Break in Tips (was: doctor)

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 17 Sep 2003 04:03

Hold on.. I'm getting Josh's attention via email.. He'll let us know exactly how he uses the fabric softener. It really is worth it though - his footbags are always the sweetest ones at our sessions.

Kaezziel · Post by **Kaezziel** » 17 Sep 2003 06:09

That's why I use the dryer sheets. It is a fabric softener, only it would normally go into the dryer with your clothes. Instead, wash and dry the bag, then rub it pretty good (palm roll the bag with the sheet wrapped around it, etc.) with the dryer sheet. Just make sure that you roll the bag around in your hands for a little while afterwards without the dryer sheet to remove the light waxy stuff (the fabric softener) that comes off of the dryer sheet. Hope this helps.

Josh B · Post by **Josh B** » 17 Sep 2003 11:02

all you do is wash it with soap or detergent as usual, then once you rinse that off just put a little bit of fabric softener on your hands, then rub it around, then rinse the bag again so its not so "oily". this way, next time you play it'll be nice and soft, and as bob said, not crunchy. i think this also helps breaking in new bags, it really softens up the material.

*note* there's no risk. fabric softener DOESN'T hurt facile, just softens it.[/b]

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 17 Sep 2003 11:55

thats the problem...theres a risk involved.

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 18 Sep 2003 06:23

See Josh's note above.. The fabric softener poses no risk. He was being a sarcastic punk. Oh yeah, I said it.

gibsonian · Post by **gibsonian** » 02 Oct 2003 22:39

To repair holes, I use SHOE GOO, use as little as possible, apply with a toothpick in a very thin layer and it will still be flexible. The recommended stuff is called FREESOLE, and it is basically thinner shoe goo. YOu can find shoe goo at hardware stores, possibly even a target or walmart or something.

Fabric softener? That is nothing short of genious.

ted · Post by **ted** » 05 Oct 2003 18:02

For holes I use BOSS brand silicone sealant, however any will work. Just check a hardware store/Wal-Mart. I use a toothpick for application too.

gibsonian · Post by **gibsonian** » 06 Oct 2003 16:10

Think about it. This "risk" everyone keeps talking about, what is it? Most people dont want broken in clothes, so that is why they dont soak them in fabric softener. However, that is exactly what we want: soft, broken in bags. The only "risk" is taht your bag will break in faster, and if that is a significant threat then dont use fabric softener.

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 06 Oct 2003 16:15

it says not to put it directly on clothes

Panda Licker · Post by **Panda Licker** » 06 Oct 2003 16:40

for some reason, having my 20 sum dollar bag disolve because of fabric softener doesnt seem worth the risk

Rieferman · Post by **Rieferman** » 15 Oct 2003 11:16

why would the bag disolve? you're not drowning the bag in the stuff and then just letting it sit there for a week. In my opinion, if you can put it on clothes to make them softer, you can put it on bags to make them softer too.

I dunno.. Decide for yourselves.. But, I've used this method on 4 bags repeatedly now approximately since this thread started and my Carol, my Lonn Irish, and my Mel Schneider bags are all imrpoved (not harmed).

gibsonian · Post by **gibsonian** » 20 Oct 2003 07:15

The 'risk' isn't that your bag will dissolve, it is that the material could become thinner and softer, which is what we want in footbags, its called break-in. The only reason it is mentioned as a risk is because you don't necessarily want your clothes to get thinner and worn out.

NotHisRealName · Post by **NotHisRealName** » 23 Oct 2003 05:33

When washing my bags I use a 'footbag bag'. Other things I've hear of is bra bags. You can get them from underwear stores and it's a bag made of netting. This keeps your bags together and stops them getting smashed around too much in the wahing machiene. It's basicly the same principle as putting them in the pocket of your pants when you wash em.

richardabshire · Post by **richardabshire** » 08 Nov 2003 18:48

Breaking in a bag requires the shredder to commit to actually doing it this way.
Step one
Brand new bags need to be rubbed softly until the stitches/gathers have found their final resting place on the bag. After doing this the bag is ready to be used. Doing this will increase the life of your bag.
Step two
Wash your bag every time it gets dirty. This keeps the the facile free of glass dirt and whatever else. The idea behind this is to keep the core of the fabric strong. The outer and inner layers don't really matter in the end. Most people are so concerned with the actual look of a new bag, bad idea. The next time you buy a footbag, imagine it fully broken in.
Step three
This step may cost you a little cash. Cycle five or six bags at a time. Each one in a different stage in break in. That way ther is no rush to break in a bag. If you rush it, you screwed yourself. The process works perfectly, and has for some time. I am referring to my footbags of course and the bags of the people I shred with on a weekly basis. That includes about 300 footbags in the last four years. I hope this helps, if not then call me.

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 08 Nov 2003 20:05

a very respectable shredder told me that too much washing can end up wearing out the bag.

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 08 Nov 2003 22:06

was it me? i do think that, however, it has a lot to do with what type of soap one is using to wash the bag with. I do wash my bags when they are dirty.

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 09 Nov 2003 15:27

twas you

richardabshire · Post by **richardabshire** » 17 Nov 2003 15:46

wash your facile 32 after dirty sessions. The idea is to keep the natural holes in the facile the same size. Most stitchers know nothing about this. This is where the life of your comes into play. These holes cause fabric decay when they grow. Keep these holes clean allow dirt or whatever to cling to these holes filling them up. Everytime you play, more and more dirt pile into these holes making them larger, so hwne you finally wash your bag, it almost falls apart. This is a delicate fabric and is not cheap. Facile and heat don't mix. Friction causes the bond in the fabric to be broken and starts to fuzz up or pull apart. The cleaner the bag the softer it will be while extending its life. Also, just a tip, play with your bags DRY, wet footbags pick up more dirt and glass, and can be too sticky(allowing some slop to occur). A clean dry facile 32 that has been broken in properly can make anyone a better player. I think most top players would agree with this. Hope this helps.Richie

ShredStylez · Post by **ShredStylez** » 17 Nov 2003 15:55

i noticed my facile getting little dangly things hanging from it.

Wicked told me abshire that i should kick my bag until its tremendously dirty then wash it and it will be broken in? does this sound right?

Panda Licker · Post by **Panda Licker** » 17 Nov 2003 16:01

i think that washing it helps break it in, so i'd do it as much as possible