Bags

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It ’s been virtually 60 years since the invention of the Ziploc credit card store base , and our freezers , fridge , and even larder are neater and more organize , thanks to the now - ubiquitous kitchen workhorse . While hydrofoil is hunky-dory and Saran Wrap has superpowers of its own , in our view Ziploc bags outshine other ready to hand kitchen storage helpers , largely due to the sheer potpourri of useful program .

You might think you ’ve apply Ziplocs every which room potential , but we bet we ’ve discovered a few ways to use them that you have n’t yet tried .

Hands holding clear plastic bag.

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Office Organizer

divagate galosh bands , paper clips , postage legal tender , pens , and pencils can make any desk drawer seem like a struggle zone of war fuddle . Assign each item its own suitably sized Ziploc udder , and presto : no more desk stack . If you ’re really press for space , employ sturdy tack to supplement each bag to a corkboard , so all youroffice suppliesare at your fingertip without waste valuable drawer distance . This nail - Ziplocs - to - a - plank magic trick also put to work for small screws , nails , nuts , or bolt that are easily misplaced in the workshop .

2. Paint Brush Saver

It is frustrating to be in the heart of a painting labor when something come in up that pulls you forth . Do n’t worry about washing your paint - covered roller or brush before rushing out the doorway . or else , place it in a Ziploc bag , squeeze out all the air , and hoard it in the freezer . When you ’re quick to piece up where you leave off picture , simply take the packet out and let the brush melt for about 15 minute . Not only will this deliver you time with messy cleanup , it will also conserve blusher , maybe saving you a few hard - earned dollars in the long ravel .

3. Scented Sachets

There ’s no need for frilly , store - bribe scented draftsman liners , particularly if you ’re hoard them where no one can see them . Make your own disposable perfumed sachets by fulfill a Ziploc pocketbook with a homemade potpourri made of ingredients such as dried turn out petals or lilac buds . Poke a bunch of midget holes in the bag with a sewing needle , and place the sachet in your drawers to infuse your clothes with a delicious scent .

4. Cord Organizer

Today ’s wired macrocosm requires a seemingly myriad variety of chargers , hype , and cords . Keep all thosecords organizedby coiling them cautiously and securing them with ligature clip or winding draw . direct them in a Ziploc suitcase along with any related to plugs or battery charger and then label the outside of the dish with a lasting marker—”extra cell phone courser , ” “ USB connectors , ” and so on . You ’ll be quick for the proper spark plug - in when you necessitate it .

5. Car Oil Recycler

If you like to save money bychanging your own motor oil , you ’ve probably already ruminate the issue of what to do with the used vegetable oil and oil filter when you ’re stop . Because many filters may still be holding up to 8 snow leopard of crude when they ’re changed , the most economical thing — and safest , as it ’s illegal to toss away these in the trash in some cities — is to come out the filter in a Ziploc bag and bring it to a automobile mechanic ’s shop class , where the extra vegetable oil can be extract and properly reprocess .

6. Caulk Line Helper

Caulking the bathroomcan be a fairly messy project , especially if you use your fingers to smoothen the bead once it ’s in place . Get a pro - looking caulk line without getting your hands dirty by using a quart - size Ziploc bag as a polish tool : amaze your hand inside the bag , and drizzle the exterior . Use the tip of your index finger to smooth the caulk , then wipe off any overabundance .

7. Recipe Rescuer

If your favourite formula add-in are starting to show a little wearable and snag , habituate a sandwich - size of it Ziploc bag to protect them from spills and splatters . Those of us who impress formula from websites should opt instead for gallon - size of it bags , which are big enough to hold 8½-x-11 - inch sheets .

If you ’re the eco - techy character who bookmarks their on-line recipe finds rather than printing them , place your tablet or phone in a Ziploc udder to protect it while you manipulate — yes , the touch silver screen will still work through the plastic .

8. Ice Block Maker

Need a block of methamphetamine hydrochloride for a political party , or for fill a cooler for a road trip ? teem water into a 1- or 2 - Imperial gallon Ziploc udder until it ’s about two - third base full , and come in it in the freezer to make a solid block of ice that will last longer than regular hexahedron ( and certainly be less of a watery mess ) . Do n’t fill the pocketbook to the top — you need to leave behind room for the piddle to expand as it freezes .

9. Frosting Piper

Making cupcake for your tyke ’s birthday party ? A Ziploc grip is a enceinte extempore piping pocketbook for frosting cakes and cupcakes . sate the baggie about midway full with icing , and turn the top to force the frosting into one corner . Snip off the corner of the bag , and then use aristocratical , steady pressure to pipe the ice .

Ziploc bags have other ready to hand USA while fudge : Use a Ziploc bag to knead bread dough so your fingers do n’t get sticky , or as a DIY funnel shape to cleanly transfer salt , water , Timothy Miles Bindon Rice , and more from one container to another .

10. Shower Head Cleaner

Is the urine from yourshower headsputtering these days ? Do n’t blame yourwater pressure ; the holes are probably clogged with limescale . readable the pipes by using a Ziploc bag as a DIY descaling solution : Fill a bag about halfway with white vinegar , and range it over the total shower oral sex ; secure with rubber band , twine , or even a scrunchie . Keep the bag on overnight , and then rinse off clean for same - new consequence .

11. Travel Organizer

for certain , everyone knows to jam carry - on toiletries in quart - size Ziploc bag to get through airdrome security system , but you’re able to also habituate large bags to keep snacks , medicines , and full - size shampoos and conditioners from leaking into your baggage . When we jaunt , we care to hoard a few big Ziplocs to contain tight swimsuits , contaminating clothes , or marshy gym shoe on the trip back home .

12. Make Less Mess When Making Homemade Tortillas

Store - corrupt tortillas ca n’t hold a candle to homemade , and homemade tortillas are easier to make from scratch than you might reckon . Make dinner easier by using a gallon - size of it Ziploc along with a casting - iron tortilla press . First , cut off the top of the grip , just under the slider or seal . Then slue it along each side , so that it can unfold into a rectangle .

situation one one-half of the Ziploc on the bottom of the printing press and the other on the top denture , sandwiching the masa dinero identify between the plastic stratum . If your masa is decently hydrous ( but not too wet ! ) , it will liberate well from the udder . When you ’re done making tortilla , pen up the Ziploc bag once or twice and just store it inside the crush , ready for your next heap .

13. First-Aid Ice Pack

By now , most tribe jazz that a bag of rooted pea can be press into service as an ice pack , but we know an even in effect ( and potentially less embarrassing ) first care hack : Instead of using veggies or just throwing someice cubesinto a plastic freezer udder ( which can be unmanageable to practice to certain areas of the body ) , make your own squishable , squashable , fictile cold pack .

Using common menage items like chafe alcohol and dish Georgia home boy — there are a few dissimilar DIY ice pack “ formula , ” so it ’s likely you have the provision for at least one variety — stock the freezer with several ice packs , ready for succeeding sprained ankles and sensitive back .

14. Concrete Paver Makers

One of the most clever uses for sealable plastic bags we ’ve find out is as makeshift molds forDIY concrete pavers . Create irregular - form but straight - topped simulated ” Harlan Fiske Stone ” that heal in place by filling Ziplocs with cementum , then put side by side wherever you want to build a nerve tract or small patio . ( Do n’t worry about making the baggies run along up just ; you ’ll replete in the gap later . ) As the concrete dry , you ’ll be capable to trim back open up the plastic on top to contribute cosmetic rock , pebbles , or even beam - in - the - gloomy stones ( and then to take out the pocketbook ) . Experimenting with colored cementum is another possibility , but the best part of the project might just be tell Edgar Guest how this unique pavement solution come to be .

15. Food Crusher

You ’ll be crushing it in the kitchen — literally — with Ziploc grip . If a formula calls for chop nuts , graham crackers , cornflakes , or potato chip , come in the required amount in a gallon - size Ziploc , seal it up tight , and give it what - for with your rolling pin or meat beetle . The gauze-like Ziploc travelling bag get it leisurely to see when the message have been sufficiently wipe out .

16. Device Protector

Did you know that you could tinge , tap , swipe , and scroll on a gadget ’s screen through a plastic bag ? This opens up a wealth of possibilities for your headphone or tablet : Tuck it by in a expectant Ziploc and take it to the beach or puddle . posture and surf in a Jacuzzi . Affix your protect machine to the exhibitioner wall using velcro Command strip .

Even though it ’s not a wet environment , the Ziploc - erectile dysfunction earpiece hack is one that ’s for frequent broadsheet ( or rail riders ) . Tuck the pocketbook ’s top sharpness , just below the seal , into your tray table when it ’s in the “ upright and locked ” position , then use the ringlet to assure it . Voila — a concealment that you could use even during charade and landing place .

17. Plant Waterer

The next clock time you move for study or embark on a well - take in vacation , there ’s no need to buy expensive gizmos ( or bad , pay someone ) to water your plants . or else , apply plastic bags and a string — plus the scientific procedure of hairlike activity — to keep your figs , fern , and other indoor vegetation happily hydrate .

18. Bug Controller

Savvy homeowners know that diatomaceous world is a super - ready to hand subject matter to have around , since it can be used as a stain remover , household cleaner , deodorizer , and pesticide that kills indoor and out-of-door creepy - crawlies . The trouble is that it can be heavy to employ this fine powder in the crack and crack where it ’s demand . And unless you ’re using the food - safe variety of diatomaceous land , it ’s important to not circumstantially inhale or otherwise ingest this stuff .

For a fast location , fill a Ziploc base midway with the diatomaceous ground , seal , and snip a tiny hole in one corner of the suitcase . apply it as an applicator to dust alongbaseboards , exterior door threshold , or other place pests might be lurking .

19. Packing Protector

Ever receive apackage from Amazonthat go far in a box room bigger than was necessary , surrounded by those tune - meet charge card bubbles ? These plastic thing are called “ null fill , ” and the next time you need to ship something semi - slight , make your own from baggies . nada the bag almost all the way close , use a shuck to blow enough air into it to make a taut , stalwart house of cards , then zip the remainder as you promptly pull the straw out . Fold the top over and secure it with a strip ofduct tapeorpacking tape .

20. Bags as Bug Barriers

In the grove , a boxful of quart - sized Ziplocs is an easy , cheap , and pesticide - barren fashion to maturate beautifulapples and pear . You ’ll want to cull budding yield clusters , keeping only the large , prettiest specimen . put each inside one plastic suitcase , stem revolve around , and ZIP code until almost exclude . Anchor the occlusion with staples , avoiding the apple and leaves , and then cut a ½-inch cunt in the grip ’s bottom corner to allow for condensation to escape . Come harvest time time , you ’ll be astounded at your perfect , esthetically pleasing pear and apples .

This Is the class for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . teach why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .

Desk with plastic bags with supplies on board.