Long gone are the days when we could only rely on plastic carrier bags to store our shopping hauls. With some countries banning plastic bags, it’s expected of us to switch to fabric bags to ease the damage that we’ve done to our environment. Not only that! You can also use these personalised eco-friendly bags to get the word out about your brand.
At first glance, this switch may seem a bit annoying. However, when you compare the benefits of reusable vs plastic bags, it’s easy to see that fabric bags can help us save money AND make our planet healthier.
That said, we must take care of them if we want them to stay in use for a long time. Cleaning and storing your custom printed bags properly is bound to prevent them from succumbing to the daily wear and tear so soon!
Taking Care of Your Printed Fabric Bags
Available in many sizes, styles and shapes, fabric bags are the best solution for the growing plastic epidemic. Nevertheless, they require a bit of practice to keep them in top-notch condition — and that includes categorising and storing them correctly.
As a rule of thumb, we should keep any fabric bags we may have in the same spot at home. Alternatively, we could also have a few extra ones in the car that should come in handy for any impromptu shopping sprees.
However, where to keep them will depend on how much space you have. Some people like folding them neatly in drawers, while others may go for multi-purpose bins.
If you opt for bins, make sure that you get a couple of them to separate smaller from larger bags. That way, you won’t have to rummage around and mess them up every time you need them!
Branded Fabric Bags Care and Storage Tips
Lunch and Shopping Bags
To avoid overwhelming your work or school bag, you can use small to medium printed canvas bags as lunch bags. These come in many fantastic designs, with some even having zippers like our Pacific Zipped Cotton Canvas Shoppers to keep your lunch secure. Of course, they’re also foldable, so they don’t take up much space when they’re not in use.
On the other hand, custom shopping bags are usually larger and have handles. The best way to store these is to simply hang them off a hook (perhaps in your kitchen or pantry). Storing them this way would let you keep them crease-free, not to mention that you’d only need a second to grab them before going out.
Do remember, though, that you should empty your shopping bags before storing them away. If you leave them full, the weight may put unnecessary stress on the handles, which could lead to them ripping at the most unfortunate moment!
Cloth Purses and Backpacks
You may also have a few fabric purses that have become your daily must-haves. Since they aren’t meant to be used for the same purpose as your shopping totes, we recommend keeping them separated and, ideally, stored in your closet or on a shelf.
It’s also a good idea to stuff them with some items to maintain their shape. Consider using pillow inserts to shape and protect the bags whenever they aren’t in use.
Finally, in case you have some branded backpacks, aim to keep them in good condition by hanging them off a wall hook. Since they can take up a bit more space than regular cloth bags, you shouldn’t fold them up. You may also have to use them every day, so keeping them on a hook makes more sense in general.
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Reach Broader Audiences with Unique Branded Backpacks
How to Clean Your Cloth Bags
Even if you have plenty of space at home, there is no point in keeping old and dirty bags around. They would only take up room, so remember to declutter your fabric bags often to keep your collection streamlined.
That said, remember that fabric bags do require a bit of maintenance to ensure they stay in use for longer. That includes frequent washing and drying, too, as we don’t want them to smell funny or, even worse, grow mould.
If you store your bags before drying them properly, mould may grow inside, effectively ruining the bag and preventing you from using it. Therefore, make sure to clean your bags after every use and wash them whenever you can.
Once washed, dry the bags in the sun, leaving them out long enough for all the moisture to dissipate. As soon as they’re completely dry, fold them up and store them somewhere dry, such as in a cupboard.
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Make Your Brand Stand Out with Printed Cotton Bags
Check out our full collection of promo bags which includes branded cotton bags, printed tote bags, logo drawstring bags, and custom travel bags. If you require further information or have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today.