Cloth Bread Bags for Fresher, Plastic-Free Storage
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3 different sized bags
There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh-baked bread cooling on the counter. Whether it’s a warm loaf of sourdough, a soft sandwich bread, or a rustic country loaf, homemade bread always feels like a little slice of simple living. But once that bread has cooled and you’ve sliced into it, the next challenge arises — how to store it.
For years, I wrapped my bread in plastic wrap, slipped it into plastic storage bags, or tucked it away in a plastic container. But as I’ve slowly moved toward reducing my reliance on plastic, I knew there had to be a better way. Enter: cloth bread bags — a simple, sustainable solution that keeps your bread fresh without the waste.
In this post, I’ll share with you why cloth bread bags are a game-changer, how to use them, and, best of all — how to make your own!
Why Use Cloth Bread Bags?
Switching to cloth bread bags has so many benefits — not only for your bread but also for your home and the environment. Here’s why I love them:
1. Keeps Bread Fresh Without Plastic
While plastic traps moisture, which can quickly lead to mold, cloth bread bags allow your bread to breathe. This helps maintain the crust’s crispness while keeping the inside soft. If you love rustic loaves with that crackly, crunchy crust, a cloth bag will help preserve that texture far better than plastic ever could.
For softer sandwich breads, you can still use a cloth bag, but you’ll want to place the bag inside a bread box or container to help maintain softness. You can also freeze your loaves in bread bags. I recommend wrapping them in a paper bag and then putting them inside your bread bag. This helps protect against freezer burn and is good for about 3 months.
2. Reduces Plastic Waste
If you’ve been trying to cut down on single-use plastics in your home, switching to cloth bread bags is a small but impactful change. No more reaching for plastic wrap or disposable bread bags — just reusable fabric that’s easy to wash and use again.
3. Breathable and Naturally Antibacterial
Natural fibers like cotton and linen have breathable properties that help prevent mold growth. They allow air circulation around the bread, keeping the crust crisp and slowing down the staleness process.
4. Adds Beauty and Charm to Your Kitchen
There’s just something about a loaf of homemade bread wrapped in a charming cloth bag that makes your kitchen feel extra cozy. Whether you use vintage flour sack towels, repurposed fabric, or pretty linen prints, your cloth bread bags will become both a practical and aesthetic part of your home. If you don’t want to make your own bags here are some links to purchase bags online: Bread bags 1, Bread Bags 2, Bread Bags 3.
What Types of Fabric Work Best for Bread Bags?
The key to a good bread bag is breathability. The best fabrics to use are:
100% Cotton: Soft, easy to work with, and breathable. Flour sack towels, old cotton sheets, or muslin cloths work beautifully.
Linen: Linen is a natural, breathable fabric that’s known for keeping bread fresher longer. Linen bread bags have been used in European kitchens for centuries.
Upcycled Fabric: Have old pillowcases, tea towels, or cotton tablecloths lying around? Upcycle them into bread bags! This is a great way to give new life to fabric you already have.
Links to online fabric stores: Online Fabric Store, Fabric Depot, Fabric Wholesale Direct, & Fabric Mart
How to Use a Cloth Bread Bag
Before we jump into making one, let’s talk about how to use it:
Let your bread cool completely before storing it in the bag. Placing warm bread in a cloth bag will cause condensation, making it stale or moldy faster.
Place your bread in the bag and loosely roll or tie the top to close it.
Store on the counter for up to 3 days or in a bread box for softer loaves.
Wash your cloth bag every few uses to keep it fresh.
How to Make Your Own Cloth Bread Bag (Step-by-Step)
Ready to make your own bread bag? This simple project can be finished in under 30 minutes — no advanced sewing skills required!
Cotton fabric
What You’ll Need:
1 piece of cotton, linen, or muslin fabric (see links above or hit a thrift store)
Matching thread or not!
Sewing machine (or you can hand sew if preferred)
Ribbon, Shoe string, etc for closing bag (I typically use whatever I can find)
Cut Fabric
Step 1: Cut Your Fabric
Cut your fabric to roughly 20 inches wide by 30 inches long. This size makes a large bread bag. I have scaled them down to the scraps I have or loaf size.
Step 2: Fold and Sew the Side Seam
Fold your fabric in half lengthwise, with the right sides (pretty side) of the fabric facing each other.
Pin or clip the sides together.
Sew along one short edge (this will be the bottom of the bag) and along the long edge, leaving the top open.
If you have a serger, serge the raw edges to prevent fraying. If not, you can use a zigzag stitch or pinking shears.
Step 3: Hem the Top Edge
Fold the open top edge of the bag down about 1/2 inch and press with an iron.
Fold it again another 1/2 inch to create a clean hem.
Sew around the hem to secure it. This will prevent fraying and give the bag a polished look.
Top pressed and ready to sew
Step 4: Turn the Bag Right Side Out
Flip your bag inside out so the seams are hidden. You now have a simple, sturdy cloth bread bag!
I used a safety pin and ran a ribbon through for the drawstring.
Optional: Add a Drawstring or Tie
If you’d like to make a drawstring closure:
Fold the top of the bag down 1 inch (instead of 1/2 inch).
Sew close to the edge, leaving a small gap for a drawstring.
Thread a piece of cotton twine, ribbon, or a shoelace through the channel using a safety pin.
Tie the ends to create a drawstring closure.
Care Instructions
Caring for your cloth bread bag is easy:
Shake out any crumbs after each use.
Wash the bag once every few uses with mild soap and warm water.
Air dry or tumble dry on low.
If you used linen, a quick iron after washing will keep it crisp.
Bonus Tip: Use Your Bread Bag for Produce, Too!
One of my favorite discoveries after making my cloth bread bags was how versatile they are. They work beautifully for:
Produce bags at the grocery store or farmer’s market.
Storing onions, garlic, or potatoes in your pantry.
Packing snacks or sandwiches for a picnic or lunchbox.
Why This Small Change Matters
Switching to cloth bread bags may feel like a small change — but it’s the small changes that add up. Every time you skip plastic wrap, a Ziploc bag, or a plastic bread bag, you’re reducing waste in your home.
And beyond that — there’s just something special about pulling a loaf of fresh-baked bread out of a handmade cloth bag. It feels old-fashioned in the best kind of way — like you’ve slowed down just a bit and embraced the beauty of simple living.
So the next time you pull a warm loaf from the oven, consider making a beautiful cloth bread bag to store it in. It’s one small, sustainable swap that makes your home feel a little cozier — and the world a little less wasteful.
👉 Have you tried making your own cloth bread bags? Or do you have a favorite method for keeping homemade bread fresh? Share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear from you!
Hope you are getting some lovely spring weather,
Roxanne
3 sizes of bags
