Smelly Proof Reusable Storage Bags Review: Better for Your Wallet and the Planet

We had an awesome July 4th Party, but when it was over, my wife Raina and I couldn’t believe how much wasteful packaging everything we bought came in. Then, to make matters worse, we put leftovers in single-use plastic bags. I realized there has to be a better way. And Smelly Proof reusable storage bags just might be part of the solution.

Raina and I constantly marvel at how much garbage we generate, but it is after Costco runs that we are the most horrified.

Countless products come in plastic storage containers wrapped in clear plastic wrap, then placed into a box. Then two or three of those items are placed into a bigger box, and then THAT box is wrapped in clear plastic. To get to the product, you need to go through multiple layers, and most, if not all, of it simply gets tossed into the garbage.

It’s disgusting, but there really isn’t much we can do about Costco. We can, however, change our own behavior.

I’ve tried to in the past but wasn’t entirely successful. For example, I purchased a few silicone storage bags of various sizes a few years ago. I hoped they could replace the single-use plastic bags and plastic wrap we had been using. That experiment lasted less than a month.

The bags were thick and heavy, and they didn’t function as a one-to-one replacement for the baggies we relied upon. Moreover, purchasing enough of the silicone bags to switch over completely was going to be absurdly expensive.

The Smelly Proof reusable storage bags I was sent some months ago take a different approach and just may have the staying power I have been seeking.

Made in the USA from FDA-approved materials, Smelly Proof bags initially look like “standard” baggies. They have a similar design to the ubiquitous swingle-use bags, but they are much thicker and stronger.

They are made without using BPA, PEVA, Phthalates, or Silicon, and the company claims – rightly so — that their bags “help the environment” thanks to the fact that they can be used and reused multiple times.

Smelly Proof reusable storage bags are way better than your usual reusable bags. They’re super-duper strong because they’re made from really good stuff. That means you can use them again and again and again! Plus, they’re helping the planet by reducing the amount of plastic waste. So they’re not only good for you, but they’re good for the world too!

And the Smelly Proof bags are tough. How tough? I’ve (unsuccessfully) tried pulling Smelly Proof bags apart and had to struggle to put a sharp knife through one. Additionally, the Multi-Track zipper used to seal the bags was designed to be opened and closed hundreds of times.

On top of that, their effective safe temperature range of -2F(-19C) to 190F(88C) means they can be used for Sous Vide cooking. (Soups Vide typically requires water to be in the 140F (40C) to 170F (77C) range.)

But there’s more. In addition to being strong and reusable, the bags also seal in smells and moisture better than traditional plastic bags. As the company explains,

Our Barrier Technology locks in odors, vapors, moisture, and oxygen better than any other reusable storage bags on the market!

But perhaps the best thing about Smelly Proof reusable storage bags is that their added thickness and strength make them an ideal universal, reusable storage solution for items of various sizes. So while they are great for keeping leftovers, they are also ideal for picnics, camping, travel, and more.

And while we’ve all used “standard” plastic bags for these purposes and more, they usually end up in the trash after one trip or outing. From there, of course, they end up in a landfill or, worse, the ocean.

With Smelly Proof bags, you can reuse the same bag multiple times. That means, for example, I can leave the Smelly Proof bags I’m using on my current trip in my suitcase when I get home and have them waiting for my next trip. And if they get dirty, I can just wash them, and once they air dry, they’ll be good as new.

We love companies with a mission and are always happy to help promote their causes. In the case of Smelly Proof, the creatives behind the product describe their mission this way:

At our company, we’re on a mission to make a big impact. Our goal is to prevent a staggering 3 billion single-use plastic bags from entering our oceans, waterways, and landfills by 2028. We’re not only committed to this goal, but we’re also taking action to make it happen.

When customers buy our high-quality reusable storage bags online, we donate 1% of our profits to help protect our oceans from the challenges that threaten the health of the ecosystem, including the use of single-use plastics. Our reusable storage bags are a practical and eco-friendly choice that allow you to make a positive difference in the world while also getting a product that’s built to last.

I know plastic storage bags aren’t something people get excited about. But this is one easy change that we can all make to reduce the amount of single-use plastic polluting our world.

Smelly Proof reusable storage bags cost a bit more up-front than “standard” plastic baggies, but unlike plastic baggies, Smelly Proof bags can be used, washed, dried, and reused dozens, if not hundreds, of times. So while the initial outlay of money is a bit steeper if you switch to Smelly Proof bags, in the long run, they are actually far cheaper.

A good product that is good for the planet and my wallet? Sign me up.

Smelly Proof reusable storage bags are available in multiple sizes, starting at $5.99 for 10 micro bags to $12.99 for 5 in the 2-gallon size; they are available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Available in a wide range of sizes and styles; Strong, reusable, seal in odors; Can be washed, dried, and reused multiple times; Won’t easily tear or puncture

What Needs Improvement: Nothing