Mesh laundry bags are one of those invaluable laundry gadgets that you may or may not have ever used. If you haven’t ever used one, you are seriously missing out and that stops today!
Some ideas are just so brilliant that when you come across them, you literally smack yourself in the forehead because you’ve never thought of it before. For me, one of those is the number of ways you can use mesh laundry bags.
I first stumbled across the dishwasher tip (brilliant!) and then the sock tip… and before you know it, we have a whole collection of ways to use them. Mesh bags aren’t just for college kids anymore!
What Are Mesh Laundry Bags?
Mesh bags are inexpensive little bags that many people use to put their undergarments in when washing them to prevent them from snagging, twisting, or becoming misshapen.
Tips For Buying and Using Mesh Laundry Bags
- You can generally find two different styles of laundry bags: zippered and drawstring. Only buy the zippered type because the drawstrings can become frayed and tangled around other clothes.
- Avoid overfilling your bag. The items inside won’t get clean unless they can move around within the bag.
- Buy multiples in different sizes. You want to use a size that’s appropriate for the items that you are washing. Also, as you expand the ways you use these handy dandy items, you’ll find that you need different sizes and will likely use several at the same time for different jobs.
15 Genius Ways to Use Mesh Laundry Bags
Even if you have used mesh bags before, I’m willing to gamble that you don’t know all these different tricks and ways that you can use them. Grab these tips to make your housekeeping tasks easier.
Store Onions and Potatoes in Laundry Bags | JewelPie
Onions and potatoes should ideally be stored in a dry, dark and well-ventilated area. Store onions and potatoes in an over-the-door laundry bag in your pantry. They will stay fresh longer and you’ll be able to see through the bag to tell when you’re low on supplies.
Keep Sand Out of Toys | Childhood 101
There’s no better way to transport toys to and from the beach. A mesh laundry bag allows the sand to filter out so it doesn’t get in your vehicle or your house. Win! This tip also works for taking toys to the local park.
Carry Bigger Items in a Mesh Laundry Hamper | The Idea Room
Here’s the same concept using an expandable mesh hamper instead. You might want to go this route if you have larger sand toys that you need to carry around such as buckets or sifters. Items that won’t fit into a standard mesh laundry bag will fit in a mesh laundry hamper.
Catch our other beach hacks before hitting the sand!
Never Lose Socks Again | The Krazy Coupon Lady
Wash socks in a mesh laundry bag to keep them separate from the other things you’re washing. It’ll be so much easier to match them up when you’re done and you’ll never lose socks again.
Better Hanging Fruit Basket | The Boat Galley
Make a better hanging fruit basket with colanders and a large mesh laundry bag to keep the bugs at bay.
Clean Legos Easily | Life as Mama
Have you ever thought about all the germs on your kids’ Legos? How often do you clean them (Confession from me: almost never.)? Put all those little pieces in a laundry bag, and run them through a gentle cycle.
If you’re afraid the washer will be too rough on them, run them through the dishwasher instead.
Store Bathroom Toys | Two Twenty-one
Add one to the bathroom to store your kids’ bath toys when they’re not in use. They’ll drip dry, so you won’t have to worry about icky mold. Grab even more helpful bath toy storage ideas!
Dry Dishes When Camping | Starling Travel
Hang dishes out to dry while you’re camping. Genius! You won’t have to clutter up table space with drying dishes or spending relaxing (or hiking or fishing) time hand-drying dishes.
Dry Herbs | The Grow Network
Dry herbs the easy way! Just install plant hooks outdoors, put your herbs inside the mesh hampers, and hang them up.
If you live in a windy area, loop the handles around the hooks a couple of times to make sure they’re really secure.
Pool Toy Storage | Mama to 5 Blessings
What do you do with all those pool toys when they’re not in use? Wrangle them in a mesh bag so they can dry, of course! Does this one remind you of the bathtub storage idea? It should! It’s the same concept and makes it easy to grab those pool toys and go when it’s time to swim.
Keep Puzzles With Their Pieces | Average Inspired
Keep puzzles and all their pieces together in small mesh laundry bags. This tip is perfect for those heavy-duty wooden puzzles that you want to pass down from child to child.
Dishwashing Aid | Real Simple
Use a mesh laundry bag as a dishwashing aid. Put lids, baby pacifiers, fruit strainers, bottle pieces, and any other odds and ends in there to keep them in one easy-to-find place.
Sports Equipment Bag | Momtastic
Use one as an activity bag for sports equipment. All sports stuff gets super sweaty and super dirty. I’m talking sweaty gym clothes, cleats, uniforms, you name it. You definitely want to let it air out until you get time to wash it, and a mesh bag does that job perfectly!
Wash Stuffed Animals | Mama’s Laundry Talk
Have you ever thought about all the germs on your kids’ stuffed animals? Stomach bugs, lice, snotty noses and more all live on stuffed animals. From time to time, those beloved stuffed animals just need a good washing.
After checking them to make sure pieces are securely attached, throw them into a large mesh laundry bag before putting them in the washing machine.
Shoe Net | Glamumous
Although there are shoe nets designed for this purpose, you can always make a DIY shoe net out of a mesh bag and some string or tape. Attach it to the inside of your dryer door to dry those sports shoes without listening to them banging around.
I hope these tips will help you get clean and organized!
