I need a diplomatic soltuion to a little problem

[Tonchi]

I, too, have been known to reuse ziploc bags, even washing them. Drying is definitely a problem, though.

I can help you on this one. First of all, it's only worth it to save the Ziplock and freezer storage ones, the others are too thin to mess with. Do not use hot water to wash the bags, it makes them turn milky colored. Wash inside and out with a soapy sponge and rinse carefully to get all the soap out, dry by putting a clean dishtowel inside the bag and pat the outside against it with a second clean towel. Then stand them upside down on the counter until they cool and air out thoroughly. Doing the bags last thing before you go to bed is best so they don't end up in the way when you need the counter to fix dinner.

Lest you wonder, I learned this from my o/c Momster, but if I do say so myself, MY bags look much better than hers when I get finished :p I will draw the line at washing the rubber bands from the newspaper before I'll use them, though. She puts hers in the dishwasher so they will be sterilized! And yes, she gets a Kleenex and wipes off the newspaper too before she will read it. I just wash my hands afterwards, good enough.