A Trader Joe’s Checkout Moment Sparks a Grocery Bag Hygiene Wake-Up

Across the United States, at least 12 states have passed laws promoting the use of reusable grocery bags, a move that has significantly cut down the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans. These policies, which began with San Francisco’s landmark plastic bag ban in 2007, are credited with reducing plastic bag usage by as much as 47%, making them a notable environmental success.

Given those benefits, bringing reusable bags to the store is generally seen as a positive habit — not something deserving of criticism. That’s why a recent experience shared by a TikTok creator named Kaylen caught many people off guard. While checking out at Trader Joe’s, Kaylen says she was subtly shamed by a cashier after admitting she had never washed her reusable bags. For many viewers, the revelation sparked a surprising question: are reusable grocery bags actually supposed to be washed?

In her viral video, Kaylen described the moment that left her puzzled. She recalled proudly handing over her reusable bags, only for the cashier to comment on how well the bags wash. The remark immediately confused her. “Wash well? Are we washing grocery bags now?” Kaylen joked, admitting that the idea had never crossed her mind.

The interaction led her to question her own habits. Turning to her followers, she asked whether she was alone in not washing her bags or if the practice was more common than she realized. “Am I gross? Is everyone washing their grocery bags except me?” she asked, wondering whether the cashier’s comment was a polite hint — and what might have happened inside other shoppers’ bags to make washing necessary.

Many commenters quickly weighed in, confirming that washing reusable bags is, in fact, a good idea. Several former grocery store employees shared firsthand experiences, noting that some bags they encountered were dirty, sticky, foul-smelling, or worse. One former Trader Joe’s worker said the cashier was likely trying to suggest washing the bag without being rude. Others compared reusable bags to reusable utensils — items meant to be cleaned regularly, unlike disposable alternatives.

Health experts also back up the advice. According to Reusethisbag, reusable grocery bags can harbor harmful bacteria such as E. coli, particularly when raw meat leaks inside the bag and later comes into contact with fresh produce. This type of cross-contamination can cause serious illness, including diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and in severe cases, infections caused by Shiga toxin–producing E. coli.

Cleaning frequency depends on what you carry. E-Cloth recommends washing reusable bags after every use if they’ve held raw meat. For bags used to carry items with lower contamination risk, washing them about once a week is generally sufficient.

As for how to clean them, the process is simple. Cotton reusable bags can be tossed into the washing machine like regular laundry, though they should be air-dried to prevent shrinking. Nylon bags can be turned inside out and washed with soap and water or placed on a gentle cycle in the washing machine to avoid damage.

In short, while reusable bags are an environmentally friendly choice, keeping them clean is an important step in making sure they’re also safe to use.