This tip is so easy, maybe everyone already does it. Don't worry about buying chip and bag clips, use clothes pins! I use clothes pins to seal any bag I need to, from pasta and rice to chips and such. Much cheaper, they don't take up much room, and so handy to use!
We've been doing this for years now. We also use rubber bands to keep chips and such closed. My kids used to call them "snack straps" and thought it was funny that someone was using them around the morning newspaper LOL
I now use rubber bands that I buy from the dollar store in large packages of assorted sizes, colors and strengths. I like them better than the clothes pins and package clips that I was using, as they make for a more compact and easier to store package. Also easier for grandchildren's fingers to close with rubber bands.
I don't use clothes pins because the opposite end sticking up there is always getting knocked around. Instead I bought a couple of boxes of these black paper clip things. They come in a range of sizes. I use them for clipping my bags shut. I keep a bucket of them handy because I use them for so many things. Including clipping back the curtains when I put a fan in the window. I couldn't list all the things I use them for.
I use clothes pins also for keeping the cello bag inside the cereal box from spilling out as I store my cereal box on the side and those flaps on top aren't too reliable. What did we do before clip clothes pins?? haha
Right before school started, several teens stopped by the house on a scavenger hunt. They needed a clothespin but had no idea what a clothespin was. Made me feel old, old, old :)
Here's another idea for closing bags ... It depends on the material whether it works or not (plastic, cellophane, paper, etc.) ... I've found it works more often than not and 'won't need to use a clip at all' :-)
I tried writing out an easily understandable explanation but wasn't doing well at it so decided to see if there was a post anywhere on a google search showing how to do it and, yep, there's a visual on YouTube :-) Here's the link:
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Tip: Use Clothes Pins for Chip Clips
Archived on 08/29/2008
Instead of spending any money at all on those cutesy little clips for closing potato chip bags and other bags, I use plain ol' clothespins, the kind with a spring. I've even been known to spray paint 'em in bright colors if they're going to be in plain sight. You probably already have a clothespin-bag full of them at home. :)
By Jan from Champaign, IL
Feedback:
RE: Use Clothes Pins for Chip Clips
I also use them to close bags od frozen veggies from the super market when I don't use the whole bags. They are also good for hanging pants and long skirts in the closet so you don't get a "broken leg" crease and have to press before wearing. Having broken a fortune in bought chip clippers I much prefer the clothespins. (01/28/2008)
Hi Jan...
I live in Urbana
nice to see someone closer to me on here (01/28/2008)
By suzanne
RE: Use Clothes Pins for Chip Clips
I use clothespins in the kitchen for everything. If it's an opened bag, it's definitely held shut with a clothespin - much quicker and less annoying than twist-ties and cheaper than commercial bag clips. When it breaks, hey, I've got 49 more. (01/29/2008)
