The internet is filled with packing hacks that promise to save space in your suitcase, but sometimes travelers are left wondering which ones are worth the effort. Often, the most effective tricks are simple, cheap, and hiding in plain sight. Case in point: There’s one everyday item found in most grocery stores that can also serve a useful purpose when traveling. Here’s a look at the supermarket staple in question and why you should consider packing one in your luggage before hitting the road.

A Bag of Tricks

You’re probably used to grabbing a reusable bag out of your trunk before you head into the grocery store, but according to Reddit users, you should also reach for one when packing your suitcase. Whether it’s a quick business trip or an extended beach getaway, tossing a reusable grocery bag in your luggage can make your life a little easier. And since folded reusable bags take up little to no room at all, you won’t waste valuable space in your luggage.

Any reusable grocery bag will do, though you can also turn to something like a trusted tote bag or even a sturdy plastic bag if you don’t have a reusable grocery bag handy. All you need is any bag that’s durable enough not to tear open and fall apart as you explore your destination.

Why It’s Useful

An empty reusable bag can come in handy in a variety of scenarios. Let’s say you go on a hike through muddy trails all day. After the hike, you can put your dirty boots in the reusable bag to keep them separate from the rest of your luggage. When you pack up your luggage at the end of the trip, the bag will protect your clothes from getting dirt all over them. Similarly, you can also use the bag to separate dirty clothes from clean clothes in your suitcase — or even as a portable hamper if you need to do laundry during your trip.

Reusable bags are also great for a beach day. Rather than getting a backpack or expensive purse all sandy, take the reusable grocery bag instead. Use it to carry a speaker, sandals, sunscreen — anything you may need for a relaxing day of basking in the sun. When you get back to the room, you can clean it out or simply toss it.

And don’t forget what reusable grocery bags are meant for: shopping. Whether you’re going grocery shopping to stock the hotel mini-fridge, or looking for a couple of souvenirs to bring back home, bringing a reusable bag will make it easy, and you won’t have to worry about paying extra for a bag at the store. As an added benefit, carrying around a reusable bag may help you blend in with the locals instead of attracting the attention of pickpockets with a typical tourist backpack or a shopping bag from a luxury store.

The best part? Even if you don’t end up using the reusable shopping bag during your trip, it takes up hardly any space in your luggage. On the other hand, you may find it so useful that you end up packing one on every trip.

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