Tired of all those shopping bags crammed under the sink that risk jumping out at any moment? This article will teach you how to fold a plastic bag into a compact, safe and easy-to-open shape.
Steps
Step 1. Flatten the bag and let all the air out
Make sure you line up both sides of the bag so the handles don't crease. It is easier to do this on a flat surface such as a kitchen counter.
Step 2. Fold the bag in half lengthwise and flatten it again to let the air out
Fold it another four or five times until you have a long, thin strip. The flatter it is, the easier it will be to fold.
Step 3. Fold one of the two corners of the bottom of the bag to the opposite side to form a triangle
Step 4. Fold the triangle back up:
this method is similar to that used to fold a flag.
Step 5. Repeat with the other corner, then fold the triangle up again
Step 6. Continue alternating these two steps until you reach the top of the bag
The flatter and neatly folded, the smaller the package will be.
Step 7. Fold the handles back and tuck the ends inside the triangle you formed
Your bag has become a small flat triangle.
Method 1 of 2: Open the Stock Exchange
Step 1. Open the bag by pulling out the handles folded inside and shaking it
Method 2 of 2: Alternative Technique for Folding the Bag
Step 1. Flatten and fold the bag in half lengthwise to create a strip as wide as the handles, as in steps 1 and 2 described above
Step 2. Fold the strip in half to make a shorter one
To make it even tighter, fold this strip in half lengthwise as in the previous step.
Step 3. Tie the bag into a knot
Form a loop about 2.5cm away from the folded end of the strip. It should be large enough to fit two fingers through. Make sure the folded end is in front of you and the longer "tail" crosses behind.
Step 4. Fold the tail towards you so that it crosses over the ring
Step 5. Push the middle part of the tail into the ring until it locks into it
The bag should now have a rough ball shape. If you can't do this because the strip is too thick, start over and flatten it better.
Step 6. To open the bag press in the middle of the ring until the "tail" comes out, thus creating a short strip
Unfold the strip and your bag is ready to use!
Advice
- Reuse plastic bags. Use them for garbage, put your shoes and dirty laundry in when you pack so you don't get your other clothes dirty, or use them to cover small items (like knick-knacks) to protect them from dust while on vacation.
- It is best to do this on a flat surface to get as much air out of the bag as possible. The flatter the strip that forms, the easier it is to fold.
- Some supermarkets and home improvement stores sell cloth tubes to put plastic bags in. Whether you fold them or not, it's a great way to keep them from scattering around the house and keep them until next use.
- Using this method, you can store many plastic bags and keep them in fair condition.
- An alternative could be to cut a window into a used (clean) plastic bottle - you can put the bags in there and not worry about having to fold them!
- Reuse plastic bags to collect dog droppings on walks. If they are folded they can fit comfortably in your pocket or purse during the walk until the moment of use.
- Get as much air out of the bag as possible. Flatten the strip every time you fold it.
- You can use this process with almost any type of plastic bag, although it works best with supermarket bags, which are thinner and of a standard size. Thicker bags, such as those in bookstores or shops, are more slippery and sometimes open on their own.
- It is much easier to tie a knot if you don't fold the strip in half, but it will be harder to untie and the bag will not be very compact.
Warnings
- Do not let children play with plastic bags.
- Plastic bags stored in dark places, such as under the sink, are breeding grounds for cockroaches.
- Make sure the bags are completely dry before folding them or you will have mold problems afterwards.
- It is best not to store bags that have been used to carry raw meat.
- Some cats like to play with plastic bags - make sure they don't have holes before using them!
