Submitted by Wiknetti t3_yys24u in LifeProTips
I just laundered my backpack that I’ve worn for years and realised the straps trapped all my sweat and BO.
Sometimes I’d wear clothes once, even with deodorant and antiperspirant, and they’d stink at the end of the day.
After washing the straps, I’ve noticed I’m smelling way fresher than usual.
Wow! I’d never have thought of that. Thanks for the good tip!
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.
I wear it over my clothes. And I tend to sweat through my clothes, especially in the summer.
Today I learned there's body funk, and more body funk than usual.
Wash dirty fabric you say? Revolutionary.
Ah okok
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.
Quite. Sometimes I even use something called detergent. To deter gents.
I’m throwing my bag in the wash but if it breaks you owe me a new one!!
Ok. I’ll owe you. Doesn’t mean I’ll pay it back though. 😛
Jokes on you, i use a satchel.
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.
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Use bathtub or sink and agitate by hand
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.
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
LPT: when something is smelly/dirty wash it
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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
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.
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)
What next? Washing my bed sheets? But I always shower after sleeping?!
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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.
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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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.
Please say sike
i’d have to sort through the mystery of what’s actually in there, and i’m just not psychologically prepared for that
Stop eating/drinking food that makes you smell
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Shoes and hats too.
Just don't use fabric softener if it's made of waterproof material.
Also if it smells bad to you, it’s a thousand times worse to others.
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A lot of people do not realize that sheets or towels both need regular washing...
Same goes for jackets.
Truly. Like a backpack glazed with many summers of armpit funk.
I like garlic too much. And dairy. And meat. And cruciferous vegetables. And alcohol.
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.
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.
Oh yeah. I’m aware. I’m sure people think I smell like a hot pan full of cumin.
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!
No, this is r/lifeprotips.
Then stop it. You absolutely reek, dude.
I know, right? I smell like fermented fruit, garlic, and old all mixed together.
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
I still love you 💖
There's a "usual"?
Ewwwwwww
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.
For the love of god, colloquially, if you think your backpack is what makes you stink, bathe more often. Fuck.
I just shake it into a plastic bag and then it goes back in once washed hahah
Mines just usually coins, inhalers, pens, one of those sticky balls to collect the small crumbs that get in your bag.
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...
Next you’ll tell me you wash your towels. Who washes their towel? The towel washes me.
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.
What is this sticky ball thing you speak of, some sort of magicks?
Love you too :D
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.
I don't have a backpack, but if that will help I'll go buy one and wash it.
Same applies to flip flops and smelly feet
Hello, I'm that person. I neglect both. And I know what you'll ask - I'm just lazy.
Yup. Flip flops and sandals. A good scrub with paper towel and soap in the shower works for me, and then air drying.
You gotta think, pal
Having to tell people to wash stuff their wear every day is fucking wild to me. Lol
Holy……shit.
Get it together man.
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
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.
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.
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. 🤣
Sweet I need one of these for my server apron!
Okay Nic Miller
keepthetips t1_iwvvra3 wrote
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