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HOW/WHEN SHOULD I WASH MY FOOTBAG?

Factors for consideration
Frequency of use
Conditions of use
Life cycle
Materials
How to wash a footbag

Factors for consideration
Washing your footbag regularly will prolong its life, as dirt will contribute to fabric deterioration just like general wear and tear. There are a number of factors to consider when washing a footbag: how often it is used, the conditions in which it is used, its life cycle, and its material makeup.
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Frequency of use
A good general rule is that if the footbag makes your fingers dirty to touch, it's time for a wash. This will vary with use; however, washing an average of every 5-ish sessions is good practice.
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Conditions of use
Frequency of washing will be affected by conditions of play. One major factor is whether play is engaged indoors or outdoors, and the cleanliness of the ground in either case. Consistent outdoor play will generally require more frequent washing than indoor (perhaps up to twice as often!)
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Life cycle
It is important to consider the current stage of a bag's life cycle prior to washing. A fragile and well-used bag nearing its end will require more gentle rinsing, particularly as footbags are more susceptible to deterioration while wet. Conversely, a brand new bag may break in faster with slightly rougher treatment. Ensure that filler does not escape if holes are present. Additionally, if a bag is full of holes, patching with medical tape is vital in prolonging its life, and this should be done after washing so that the tape remains adhered. Dirt and grime will loosen over time, and with it any tape attached to its surface.
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Materials
Filler must be considered when washing a bag. Ask your stitcher if your footbag contains steel or lead. Steel can easily rust over time, affecting performance. Ensuring that a bag dries evenly and as quickly as possible will reduce this threat. In terms of lead, be advised that it is a toxic material and washing will find residue rinsed out of the bag and onto your hands. Precautions should be taken to avoid poisoning.
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How to wash a footbag
So how do you actually wash a footbag?
1) Start by soaking the bag in cool or room temperature water, massaging the material gently until it is fully wet
2) Squeeze-rinse the bag once
3) Add a drop or two of handsoap and massage gently into surface in a circular motion with the palms of your hands
4) Alternate with squeezing for a total of 10-20 seconds
5) Rinse and squeeze to remove excess soap and dirt
6) Start over from step 3 if desired, or necessary (using shampoo on a second round of washing can leave the bag with a pleasant scent.)
7) Wrap a few layers deep in a towel, held in one hand, and pat moderately a few times to absorb as much moisture as possible without applying friction to the fabric.
8) Let sit to dry (ideally on a surface that will not retain moisture)
9) Once dry (usually overnight), massage gently for 10-20 seconds to remove stiffness
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Since this is a somewhat difficult process to accurately describe, the following instructional video by footbag pioneer Eli Piltz is highly recommended:

Video: "How To Wash A Footbag (hacky sack)," by Eli Piltz
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