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dianaprince76 t1_iwvvzwv wrote

Wow! I’d never have thought of that. Thanks for the good tip!

326

Tulum702 t1_iwxccw3 wrote

What next? Washing my bed sheets? But I always shower after sleeping?!

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ho-lee_-sheet t1_iwxelsw wrote

Bruh I found the sheet thing out past year. Always had problems with my skin and now it's barely a problem anymore. lmao

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lazy-but-talented t1_iwxje38 wrote

Please say sike

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tommybot t1_iwxntor wrote

A lot of people do not realize that sheets or towels both need regular washing...

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tstu2865 t1_iwxske9 wrote

Like how tho… our bodies shed skin cells all the time and you still can sweat at night.. towels are gonna get smelly after you use them so many times cause they get wet… I don’t understand how someone could neglect either

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Ridenberg t1_iwzxmw9 wrote

Hello, I'm that person. I neglect both. And I know what you'll ask - I'm just lazy.

0

tstu2865 t1_ix23c66 wrote

I hate laundry too more than any other chore but knowing I’m drying off with a clean towel and then climbing into a clean bed overpowers all dislike for the process.

1

Verbenaplant t1_iwx4y8i wrote

I regularly Chuck my backpacks in the washer, every few months or so. I feel suprised more people don’t do this? They touch floors and all sorts and are used daily

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howfastyouweregoing t1_iwxjsaq wrote

i’d have to sort through the mystery of what’s actually in there, and i’m just not psychologically prepared for that

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mazurzapt t1_iwya064 wrote

I just cleaned mine out, it wasn’t too scary, but the amount of small notebooks, pens and protein bars in the just knocks me out. No wonder it’s so heavy.

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Verbenaplant t1_iwykv8q wrote

I just shake it into a plastic bag and then it goes back in once washed hahah

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Verbenaplant t1_iwykx7n wrote

Mines just usually coins, inhalers, pens, one of those sticky balls to collect the small crumbs that get in your bag.

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cs_k_ t1_iwyqhvb wrote

Nothing better, than finding your sandwich from the last day of school in the end of august, when mom asks for my backpack to wash it.

Oh, the memories...

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Fyregoddess420 t1_ix4dcst wrote

This just brought up a memory. I had left half of my sandwich in my lunchbox and my stepmother found it about a week and a half into summer break of my 6th grade year and she grounded me for the entire summer for wasting food and for leaving it in the lunchbox. I got to watch the neighborhood kids play thru my bedroom window all summer 🤦‍♀️🥺 lesson learned, I threw everything away at school after that. 🤣

1

highfriends t1_iwxj5df wrote

Same! I have a regular backpack that I use for work and a dog mom bag that gets washed more frequently but washing your backpack is definitely a thing.

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GornButNotForgotten t1_iwyvobs wrote

I've always been worried they wouldn't survive the washing machine. I normally spray and wipe them down every now and again at least.

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semicolon-advocate t1_ix07go6 wrote

right? every time I go to the bathroom on campus I have to set my backpack on the floor of the stall, as does everyone else I see

1

PilotG10 t1_iwvzn3j wrote

How do you wash them?

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Wiknetti OP t1_iww0a1z wrote

Stuck the whole backpack in the washing machine. I had a mesh bag meant for securing stuff like shoes and whatnot and wrapped my backpack in it. Mind you, my backpack is mostly made out of fabric.

I wouldn’t advise washing it like I did if it’s made of leather, etc.

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DrNeurons t1_iwwoj94 wrote

Careful of any loose straps if you're just putting the whole thing in the washer. I had one my favorite backpacks get eaten/torn by the washing machine rotors because one of the straps somehow got stuck.

Would recommend air-drying because some of the stuffing materials they use for padding like on the arm straps can shrink and become useless in the drier.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwx2rmk wrote

I remember reading somewhere to put it in a big pillowcase and tie it. It may work better than the mesh to keep things secure in the wash. Air drying would be better too

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TheRedGandalf t1_iwx2s08 wrote

LPT: when something is smelly/dirty wash it

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxcad0 wrote

Absolutely. Bigger pro tip would be to use some kind of product so the dirt just slips off the material as you wash it. I forget the name of it but it’s the end product of when fats undergo saponification. Truly cutting edge.

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taosaur t1_iwxij3p wrote

A lot to unpack here.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxpnak wrote

Truly. Like a backpack glazed with many summers of armpit funk.

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DroolingSlothCarpet t1_iwwh8fs wrote

Today I learned there's body funk, and more body funk than usual.

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hkusp45css t1_iwwj7x6 wrote

Wash dirty fabric you say? Revolutionary.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwwp517 wrote

Quite. Sometimes I even use something called detergent. To deter gents.

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Adrizzle00 t1_iwwvlcr wrote

I’m throwing my bag in the wash but if it breaks you owe me a new one!!

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwwwp1n wrote

Ok. I’ll owe you. Doesn’t mean I’ll pay it back though. 😛

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jhillman87 t1_iwwx2sv wrote

Jokes on you, i use a satchel.

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Psych277 t1_iwxgxgy wrote

Thanks for the reminder. I've intended to wash my backpack for the last couple of weekends but keep forgetting.

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chibinoi t1_iwxuu4i wrote

Also wash your sheets and, if you use them, mattress covers, pillow cases and duvets regularly.

Basically, if it’s absorbent and touches your skin for extended periods of time, your BO funk, dead skin cells, and oils will seep in.

6

PapiCaddy t1_iwxgcji wrote

Is this r/LifeBasicHygiene ?

5

MisterChives t1_iwxo85k wrote

Same goes for jackets.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxqhzh wrote

I have a wool jacket I’ve never washed for years. Oddly enough it has no body funk on it what so ever.

I have a denim jacket that faces the problem I mentioned in the post. Wore it once with my backpack and it’s funky at the end of the day!

1

larson_5 t1_iwxccj6 wrote

Most backpacks have detachable straps. At least all the ones for hiking I’ve seen have. My recommendation would be to just unrig the straps and toss them into a laundry safe mesh hamper and throw it on its own or with other heavy materials like blankets (just to make the most of your wash cycle)

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxdgr4 wrote

Mine was a Herschel backpack with the straps sewn on to the actual bag, non-detachable. Worn it for years and still going. Just needed a lil soap and wash and she’s good to go for another few years I hope.

3

Solostinhere t1_iwxkyzj wrote

Shoes and hats too.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxq1dz wrote

I’m always worried to wash shoes. I feel like certain parts might give out, like anything foam etc. but yeah, definitely helps with feet funk.

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sonia72quebec t1_iwxlv4s wrote

Just don't use fabric softener if it's made of waterproof material.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxq6h5 wrote

I’ve stopped using fabric softener on stuff that’s meant to be absorbent like my towels and undershirts. I’m hoping it helps with sweat evaporation as well.

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montanagrizfan t1_iwxmef4 wrote

Also if it smells bad to you, it’s a thousand times worse to others.

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwxqch9 wrote

Oh yeah. I’m aware. I’m sure people think I smell like a hot pan full of cumin.

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alanhaywood t1_iwzukrf wrote

Same applies to flip flops and smelly feet

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Wiknetti OP t1_iwzywek wrote

Yup. Flip flops and sandals. A good scrub with paper towel and soap in the shower works for me, and then air drying.

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NarcolepticKnifeFite t1_ix04i5e wrote

Having to tell people to wash stuff their wear every day is fucking wild to me. Lol

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Wiknetti OP t1_ix0l9m2 wrote

I usually don’t have to wash bags or shoes. But from the amount of people in the thread, I guess it’s a solid reminder and a good tip for backpacks.

1

keepthetips t1_iwvvra3 wrote

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

1

Berkut22 t1_iwyd6n5 wrote

Oh man, I wore a small Camelbak for 2 weeks while I was in Malaysia.

It was 34C average while I was there, even at night. I sweat THE ENTIRE TIME.

My bag smelled so bad by the time I got home.

1

kindquail502 t1_iwz9muv wrote

I don't have a backpack, but if that will help I'll go buy one and wash it.

1

kittenrice t1_iwyb4jk wrote

For the love of god, colloquially, if you think your backpack is what makes you stink, bathe more often. Fuck.

0

Wiknetti OP t1_iwz3ec1 wrote

I mean, I don’t think showering twice a day is efficient for me. Probably better to clean sources that spread bacteria that causes sweat stink.

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erdenebz t1_iwwa8ke wrote

How would it trap sweat? Do you wear your backpack naked?

−1

Wiknetti OP t1_iwwdm63 wrote

I wear it over my clothes. And I tend to sweat through my clothes, especially in the summer.

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velezaraptor t1_iwxk9pe wrote

Stop eating/drinking food that makes you smell

−3

Wiknetti OP t1_iwxpxg2 wrote

I like garlic too much. And dairy. And meat. And cruciferous vegetables. And alcohol.

2

Sad_Effort t1_iwwxflg wrote

Or dont just put dirty sweaty clothes directly into yiur bag pack but first put them in a plastic bag and then put them in it.

−5

newbinvester t1_iwx1zdp wrote

Good idea, but sweat will also soak into your backpack from the clothes you're wearing. Happens to me when I go on hikes on hot days with my backpack.

10