So, are these scented trash bags worth your money? After a month of testing, I can give you a straight answer.

For most households, the scented glad 13 gallon trash bag is a solid buy, but it's not for everyone.

You'll love its impressive durability and the pleasant scent that tackles kitchen odors. However, you do pay a bit more for these features compared to unscented options. This review will help you decide if the extra cost makes sense for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Glad 13-gallon trash bags are very strong. They resist punctures and leaks well. They handle heavy trash without breaking.

• These bags have a strong scent. The scent helps with odors. Some people might find the smell too strong.

• Glad bags cost more than other brands. You pay extra for their strength and scent. Unscented bags are cheaper.

• Consider unscented bags if you dislike strong smells. You can also choose eco-friendly compostable bags for a greener option.

STRENGTH OF THE GLAD 13 GALLON TRASH BAG

When you buy a trash bag, you have one simple expectation: it needs to hold your trash without breaking. A ripped bag is a messy disaster nobody wants to clean up. So, how does the glad 13 gallon trash bag hold up under pressure? Let's dive into its strength.

PUNCTURE RESISTANCE

I decided to put these bags to a real-world test. I stuffed one with all the usual kitchen culprits: pointy-edged pasta boxes, sharp plastic packaging from chicken, and even a broken ceramic mug. The bag’s unique diamond texture is designed to stretch and flex around awkward objects.

Glad uses a multi-layer plastic made from an HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) blend, which gives it flexibility. The plastic film itself is 0.78 mil thick. For the most part, it held up well. The bag stretched around the corners of a cereal box instead of instantly tearing.

However, it's important to note that experiences can vary. While many people find the ForceFlex technology to be a lifesaver, some reviews tell a different story. In fact, one test from Consumer Reports found it was among the 'worst performers' for puncture resistance when tested with specialized tools. So, while it handles bulky trash well, you should still be careful with extremely sharp items like broken glass.

LEAK PROTECTION

Nothing is worse than the dreaded "trash juice" leaking onto your kitchen floor. To test for leaks, I tossed in wet coffee grounds, soggy leftovers, and the remnants of a watermelon. I let the bag sit for a day before taking it out. When I lifted it, I was relieved to see the floor underneath was completely dry. The seams at the bottom held strong, preventing any liquid from escaping. For everyday wet kitchen waste, you can feel confident that this bag will keep the mess contained.

DRAWSTRING DURABILITY

A strong bag is useless if the drawstring snaps when you lift it. I filled a glad 13 gallon trash bag with heavy items like old magazines and canned goods until it was almost overflowing. I grabbed the red drawstrings, braced myself, and lifted. They stretched slightly but didn't break or tear away from the bag. The trip to the outside bin was a success, with no drama involved.

Of course, Glad isn't the only player in the game. How does it stack up against others?

Glad bags, particularly the ForceFlex and ForceFlex Plus lines, consistently rank among the strongest trash bags available. Their unique diamond texture allows them to stretch significantly without tearing, making them highly resistant to punctures and rips even with irregular or heavy loads.

Overall, the strength is a major selling point. You can trust it to handle the demands of a busy kitchen without making a mess.

SCENT AND ODOR CONTROL

Let's talk about the main reason you'd buy these bags over the plain ones: the scent. Glad partners with popular brands like Febreze, Gain, and Pine-Sol to infuse their bags with familiar fragrances. The goal is to keep your kitchen smelling fresh, not like last night's fish dinner. But does it actually work, or is it just a gimmick? This is where opinions get really divided.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The moment you pull a bag from the box, you get a powerful whoosh of fragrance. I tested the Febreze Fresh Lemon scent, and it was bright and citrusy—no doubt about it. It's strong enough that you don't even need an air freshener near your trash can for the first day or so.

However, this initial strength is a classic "love it or hate it" feature.

For some, it's a breath of fresh air that makes a chore a little more pleasant. For others, it's an overwhelming, artificial smell. If you or someone in your family is sensitive to strong perfumes, you'll want to be cautious.

ODOR MASKING EFFECTIVENESS

So, the bag smells nice on its own. But what happens when you introduce the main event: garbage? 🗑️ This is where the glad 13 gallon trash bag faces its biggest challenge. Does the scent neutralize bad odors, or just mix with them?

Honestly, it's a bit of both. For mild odors like vegetable peels or paper waste, the Febreze scent easily won, keeping the area around my bin smelling like lemon. But when I threw in some onion scraps and leftover takeout, the result was more of a strange mix—part lemon, part onion. It didn't create a horrible new smell, but it didn't completely eliminate the garbage odor either.

This seems to be a common experience, and many users have strong feelings about it. Here's what you'll often find people saying:

• The scent is so overpowering it creates an unpleasant mixture, like "cheap perfume mixed with garbage."

• Some find the fragrance nauseating and say it makes their kitchen smell worse.

• The scent can be so strong that it fills the entire kitchen or even drifts into other rooms.

• A few people mention that the strong artificial scent can trigger headaches or allergic reactions.

SCENT LONGEVITY

How long does that fresh scent actually last? In my experience, the fragrance is at its peak for the first 24-48 hours. After that, it begins to fade.

By day three, the scent is much more subtle. It's still there, but it's not actively projecting into the room. This can actually be a good thing. As the initial blast of perfume wears off, the bag relies more on its odor-neutralizing technology, which does a decent job of containing smells inside the bag. So, while you lose the room-freshening effect, you still get solid odor control right up until you take the trash out.

PRICE AND OVERALL VALUE

Strength and scent are great, but let's talk about what really matters to your wallet: the price. Are you getting a good deal, or just paying for a brand name and a fancy smell? Let's break down the cost to see if it makes sense for your budget.

COST COMPARISON

You will definitely notice that Glad bags sit at a higher price point. When you compare them to other major competitors like Hefty, the prices are often similar. The real difference appears when you look at generic store brands.

For example, a box of Glad ForceFlex bags might cost you over $15. In contrast, a store-brand option from a retailer like Walmart could be less than half that price for a similar number of bags.

So, what are you paying for? You're paying for the advanced ForceFlex technology, the multi-layer plastic, and the brand-name fragrance. You have to decide if those features are worth the extra cash.

SCENTED VS. UNSCENTED

The biggest price jump comes from the scent itself. An unscented glad 13 gallon trash bag will almost always be cheaper than its scented counterpart. The question you need to ask yourself is simple: how much do you value odor control?

If you take your trash out daily or rarely have smelly items, the extra cost for a scented bag might feel like a waste. But if you want to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and push back against garbage odors, paying a little more for that Febreze or Gain fragrance could be a worthwhile investment for you.

A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE: ECOLIPAK

If you're looking for a different kind of value, you might want to consider an eco-friendly choice. For those who prioritize sustainability, Ecolipak's Compostable Trash Bags are a fantastic option.

These bags offer a great way to reduce your environmental impact without giving up performance. They are made from a robust, heavy-duty material designed to be tear-resistant and prevent leaks, so you can feel confident using them for your kitchen waste. Made from sustainable materials like polylactic acid, they are 100% compostable. This means they break down naturally, helping you protect the planet. If you want to make a greener choice, remember: Green Pack, Go for ECOLipak.

So, what's the final word? Glad's scented bags deliver on their promise of strength, keeping your trash contained without messy rips or leaks. The scent does a decent job of fighting odors, though it can be strong at first.

If you need a tough, tear-resistant bag and want to keep your kitchen smelling fresh, these are an excellent choice for you. 🍋

However, you might want to skip them if you are sensitive to fragrances. If you're looking for a more sustainable option, you might be happier with an unscented bag or an eco-friendly choice like compostable bags.

FAQ

### Are the scents safe for pets and kids?

The fragrances are generally safe for household use. However, some pets and people can be sensitive to strong smells. You might want to choose an unscented bag if anyone in your home has allergies or asthma. It's always best to be cautious.

### Do these bags fit all 13-gallon cans?

Yes, you should find they fit most standard 13-gallon kitchen trash cans perfectly. The Glad bags have a bit of stretch, which helps them grip the rim of the can without slipping down. This makes them a reliable fit for your kitchen.

### Can I recycle these Glad bags? ♻️

No, you cannot place these plastic trash bags in your curbside recycling bin. They can jam the machinery at recycling facilities. You should always check your local rules for proper plastic bag disposal, as some grocery stores offer special collection programs.

### What if I want a strong bag but without the scent?

You have great options! Glad offers unscented versions that provide the same ForceFlex strength. If you also want an eco-friendly choice, you can try Ecolipak's Compostable Trash Bags. They are durable, tear-resistant, and better for the planet.