How many of you bring home plastic grocery bags from the store and shove them under the sink to use for later?
*raises hand* I’m guilty.
I save all plastic bags because I often use them as trash bag liners in my bathrooms. I also cut them up and make plarn to make bags, rugs and other random “stuff” with.
Since my husband informed me that I was one plastic trash bag away from an episode of hoarders, I decided that I should probably come up with an easier storage solution quickly.
Luckily, I cruise Pinterest more than the average person, so I had kept this handy tutorial over at Tatertots and Jello around for a rainy (err… snowy) day activity.
Let’s get DIY-ing!
Supplies Needed
- 12 Plastic shopping bags
- Round cleaning wipes container
- Scrapbook Paper
- Ruler
- Paper Cutter
- Mod Podge
- Foam Brush
Instructions
Step 1 – Fold plastic bags in half and lay on the table on top of each other as shown in the diagram below.
Step 2 – Roll up. Keep the handle of the last bag out so you can pull this one out first.
Continue rolling until you have rolled up all 12 bags like this. I pre-folded bags in half and set them beside what I was currently rolling and added them in as I needed them.
Step 3 – Place bags in container and close. Pull a little bit of the bag out of the top and close lid.
Step 4 – Next, I cut the label off of the container and used it to measure my scrapbook paper. Once the scrapbook paper is cut, I brushed on a vertical line of Mod Podge where the glue was from the paper I just removed from the container. I simply wrapped the paper around the container and applied a bit of Mod Podge to the seam to glue it down good. I also traced a circle onto my paper using the bottom of my vitamin bottle and adhered it to the top of the container with Mod Podge to add a little bit more decoration.
After I completed this project, my husband looked at me, looked at the decorated container and rolled his eyes. He pulled a bottle of pop from the refrigerator and said, would you like to use this too after I’m done with it. Why yes, Mr. SmartyPants, I would. 
Thus is the life of a crafter.
Oh, and once I showed him what the container had it in AND the extra space that we now had under our sink… he shut his mouth.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Please check out our crafts section for more tutorials and DIY ideas.
About amanda
What a neat idea!
This is great, I am always trying to find a new spot for our bags!
How neat! I have two empty cleaning containers I was about to throw out. I am going to give this a try.
Dee – These are great to keep in your car also for trips! I’m going to make another as soon as I have a free container.
What a great idea! I pinned it ヅ
Thank you!
What a great idea!
Great idea and a useful way to re-used those plastic bags. Also a wonderful way to keep them compacted inside the holder. I was thinking that might work for storage of my bags until I craft with them. Thanks for sharing the handy ideas.
That is a good idea. I think I might have more than 12 bags lying around though. I always seem to forget my reusable bags. Then after my cupboard gets full to the brim of plastic bags, I bring them to the store for recycle. LOL!
I love Pinterest too, btw! Such great ideas.
Great tutorial! Love the idea!
This project is such a great idea! I came across a website that sells printable vinyl, that is what i’m going to use instead of scrapbook paper and glue. You just print out a scrapbook paper pattern, cut to size peal and stick its that easy! Thanks for the great idea! The web site is http://www.cricketcandy.com
This is a really great idea. It’s simple, easy and so useful. I have a ton of plastic bags taking up space and had been thinking I needed a container of some sort to put them in. This is super cute and I love how you’re reusing the bags as well as the container. You rock!
AWESOME idea!!!! I am so trying this!
oh, I love this idea. I always try to reuse the sanitizer wipe containers this is perfect! Our town is not going to allow plastic bags any more, but we have a bunch & I like to reuse them to be greener.
drop by my site if you like & enter just by commenting for a family movie & book! Had a nice visit on your site today.
This is genius, will have to try this when I get the chance, came across your site through stumbleupon. ~Christina
I use one of these for unseen spare change in my car… so I better not do that one..Lol But I do love your idea for the grocery bags, thanks
Thank you! It is a great idea to use them for spare change also! I try to recycle any containers I can
Thanks for this! Im going to make several of these! Priceless about your hubby! Lol!!!
oh i loved this tutorial. it was so wonderful , am definitely going to try this out. thanks alot.
Friggin loved this Amanda.
Here’s my newest “craft”
http://www.etsy.com/listing/95662185/colourful-scripted-magnets
Much love,
Jessica xx
Those are very cute Jessica! Thanks for stopping by!
Love this!
so much nicer then those fabric tubes to stuff them in….. I going to have to make a few of these I’m sure…. I use my recyclable bags for trash liners and I refill my bean bags with them too, after scrunching them up….
Found this on Pinterest and just made one, I love it! Takes up so much less space and looks so much better
I love this – I hope you don’t mind but I have linked to it in a blog post of projects I want to attempt. The post is here: http://myroundtuitblog.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/diy-grocery-bag-holder/
Thanks for including me on your site!
Love this Idea! My husband hates that I save everything, but if it can be used why throw it away! I’m so making these I might need 2 or 3 lol !