Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 17, 2014 at 5:31am

What is is made out of?  Can you wash it out every couple of weeks?  Can it go in a washing machine on a delicate cycle?  How about do a better job of putting the stinky things you carry into another container (like a reusable/recyclable plastic bag) that will contain the odors? 

Try a dryer sheet--like Bounce--in the bag.  Find a way to put baking soda in a container that will not spill but will allow the baking soda to absorb the odors.  Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for that.

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Permalink Reply by EssFresh on January 17, 2014 at 6:00am

Thanks. The manufacturer says not to wash it, most likely removes the water proofing. You can wipe it down but that does not take care of the odor. I use ball jars for my food, so I think it's just musty from shoes and clothes. Yuck.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on January 17, 2014 at 6:14am

Carry an open box of baking soda? :-)

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 17, 2014 at 6:21am

Or maybe put an open container of baking soda in the empty bag overnight?  Wipe out the interior with a light spray of some disinfecting cleaner? 

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Permalink Reply by H2 on January 17, 2014 at 6:29am

Better for in the warmer weather - putting the bag completely empty and open out in the full sun for a few hours helps get rid of funky smells big time with my backpack.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on January 17, 2014 at 7:58am

Wash it with a technical garment wash and then rewaterproof it. I use reviveX cleaners and waterproofed with good results.

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Permalink Reply by Beans on January 17, 2014 at 11:40am

I'd like to use the name of the thread for my next band name please.

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Permalink Reply by EssFresh on January 17, 2014 at 12:04pm

Thanks for the advice. It wouldn't bother me so much but the smell is leaping on to clean clothes. I'll formulate a plan of attack and update with the results.

Oh, I would definitely go see "The Stinky Bike Bags".

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on January 18, 2014 at 8:40am

This is kind of the opposite idea, but I know people who have those special jeans that you can't wash for whatever reason ("raw denim" maybe?) will put them in the freezer to get rid of odors. Could be worth a shot.

H2 said:

Better for in the warmer weather - putting the bag completely empty and open out in the full sun for a few hours helps get rid of funky smells big time with my backpack.

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Permalink Reply by yai danche on January 19, 2014 at 3:04am

whenever i buy coffee, i save the bag and use it to deodorize my messenger bag.  the coffee bag doesn't even have to be open, just the leave it in there with the tabs sealed.  obviously you better like the smell of coffee.  like rwein5, i use a reusable tote like the kind you get at Walgreens for clothes and have a separate one for dirty clothes.  i also have separate bags for groceries, too.  they are the kind that folds into its own pocket so don't take up a lot of space.

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Permalink Reply by EssFresh on January 19, 2014 at 7:34am

 Yesterday I emptied, vacuumed, and hit the interior pockets with fuh-breeze. Let it air out and it appears to have mellowed the stench. I had a Chrome bag for years without ever having the odor, this Mission Workshop 80 gallon (see what i did there) expandable one got stanky in about 6 months. Mind you I live out of this thing, so this isn't a knock on MW product, which have been nothing short of indestructible. 

Great idea on the coffee. I think I will fill a muslin bag with a small amount of whole beans and leave it in the guilty portion of the bag.

Thanks for all the advice. 

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Permalink Reply by Wendi Kromash on January 24, 2014 at 5:34am

Keep a dryer sheet like Febreeze or another brand in the bag and switch it out every week or so. They take up no room and are meant to absorb odors. You can also put them into shoes.

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