Trader Joe’s may have just dropped the spookiest item of the season—and not in a good way. A TikToker is going viral after claiming the store’s new $3 Halloween tote left black dye stains all over her stuff, including her Owala water bottle and sunglasses case. Now, the comments are split between people clutching their own totes in fear and others asking the obvious question: why trust a $3 bag with your nicest gear?
Why are Trader Joe’s Tote Bags So Popular?
Trader Joe’s tote bags have become a full-blown cultural phenomenon because they hit the sweet spot between affordable, collectible, and effortlessly trendy. Priced at just a few dollars, each new design—from seasonal prints to limited-edition city bags—feels like a mini treasure hunt. They’re also built with that signature Trader Joe’s charm: quirky, practical, and just hip enough to show off in a grocery haul TikTok. Add in their sustainability appeal and the social media hype machine, and it’s no wonder these reusable totes have evolved from simple shopping bags into must-have fashion accessories. However, this is where Denise’s (@deniseepark) problem begins.
Joining the crowd that loves getting seasonal merch, Denise also purchased the new Halloween-themed Trader Joe’s tote. Instead of its signature navy blue and beige canvas look, this new tote is completely black, save for the logo in orange. While definitely trendy, it seems some steps went wrong.
Denise starts the 14-second clip by saying, “This Trader Joe’s bag has literally stained all of my stuff.” She then goes on to show her Owala water bottle that has dark dye stains covering the lid. Next, she pulls out her sunglasses case from the tote to also show similar stains. While a very short clip indeed, Denise’s TikTok has acquired 445,000 views with over 500 comments, all ranging from apprehension to chastisement.
@deniseepark how do I get rid of this ? so sad #traderjoes #owala ♬ original sound – deniseepark
Should You Use the Tote as an Everyday Purse?
Several viewers in the comments section under Denise’s TikTok scold her for this outcome instead of shaming the grocery store’s manufacturing. One of the top comments states, “girl, it was 3$ like lowkey what did we expect?” while another says, “Trader Joe’s doesn’t sell purses or accessories. It’s a grocery store.”
One viewer shames Denise by saying, “This shows me that people buy stuff straight out of the store and don’t wash it.”
On the other hand, other viewers have offered condolences and shared their own similar experiences. One viewer says, “It stained my labubu and my coach wallet. I’m so upset.”
Another shares, “You have to wash them first! This way the excess dye can fall out. I also learned that the hard way.”
Either way, whether it stains your wallet or your next grocery haul, it’s quite a painful situation. Especially considering the fact that maybe you tried really hard to get the tote in the first place. The Mary Sue has even covered the fame of these tote bags and how they can resell for up to hundreds of dollars. Now it doesn’t seem like just a $3 loss when it stains everything you own, right?
The Mary Sue reached out to Denise via TikTok direct message and Trader Joe’s via press contact form.
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