5 brilliant ways to use sandwich bags around your home

They’re cheap, recyclable and an incredibly handy product. Yes, we’re talking about the humble sandwich bag (aka zip-lock bags). Although primarily used for food storage and making prepacked freezer meals at home, there are lots of other clever uses for zip-lock bags, from cleaning your shower head and untangling jewellery, to keeping pesky flies away. Here are some ideas:

Clean your shower head

Shower head running a bit slow these days? This is usually caused by a build-up of deposits. To fix this, mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, then pour it into a zip-lock bag and wrap it around your shower head with an elastic. Let the solution sit for a few hours. The vinegar will help break down those deposits and have your shower head working like new again in no time. Once it’s done soaking, give it a quick scrub to remove any excess gunk.

Untangle jewellery

Instead of wasting your time tugging desperately at the tangled mess, grab yourself some baby powder and a zip lock bag. Add one tablespoon of baby powder into the sandwich bag, place the jewellery inside and give things a gentle shake for about a minute. The baby powder works with the knots and helps to break things up without doing any damage to the chain. Remove the necklace or bracelet from the bag and start rubbing at the knots with your fingers. Continue working until the jewellery is free of knots and ready to be worn.

Fly repellent

Yes, you read that right, you can make an effective fly repellent using a zip-lock bag. Many people swear that a zip-lock bag filled with water and a couple of coins will keep pesky flies at bay. The idea is that the bags filled with water creates some type of optical illusion that scares them away.

Make a piping bag

Don’t have a piping bag on-hand whilst baking? The good news is you don’t have to run up to the shops — you can make a piping bag at home. Simply fill up a zip-lock bag with the icing and cut off the tip of a corner. While any old zip-lock bag will do, a thicker resealable bag, like a freezer bag, is a good choice if your icing is thick.

Travel accessory

From toiletries to souvenirs, zip-lock bags are a useful investment for your next overseas holiday. Zip-lock bags can hold pretty much anything, so it’s a good idea to keep one in your bag, just in case. They’re also a good option for storing packed lunches while out and about, and waterproofing your phone if you’re riding on a boat or heading to the beach.