# How Do I Clean my Stinky Sack? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 2, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733 "2005-01-02T20:20:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/1 "2005-01-02T20:20:55Z")
I have a nylon gym bag that’s been getting pretty stinky from sweaty clothes. Can I just put it in the washer on cold? Or should I hose it out and air dry it? ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/2 "2005-01-02T20:24:46Z")
Thank God, I thought that this was going to be a personal hygiene question. If it’s nylon it should be easily washable - look for a care label. If you’re worried about banging up your machine or having it bleed all over your clothes, put it in a bucket with some warm, soapy water and handwash it. Rinse thoroughly and hang dry, air it out outside. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/3 "2005-01-02T21:42:20Z")
> [@Valgard](#): > > Thank God, I thought that this was going to be a personal hygiene question. And yet you still opened the thread to take a peek. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/4 "2005-01-02T21:45:27Z")
If **hypno-toad** _does_ have a personal hygene problem, I recommend a wire brush, used vigorously. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/5 "2005-01-02T21:49:57Z")
Who wouldn’t click on a thread with a title like that? That’s golden! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/6 "2005-01-02T21:51:56Z")
Baking soda, my man. I’d wash it as described, then put it in a sealed plastic tub with a whole lotta baking soda for a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Kuizelemartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19b73/32.png) [@Kuizelemartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuizelemartz)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/7 "2005-01-02T22:06:00Z")
I knew clicking on the thread would be a huge disappointment. I shouldda just sat back and enjoyed the title. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/8 "2005-01-02T22:17:42Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > I have a nylon gym bag that’s been getting pretty stinky from sweaty clothes. Can I just put it in the washer on cold? Or should I hose it out and air dry it? Put a capful of Lysol Disinfectant, from the brown bottle, in the washer, on cold. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/9 "2005-01-02T22:23:55Z")
> [@Joe Random](#): > > And yet you still opened the thread to take a peek. 😃 I don’t seem to be the only one 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/10 "2005-01-03T00:18:42Z")
A cup full of white vinegar in with the detergent. That’s what they say to use on synthetic bike shorts to kill the stink. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2005, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-clean-my-stinky-sack/282733/11 "2005-01-03T00:23:03Z")
If you want responses, go for the lowest common denominator. Of course, you might not get the responses you like. Or like the ones you get. I’m quite satisfied, however. The only care tag in the bag recommended that it was made in Sri Lanka. So I’ll go for the warm soapy water then disinfect it. Thanks.