Tedlar bags are used worldwide for the temporary storage of air and gas samples in applications such as odor research, emission measurements, and environmental analysis. A frequently asked question is: Are Tedlar bags reusable?
Reuse is possible, but with important considerations
Although Tedlar gas sampling bags can theoretically be reused, this is only recommended under strict conditions. After each use, residues from the previous sample may remain inside the bag or its fitting. These residues can affect the next sample — which is obviously undesirable in accurate air or odor sampling.
Cleaning Tedlar bags is possible, but completely removing all traces of VOCs or other components requires specialized equipment and expertise. That’s why we generally recommend using Tedlar bags only once to ensure maximum reliability.
When not to reuse Tedlar bags
When analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low concentrations:
Even minimal cross-contamination from a previous sample can lead to inaccurate results. Well-cleaned bags may still contain traces that interfere with sensitive measurements.
- For legally regulated or certified measurements:
In official testing (such as emission studies under EN 13725 or EPA methods), new, clean bags are mandatory to meet the required standards for sample integrity and traceability. - When sampling reactive or sticky substances:
Some substances (such as sulfur compounds, ammonia, or aromatic hydrocarbons) may adhere to the inner surface or chemically interact with the Tedlar film, contaminating or even neutralizing the next sample. - In odor testing and olfactometry:
For odor sampling (e.g. in olfactometric studies under EN 13725), absolute purity is crucial. Residual odors from a previous sample can heavily distort the results, making reuse unacceptable. - When the bag shows signs of aging or damage:
Tedlar bags degrade over time due to exposure to light, temperature, or gas pressure. Cracks, leaks, or loss of flexibility can compromise sample integrity or allow external contamination.
When reuse may be considered
- For internal quality checks where absolute accuracy is less critical
- When sampling the same gas type repeatedly
- If you have a reliable cleaning protocol and equipment
We explain how to clean Tedlar bags in our next blog: How to Clean Tedlar Bags
Recommendation: Use a new Tedlar bag for each sample
For accurate and reproducible analysis, we strongly recommend using new Tedlar bags for every sample. This helps you avoid contamination, distorted results, and unnecessary measurement uncertainty.
🔗 View our full range of Tedlar bags for air sampling here:
