Frequently Asked Questions

Zip Top containers are pure platinum-cured silicone ("platinum silicone" for short), the highest grade available that passes U.S. and European safety standards. It is food safe, microwave safe, freezer safe, and dishwasher safe. Other products may claim that their product is "food safe" but unless it is pure platinum silicone, you should be cautious of how it can be safely used.

Yes, at specific silicone recyclers. We are also working on a "take back" program where we will take back used Zip Top containers for a new upcycling program. All of our packaging is also recyclable.

Yes, Zip Top containers are completely freezer safe. Our thick silicone will not get brittle from freezing it frequently. Unlike plastic baggies, Zip Top containers are a one-piece design that won't tear or burst in the freezer.

Most foods will not stain your Zip Top containers. There are a few foods, however, which can stain pure silicone such as tomato sauce, curries, watermelon, cooked carrots and other red/orange foods.

Try rubbing with a baking soda and water mixture and let sit for 4 hours. Rinse well and then wash as usual.

Food grade silicone is nonporous which inhibits bacterial growth and odors. However, some foods or dishwasher detergents can retain an odor.

For dishwasher detergents, It is best to choose dishwasher soap or detergents that do not contain essential oils, antibacterial agents or moisturizers. Gentler, more natural dishwasher soap/detergents work best to clean Zip Top containers, especially ones that are scent free. 

For food odors, try rubbing with a baking soda and water mixture and let sit for 4 hours. Rinse well and then wash as usual.

Zip Top containers seal differently than traditional plastic zippered baggies which have tiny, hard, flat plastic zippers. Zip Top containers have large, soft, rounded zippers that flex. Because of this, your containers may, at times, leak a small amount of air if squeezed. In addition, once sealed, because of the pull of the wide, rounded opening, air will sometimes want to seep back in. If so, the small amount of air in your Zip Top will act like air trapped in a typical lidded container.

Zip Top containers are designed to hold liquids upright in a kitchen environment. This is why every container says on the back to “keep liquids upright" (which is simple since all Zip Top containers stand up due to their sturdy flat bases).  When kept upright, Zip Top containers are completely leak proof.  Zip Top containers were never designed, for instance, to fill with water and hold upside down or for taking liquids on the go.

Zip Top containers are not designed for taking liquids on the go. Just like you would typically not take soup in a plastic zippered bag in your backpack, Zip Top containers are designed to hold liquids in a kitchen environment. This is why every container says on the back to “keep liquids upright” (which is simple since all Zip Top containers stand up due to their sturdy flat bases). Zip Top containers are wonderful on the go for leftovers, sandwiches, dry snacks, veggies, fruit, nuts, etc.

In general, no. Because of the flexibility of silicone, they are durable and malleable when sealed. However, as stated in this FAQ, we recommend liquids be kept upright to be safe.

We do not recommend completely submerging Zip Top containers in water for sous vide or other applications. Due to the flexible zipper seal, some water may, at times, seep into a fully submerged bag. However, Zip Top containers are great for steaming and cooking where the zipper seal may fully or partially be left open while heating.

Yes, orders over $49 which are shipping to the United States (except Alaska and Hawaii) qualify for free shipping.  Orders shipping outside of the US are not eligible for free shipping.  

We want you to love your Zip Top purchase! If your selection does not meet your satisfaction, we will gladly exchange or refund your purchase, excluding delivery charges.

Products can be exchanged or returned within 30 days of receipt if they are in new, unused condition and in the original packaging.  To initiate a return or exchange, go to https://ziptop.happyreturns.com/ and enter your order number and zip code. If you have questions about your return you can contact our Customer Support at support@ziptop.com.

After the item has been returned and approved, the refund or exchange is typically processed within 3-5 business days. Refunds for items purchased at ziptop.com will be issued in the original form of payment for the amount paid for the item plus any applicable taxes collected.

Items purchased at an authorized Zip Top retailer should be returned directly to the store where they were purchased.

Due to regulatory and trade restrictions resulting from the current COVID-19 epidemic, we are only currently shipping to the United States. However, there are options for purchasing Zip Top outside the US:

• Canadian customers can purchase at our Zip Top Canada Amazon store.
• New Zealand customers can purchase at our Zip Top New Zealand store.
• Australian customers can purchase at our Zip Top Australia store.
• For other countries outside of the US, you may be able to purchase from our Zip Top Amazon store and have it shipped to you in your country.

If you sign up for our email newsletter, we will notify you when additional purchasing options become available in your country.

Zip Top containers are made from 100% platinum silicone, the highest grade of silicone available. This is the same material from which medical devices are made and is the safest food grade possible. It is also the most expensive silicone to produce. 

The silicone we use to manufacture Zip Top containers is Made in the USA where we can ensure its purity.  No other silicone zipper containers can make this claim. Many of the silicone products seen online or in stores are made outside of the United States from lower grade silicones. These silicones often have fillers or impurities that can make them unsafe or unsuitable for food contact. Even companies advertising "food grade" are often shipping substandard silicone.

To make matters worse, many of the sites purporting to sell zipper containers at significant discounts are selling unsafe counterfeit knock-offs.  Some of these sites are only trying to capture your credit cards and never ship any product. We address these counterfeit sites in this article. 

When you consider the thousands of single-use plastic bags that one Zip Top container can replace, along with all of the health and environmental benefits that plastic-free, 100% platinum silicone offers, we think that Zip Top containers represent a great value for the price.

Yes! We are available on Amazon in the United States and Canada. You can access our Amazon store by clicking here: Zip Top Amazon Store. Canadian customers can purchase at our Zip Top Canada Amazon store.  For other countries outside of the US, you may be able to purchase from our Zip Top Amazon store and have it shipped to you in your country.

Be sure that you are purchasing authentic Zip Top products by shopping from our official Zip Top Amazon store. There are many counterfeit and sub-standard knock-offs of Zip Top containers currently for sale on Amazon (we are working with Amazon to get them removed). If you are concerned that you may have bought a counterfeit item either from Amazon or another site, we have covered this issue in much more detail on this page on our site.

You can use our handy locator to find a store near you: Store Locator

Store selections are often limited so order from ZipTop.com for the best selection.

It has come to our attention that numerous websites have popped up purporting to sell Zip Top® containers, sometimes at a significant discount. The best way to purchase authentic Zip Top® containers is from this official company website, https://ziptop.com.

We are also available on Amazon in the United States. You can access our Amazon store by clicking here: Zip Top Amazon Store Be sure that you are purchasing authentic Zip Top products by shopping from our store. There are many counterfeit and sub-standard knock-offs of Zip Top containers currently for sale on Amazon (we are working with Amazon to get them removed).

If you are concerned that you may have bought a counterfeit item either from Amazon or another site, we have covered this issue in much more detail on this page on our site.

We would love to discuss your store and the possibilities of partnering to sell Zip Top to your customers. Please fill out our retailer form and we will contact you shortly.