(no subject)

[the_rck]

I just tried to clean our library bag. We bought it several years ago and had never washed it because I was certain it would shrink if run through the washer and dryer. It had been getting steadily dirtier and more stained. It started out that not quite white that undyed, unbleached fabrics can be. Now, it's got streaks of dirt and some rust stains (I have no idea where those came from), and the handles are a nasty gray/brown.

I tried some bleach first, and that had no effect at all that I could see. Either I didn't use enough, or stains of that sort are impervious to bleach. I haven't messed around much with bleach, so I have no idea which. Then I tried Woolite. I think that softened some of the streaks of dirt, but it did nothing about the handles or the rust spots.

The bag is still perfectly sound, so I don't want to replace it. I'm not sure the library sells that particular type of bag any more, and I don't feel like searching around for something similar. I just want the bag to look a bit less like something one shouldn't touch. Unfortunately, I don't think I succeeded in that.

Comments

[adrian_turtle]

You might try soaking it in a really strong solution of oxy-clean. That kind of "bleach" (I mean peroxide bleach, not chlorine bleach. It's sold as color-safe bleach, and it is safe for many dyes though not all) takes out different stains than chlorox. And it's more effective if you can soak it overnight rather than just have it in the washer for half an hour.

[the_rck]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll try it.

I really don't want to go searching for another book bag. I don't think the library sells these any more, and most book bags I see are considerably smaller than this one is.

[evalerie.livejournal.com]

You can always decorate it with permanent markers........ :)