Make your own Plastic Bag Dryer

While we're trying to reduce plastic bags in our household, sometimes they are an inevitability. Going to the airport, for example, requires us to break out a few ziplocks. Not just for the security check, but to make sure our shampoo doesn't explode in flight and get all over our clothes (it's happened a few times).

We still use zipped bags extensively for storing food in our fridge and freezer as well. We're trying to train ourselves to use our tupperware more, but the convenience of the bags is often too tempting.

Every time I throw one of the bags out, I wish I didn't have to, but I haven't been able to find an alternative. Washing them is easy, but drying them is extremely difficult.

When wet, the inside plastic sticks together, and makes it hard to find anywhere to lay them to dry out the inside. I've tried turning them inside out, but doing so with any amount of frequency seems to tear the plastic, rendering them useless.

Enter a brilliant product idea: The Plastic Bag Dryer. Just looking at it, you can imagine this will do the job. And it's kind of cool and funky looking on your counter top as well. You can purchase one at Greenfeet.com for 16.95.

Or, if you have thirty seconds, you can just make one yourself. 

Here's what you'll need:
1. Good sized mug or glass
2. Leftover chopsticks from asian take-out runs
3. Scotch tape or rubber bands
4. Dish towel

Instructions:
1.  Lay the dish towel on your counter.
2.  Tape or rubber band two chopsticks together, end-to-end, for height
3.  Put the chopsticks into your mug. Another alternative is to use pens, but only when capped, otherwise they might rip the bag. You can also try using a rubber spatula, put in spatula-side down, but will probably only be able to fit one or two.
4.  Wash out your ziplock bag in the sink.
5.  Hang it on your chopsticks upside down, and watch it drip-dry over the course of the next day.

The finished product:

Though certainly not as attractive as the store-bought version, it gets the job done. It's also easy to take apart, store, and put back together when you need it.

And thus completes today's awesomely silly project. :)

Comments

[Sunny]

I do have to say, I have one of the store bought ones. I finally broke down and purchased it because my homemade ones never quite seemed to cut it. It was a great investment. I have used it for years. I also use it to dry out bottles, the bladder sack for liquids when I go backpacking and tetra-paks (like what soymilk comes in) when I wash them out before recycling. Sometimes breaking down and buying something you will use everyday is worth it too :)

[SeattleBrad]

I love it!