I’m working on reaching out to national retailers to find out why they do or do not offer a credit when a customer brings a reusable bag. As soon as I’ve got more information on that, I’ll write a new post and hopefully come up with a comprehensive list of stores that do rewards shoppers who bring their own bags.

In the meantime I found this form letter on Reusablebags.com you can use to send to your favorite retailer to encourage them to give customers a bag credit.

According to this post, Costco gives a bag credit, something I did not know.

So, let me get this straight–at Costco you can pack your groceries in their boxes for free but if you bring bags, you save money? Wish BJs did that! (That’s where I’m a member.)

Stay tuned.

Recently, I sent my husband out to get some cleaning products for the house, and he came home with something unexpected–microfiber cloths. While we have quite a stash of rags from old t-shirts, sheets and cloth napkins, my husband thought it would be wise for us to invest in microfiber cloths, even though the rags we already own are free. After using these microfiber cloths for quite sometime, though, I have to say that my husband is a frugal genius.

One of the great things about microfiber cloths is that they can be washed and used repeatedly. Here are some uses we’ve discovered for them:

* Clean Mac/Apple electonics screens. When I had to take my MacBook in for a checkup last week, I asked the Mac Genius I was working with about the best way to clean my laptop’s screen. She told me no Windex or alcohol, but water and a microfiber cloth would do the trick. (She also suggested the iKlear spray but they were sold out.) While the microfiber cloths do a better job than my recycled paper towels (that is paper towels made from 100% post-consumer content paper), I can still see some of the fingerprints on the screen. But it’s way better than it was. I understand that you can use these microfiber cloths on other smooth-screen Apple electronics. (I wish the MacBooks still had the matte finish screen–those never showed fingerprints.) I’ll probably try the microfiber cloths on our flat-screen TVs, too.

* Replace Swiffer-like dusting cloths. When I was selling my house and had to keep my home “show ready” 24/7, my Swiffer Sweeper dry-dusting mop was my best friend. It was a great way to do a quick touch-up on my floors without hauling out my vacuum cleaner or getting down and dirty with the broom. But as you know Swiffer cloths are disposable, which means that you have to pay to replace them. If you’re like me and trying to not only cut down on costs but also to cut down on your trash, then you should consider trying microfiber cloths with your Swiffer mop. (I use a pencil’s point to push the cloth in to the mop’s head.) This is a tip I picked up from the author of Clean Your Home Healthy. You can also read an “ode to microfiber cloths” in this Mother Load blog posting.

Here’s an entire blog devoted to microfiber cloths. Granted, it’s linked to a company that sells these cloths, but it does have some clever ideas on it.

Given the resourcefulness of microfiber cloths, I’m giving them this week’s Suddenly Frugal Seal of Approval.

If you’ve discovered additional uses for microfiber cloths, please let me know by posting a comment.