If you’ve ever had a declutter, a house move, or a car boot sale in your life, chances are you’ve got at least one of those big blue Ikea bags tucked away somewhere. They’re one of the most useful (and cheapest) tools we recommend to clients, and there’s more to them than just hauling stuff to the tip.
Here are ten ways we suggest putting yours to good use.
1. Room-by-room sorting. Use one bag per room when decluttering, so items don’t get muddled between spaces and everything has a clear ’home‘ to return to if needed.
2. Charity shop runs. Keep a bag on the go permanently for charity donations. Once it’s full, it’s ready to drop off — no last-minute scrambling to find bags.
3. Seasonal storage. They’re brilliant for out-of-season bedding, coats or Christmas decorations, and far easier to lift and carry than a stack of boxes.
4. Garden waste. Sturdy enough for leaves, cuttings and light garden debris, and much easier on the back than a wheelbarrow for smaller jobs.
5. Moving day essentials. Fill one with everyday items you’ll need on your first night in a new home — kettle, toiletries, chargers — so you’re not digging through boxes.
6. Shoe storage. A surprisingly good way to keep out-of-season or spare shoes together and off the floor of a cupboard.
7. Recycling sorting. Keep one by the back door for cardboard, plastics or glass ready for collection day.
8. Car boot organisation. Use one to keep blankets, wellies or emergency kit tidy in the boot, rather than loose items rolling around. You can also keep one on hand in the boot for if you suddenly find there’s too much to grab from the car, and you can put it all in there to get everything into the house.
9. Beach and picnic gear. Perfect for stashing towels, a picnic blanket and outdoor toys together, so you can grab one bag and go rather than gathering everything separately.
10. Leading up to a holiday. In the days and weeks before packing, put the holiday items in the bag ready to be packed.
These bags are washable, foldable when empty, and cost next to nothing — which makes them one of the few ’buy one, use forever‘ purchases you’ll make.
Remember though, whatever you use yours for, always label it. A simple luggage tag or using a sharpie/marker pen on masking tape (so you can remove it easily), saves you opening five bags to find the one you actually need.
If you’re in the middle of a declutter or a house move and want some hands-on help making sense of the process, we’re always happy to talk it through.