When you hear the word “Ziploc” you know that it’s referring to resealable bags. But what you may not realise is that Ziploc is actually a new product to New Zealand.
It’s like when people refer to Sellotape or Frisbees – those are actually brand names that have become so synonymous with the product that we commonly use them as the generic term. In the same way, Ziploc is a well-known name, even though these resealable bags are new to the New Zealand market.
To find out if the product lives up to its fame, I tried out a selection of products from the Ziploc range.
The Ziploc range for review
Ziploc Sandwich Bags
In a great-sized pack of 100, the Ziploc Sandwich Bags are not only the perfect size for standard sandwiches, but they’re also affordable. They’re not just for sandwiches though, they can also be used for a range of fresh and dried snacks and are ideal for portioning out from bulk buy bags and packets. I used them to keep veggies like strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and snow peas fresh and crisp in the fridge after being picked from the garden.
Ziploc Sandwich Bags Extra Large
Thank you, Ziploc – finally, a teen-sized sandwich bag! The Extra Large Sandwich Bags are 40% bigger, making them large enough to hold a variety of bread options. I found them ideal for wraps when they’ve been filled and cut in two. They’re also big enough for a well-stuffed bagel.
Ziploc Storage Bags Medium
Ziploc bags aren’t just for lunch boxes and these storage bags have 101 uses for all those bits and bobs that kids, families, and homes accumulate. We used them for keeping board game pieces and play money from disappearing into the games cupboard. They’re also a good size for storing larger fruit and veg like capsicums and tomatoes in the fridge.
Ziploc Storage Bags Large
The Large Storage Bags are an awesome size – you will literally never want to be without them. They’re perfect for storing large vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, celery and leafy greens in the fridge. We also used them for Christmas lights – cos you know you’re never getting them back in the box they came out of! They were also used for tinsel, and delicate decorations like baubles were stored with a couple of the Ziploc Sandwich Bags inflated and slid into the bag for easy air-filled protection.
Ziploc Snack Bags are also available.
Find Ziploc seal top bags in the food wrap/bags aisle at your local supermarket.
They’re not just made, they’re designed
Plastic bags are just single-use products, right? Not so. Ziploc seal top bags have been designed to be strong enough to be reused. Just wash, dry and they’re good to go again*. The bags are also made from the least amount of plastic possible to keep them sturdy, yet light.
Ziploc seal top bags are designed to seal in freshness, helping to keep food fresher for longer. Fruit, veggies, leafy greens – they’re all kept fresh and it’s easy to see what’s inside.
The Grip ‘n seal is easy for little fingers to open – and for this mum with arthritic hands – as it has a wide grip tab to get a really good hold, making it easier for wet hands too.
The verdict
The beauty of Ziploc bags is that they’re strong enough to use for a range of purposes: Puzzle pieces are kept together, stationery is sorted, library books are kept clean in the backpack, leafy greens from the garden are easy to keep fresh without taking up a heap of space in the fridge.
Being reusable means that they just keep on giving without the guilt of single-use plastic. For such a well-designed product they are also surprisingly affordable, especially when you factor in the reusability.
Since the Ziploc bags arrived at the house, our favourite saying is now, “I’ve got a bag for that!”
Tips for washing and drying reusable bags
Ziploc seal top bags are strong enough to be hand-washed, dried and used again*. To wash the bags, just turn them inside out and pop them in a sink of warm soapy water for a quick rub around and rinse.
Drying your bags can be done in a multitude of ways. The key is to pop them over something clean that enables the bag to remain open while they air dry. Mason jars and those cute little milk bottles are ideal, but I prefer to use a pair of decorative, empty wine bottles on my kitchen bench. You can also stand them up in the dish rack on your sink or a baby bottle drying rack works great too. Even just a chopstick or wooden spoon in a glass is enough to support a bag while it dries.
*Ziploc does not recommend reusing bags after storing raw meat, fish, eggs, or potentially allergy-triggering foods. When you can’t reuse a bag, give it a rinse out and pop it into a soft plastics recycling bin.
Created in partnership with Ziploc. The author was provided with a supply of Ziploc seal top bags for the purpose of this review. Views are those of the author.
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Written by Julie Scanlon
Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire.
Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”
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