How To Use THE KEEPER
We have a range of unique fabrics in The Keeper brand, the information below will help you choose which fabric is best for your shopping needs. For more info see our blog or contact us for a copy of our uses chart.
We are all keepers of the earth.
Below is a chart of bag use by weave for storing fresh produce. Of course all our bags can be use for shopping or multiple other uses. Each weave is unique but all are certified organic cotton or natural fibre blends - like our jute-cotton.
Diamond is our signature style of organic cotton weave and unique to The Keeper. Lighter than mesh or muslin yet stretchy and strong, just like you after a few serious yoga sessions!
Ideal for leafy greens but can be used for any fresh produce. Use to buy & store.
These amazing bags replace single use plastic, paper and nylon/recycled PET bags - without adding micro-plastics to the environment.
Our range comprises of two styles of Diamond Bags: Carry Bags and Drawstring Bags.
Designed to be lightweight and elegant our Diamond Drawstring range comes in different sizes and styles. Choose from natural unbleached cotton or plant dyed, voile backed 3 packs or our pure diamond multi size 4 packs. How many 'carats' would you like?
While our Diamond Carry Bags are great for larger quantities or as a light tote bag. Use for shopping, produce storage and much more. The fabric stretches in both directions allowing plenty of room for your purchases. They fold or scrunch (which are you?) into a compact size to keep in your back pocket, handbag or tote pocket for when you need them.
Diamond Weave Bags are best for buying and storing:
- Loose leaf greens, lettuce, spinach, silver beat, green beans or any greens that wilt. Store in the bag for up to 10 days. See instructions below.
- Soft seasonal fruit like peaches, plums, pears, tomatoes, avocados or delicate skinned fruits and vegetables - hang them up in the bag, store in the fridge or fruit bowl.
- Mushrooms and light pricy per kilo items, because the bags are light.
- In the bulk food section: seeds, whole grains, nuts, legumes and also chocolate, dried fruit or other items. Royal or large white Quinoa will stay in the bag but not smaller grains like red quinoa or amaranth. Sunflower seeds are fine but sesame may leak out. Use a muslin bag for finer items.
- They are also great for any fruit and veggies you want to keep in the fridge or fruit bowl with their visibility.
The Keeper String bags are a true classic. In fact it is one of the oldest styles of bag with strong roots in many nations. Such as the Aussie Dilly Bag. Our favorite name is the Russian "perhaps bag" because there is always a perhaps purchase to be found - this is the bag for those perhapses.
We also have the Kids Mini String Bags, which are a softer and more delicate weave, appealing to kids sense of touch.
Our natural dyed string bags bring a touch of elegance to the string bag. We only use natural plant based dyes, which adds a quality to this bag that cannot be felt using chemical dying. The short handle string bag is for those wanting to carry by the handles. While the long handle string bag can be carried thusly by longer legged shoppers or over the shoulder.
- Bulky and heavy fruits and veggies like apples, oranges, potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato or other root veggies.
- Using as a shopping bag to place other bags of product into it at the register or farmers market.
- As an everyday out and about bag, beach or pool bag.
Kids Mini String Bags are great for:
- A wonderful gift bag to give a present in.
- The perfect library or kinder bag
- Helping with the shopping and selecting their favorite fruits and vegetables
SATCHEL BAG
Our Satchel is as versatile as you are, with a carry handle on the top as well as drawstring straps - it can be carried or worn as a backpack.
Plant dyed in natural tones with brass zippers and studs it makes an elegant 100% plastic free companion when shopping locally or out and about.
- Using as a shopping bag to place other bags of product into it at the register or farmers market.
- As an everyday out and about bag, beach or pool bag.
- For an active shopper on the go who may bike or walk to the shops to buy a few items at a time
JUTE & ORGANIC COTTON TOTE BAG
Once you have used our Eddie Tote you will understand our infatuation. With 6 internal pockets and a durable Jute-Cotton blend of fabric, our tote has been built to last. Take it shopping, to the beach or park, use as a nappy bag or stuff it full for a picnic. The versatility of our tote is unparalleled.
The unique combination of Jute and Organic Cotton gives the bag strength, stability and an appearance that is appealing to all genders and ages.
- Using as a shopping bag to place other bags of product into it at the register or farmers market.
- As an everyday out and about bag, beach or pool bag, nappy bag or work bag.
- For all your shopping needs, the pockets make it easy to sort and store items at the shops.
- For a family or bulk shopper who likes to stock up and have a bag that can handle it, in style
MESH BAGS
The Keeper Mesh Weave bags are a traditional loose mesh weave. Perfect for those who like to see what is in the bag. The loose weave allows visibility and air flow. Take to the shops to buy and store. Particularly good for soft fruits and avos.
You can also lay your large mesh bag flat on a bench or fruit bowl, and placing the produce on top, preventing bruising which can spread through the remaining fruit very quickly.
In the refrigerator, you can store peaches, pears, apples, oranges, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, carrots, as well as most thick-skinned items.- Soft seasonal fruit like peaches, plums, pears, tomatoes, avocados or delicate skinned fruits and vegetables - hang them up in the bag, store in the fridge or fruit bowl.
- Bulky and heavy fruits and veggies like carrots, apples, oranges, potatoes, pieces of pumpkin, sweet potato or other root veggies.
- The large size is great for big veggies like cauliflower, broccoli and kale.
- The smaller sizes are good for any produce because they are still a decent size to fit a lot of carrots or cucumbers or other produce
MUSLIN BAGS
The Keeper Muslin Weave bags are perfect for root veggies and hardier produce that need more moisture. To keep carrots crunchy: buy in the bag wash in the bag and store in the fridge in the damp bag. Can also be used for bulk seeds, nuts and other goodies.
Muslin Bags are best for buying and storing
- Herbs and leafy items that need moisture to stay fresh. Also root veggies like carrots that prefer a damp environment like the soil they grow in.
- Wet the bag before you pop it in the fridge so it is damp and the herbs or root veggies can use that moisture and not dry out.
- Bulky and heavy fruits and veggies like carrots, apples, oranges, potatoes, pieces of pumpkin, sweet potato or other root veggies.
- The large size is great for big veggies like cauliflower, broccoli and kale.
- The smaller sizes are good for any produce because they are still a decent size to fit a lot of carrots or cucumbers or other produce
- Bulk food shopping for fine items like spices, flours and seeds or any other items you may want.
- You can keep different flours in one large flour bin, one kind each in a muslin bag. Label the bags if you like to keep it organised, and to know when you are out of a particular kind of flour.
- Other uses include: camping, storing children's toys, shoes and travel bags.
POTATO, ONION & GARLIC BAGS
Why keep your spuds in the dark? Because they are happiest that way! Our potato bag has been designed to keep your spuds in elegance and organic style. Our sturdy Organic Cotton and Jute blend is paired with plant dyed soft muslin and wood toggles.
The Keeper Onion Bag has been designed to keep your alliums fresh and happy. The base is a sturdy Organic Cotton & Jute blend while the top half is a mix of airy mesh and plant dyed muslin. We use wood toggles not plastic to finish it in elegance.
Our Garlic Bag is a mini version of our onion bag and was created to complete your Pantry Trio. Paired with our Onion and Potato bags in the pantry or use it in the fridge on its own. Great for garlic, ginger, turmeric, ginseng or other hardy 'root spices', bulbs & rhizomes. Plus its just so cute.
- You can store all varieties of potatoes and sweet potatoes, hard whole squashes like pumpkin, gem squash or gourds.
- Any hard skinned fruit or vegetable that needs to be kept dark and cool for longer storing.
- Apples and oranges, freshly harvested and never refrigerated, will keep longer in the potato bag if you want to keep them out of the fridge.
- You can store all varieties of onions, eschalots or French shallots, garlic and other allium bulbs.
- Thick skinned (not young) ginger, ginseng, horseradish, turmeric, lotus roots and other rhizomes.
- Any hard skinned fruit or vegetable that needs to be kept dark and cool but wants a little air, for longer storing.
- Can be used in or out of the fridge.
- Apples and oranges, freshly harvested and never refrigerated, will keep longer in the onion bag if you want to keep them out of the fridge.
SHOP THE ONION BAG SHOP THE GARLIC BAG
NUT MILK BAG
The Keeper Nut Milk bag has been designed to make the most amazing plant based milks a breeze. Can be used for nut milk, oat, rice or soy. It can also be used for making cheese or straining kefir, broth kombucha or other home made goodies.
To make fresh nut milk:
Activate your Nuts
Soak ½ cup raw almonds or other nuts in 1 cup of water overnight. Roasted nuts won't activate but they will soften.
Blend
Drain your soaked nuts and place in a blender with 2 cups of fresh water. Add a pinch of salt and sweetener (optional). Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth, scraping down as needed.
Strain
Place your Keeper Nut Milk bag in a glass, bowl or jar and pour your blended mixture into it. Squeeze the bag until you have extracted all of the milk and the sodilds are dry. Makes 500ml. Store your fresh nut milk in the fridge in a sealed jar or bottle and use within 3-5 days.
We love a roasted almond & oat milk, but you can use any combo of nuts, seeds or grains. Scale up the recipe for a larger batch.
WAXED BAGS
Mushroom Bag
Designed to keep all kinds of lovely mushies fresher for longer, our Keeper Mushroom Bag is made from organic muslin with a waxed top collar to fold over and securely seal the bag. . Keeping in just enough moisture but letting them breath. It comes with a second fine voile bag to buy your shrooms in.
Bread Bag
A one of a kind fully waxed bag designed to keep bread and baked goods fresh without plastic. The wax infused organic cotton stops your bread drying out, as in paper, or sweating in plastic. Take it to the bakery to buy and store your bread - on bench, fridge or freezer. Also a great freezer bag!
Lunch Bag
A mini version of our waxed bread bag pressed with real petals. The wax infused organic cotton seals itself like a wax wrap but being a bag makes it so much more convenient to use daily. Great for adults or kids with it's easy usability. Perfect for picnics or corporate lunches. Use as a freezer bag instead of plastic zip-locks