How to Make a Plastic Bag Holder

Co-authored by April Jordan

Last Updated: May 25, 2021

Many people like to save their plastic grocery bags as trashcan liners, for crafts, and other purposes. Unfortunately, plastic bags can take up a lot of room. You could always stuff yours into an extra plastic bag, but why do that when you could make something that looks so much nicer? Plastic bag holders are quick and easy to make. With just a few supplies, you'll have a neat plastic bag holder in your kitchen in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Plastic Bottle

1
Clean a plastic, 2-liter soda bottle, then peel off the label. If there is any residue, you can wash it off with some rubbing alcohol or white vinegar.
2
Cut off the top portion of the bottle so that you have a 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) wide opening. You could also measure down 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) from the base of the neck, make a mark, then use that mark as your cutting guide. Use a box cutter or craft blade to cut the bottle.

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3
Cut the bottom off of the plastic bottle. Some plastic soda bottles have a molded line. If your bottle is one of those, you can use that line as a cutting guide. Otherwise, cut off 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) off of the bottom of your bottle.
4
Use a pair of scissors to trim away ragged edges on the top and bottom. If you'd like, you can make the bottom smoother by pressing a hot iron against it for 15 to 20 seconds. Don't do this for the top hole, or the plastic bags may get caught.
- Use the highest setting on your iron.
5
Paint or decorate the bottle, if desired. Your holder is almost complete, but you can make it look nicer (and less like a plastic bottle) by spray painting it or by covering it with scrapbooking paper.
- Attach the scrapbooking paper with double-sided tape.
6
Punch two holes on both sides of the cut bottom edge, and thread a ribbon through them. This is now the top of your plastic bag holder. Alternatively, you can also punch just one hole, thread a short piece of ribbon through it, then tie the ribbon into a loop.
7
Hang the holder by the ribbon, then fill it with bags you intend to reuse. Roll up the bags, then place them into the bottle one at a time.^{[1]
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Expert Source

April Jordan
Sustainability Specialist
Expert Interview. 22 September 2020.} Pull the plastic bags out from the smaller hole at the bottom.
8
Use the plastic bag holder. Pull the plastic bags out, one at a time, from the bottom hole. Refill the bag by stuffing more plastic bags through the top hole.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Fabric

1
Get a 15 by 15-inch (38.1 by 38.1-centimeter) piece of fabric. Ordinary cotton would work for this, but upholstery-weight fabric would be even better. If you use a lot of bags, consider using a 15 by 24-inch (38.1 by 60.96-centimeter) piece of fabric instead.^{[2]
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Research source}
2
Turn the fabric so that the wrong side is facing you, then fold both of the side edges over twice to make the hems. Fold the edges over by ¼ inch (0.64 centimeters) first, and press them with an iron. Fold them over by ½ inch (1.27-centimeters) and press them flat with an iron once more.
- If you are using a longer piece of fabric, fold and press the narrower edges.
3
Pin a piece of folded ribbon to the center of one of the hems. Take a 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) piece of ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide ribbon, and fold it in half. Find the center of one of your hems, and pin the ribbon in place. Make sure that the bottom/raw edges of the ribbon are aligned with the bottom edge of the hem. This will make a loop on the top of your bag holder so that you can hang it.
4
Edge stitch the hems down. Sew as close to the inner folded edge as you can, so that you can slide the elastic through. When you reach the ribbon, be sure to sew right over it.
- Sew ⅛ to ¼-inch (0.32 to 0.64-centimeter) away from the inner edge of the hem to ensure that your elastic will fit.
5
Thread a piece of elastic through the top and bottom hems, and secure the edges with pins. Cut two pieces of 7-inch (17.78-centimeter) long, ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide elastic. Use a safety pin to pull the elastic through the top hem. Pin both ends of the elastic to both openings of the hem; the hem will scrunch up on the elastic. When you are done, repeat this step with the other elastic for the bottom hem.
6
Fold the fabric in half, lengthwise, with the right sides facing each other. Make sure that the raw edges of the fabric square are aligned, and that the hems are on the top and bottom. Secure the edges with more pins.
7
Sew along the raw edge using a ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) seam allowance. Backstitch across the openings of the hems and the ends of the elastic a few times for extra security.
- If your fabric has a tendency to fray, finish the raw edge with a zigzag stitch.
- Remove the sewing pins as you sew.
- Trim off any loose threads for a neater finish.
8
Turn your bag inside out and use it. Use the little ribbon loop to hang it on a hook. Fill the bag with plastic bags. Pull the plastic bags out through the bottom.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I create my own bag holder?

April Jordan
Sustainability Specialist
April Jordan is a Sustainability Specialist and the Founder of The Ethical Edit, a blog dedicated to making ethical fashion and lifestyle changes accessible by sharing easy-to-digest sustainability information and ethical and sustainable brand reviews. With over five years of experience in sustainability and over five years in the marketing and communications field, April is passionate about using her skills to make the world a better place.

April Jordan

Sustainability Specialist

Expert Answer

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A plastic water or soda bottle that you want to repurpose works really well for this. Cut the bottom off the bottle then punch one or two holes into the new bottom of the bottle and attach a hook or string so you can hang it up. Then, roll up some plastic bags you would like to reuse and put them in the bottle. Take the cap off and voila—you can pull the bags out one at a time. Convenient, right?

Things You'll Need

Using a Plastic Bottle

2-liter soda bottle
Box cutter or craft blade
Scissors
Spray paint (optional)
Scrapbooking paper and double-sided tape (optional)
Hole puncher
Ribbon

Using Fabric

15 by 15-inch (38.1 by 38.1-centimeter) piece of fabric
2 pieces of 7-inch (17.78-centimeter) long, ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide elastic
2 inches (5.08 centimeters) ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) wide ribbon
Fabric scissors
Sewing pins
Safety pin
Thread
Sewing machine