How do I keep my wrist braces from getting stinky?
December 2, 2024 11:25 AM Subscribe
Most days I use a wrist brace like one of these when using a mouse. Over time, they get smelly. After washing, they don't smell, but after a day or two of use, they start smelling again, unlike when first purchased, where they lasted over a week. How do I keep them from smelling after only a day or two of use?
If I use a mouse (especially a touch pad) without a wrist brace for more than half an hour or so, I start to experience pain. So I just wear the brace and don't even think about it. But my hand sweats, puts out oil, etc. So they get smelly. I used one today for the first time since washing (in a washing machine, gentle cycle) it, by the end of the work day it was starting to give off a faint odor of sweat and bacteria, etc. When I first bought it, I was able to use it for over a week before the smell started to appear.
So, what did they treat it with initially and how do I replicate that? I'm fine with a faint chemical smell, as I fear that this is something that can be smell by those who end up with desks next to mine, with me being somewhat nose blind to it, as one gets with any smell.
If I use a mouse (especially a touch pad) without a wrist brace for more than half an hour or so, I start to experience pain. So I just wear the brace and don't even think about it. But my hand sweats, puts out oil, etc. So they get smelly. I used one today for the first time since washing (in a washing machine, gentle cycle) it, by the end of the work day it was starting to give off a faint odor of sweat and bacteria, etc. When I first bought it, I was able to use it for over a week before the smell started to appear.
So, what did they treat it with initially and how do I replicate that? I'm fine with a faint chemical smell, as I fear that this is something that can be smell by those who end up with desks next to mine, with me being somewhat nose blind to it, as one gets with any smell.
A pre-wash soak in 50/50 water and white vinegar is an effective deodorizer for many washable fabrics. Or an old costumer's trick in the theater is to spray costumes with cheap vodka to deodorize them. Either one of those seems worth a try.
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:38 AM on December 2 [4 favorites]
posted by EvaDestruction at 11:38 AM on December 2 [4 favorites]
Liquid crystal deodorant sprayed on and left to dry. Prevents shoes from getting smelly, should work great for braces.
posted by corey flood at 11:39 AM on December 2
posted by corey flood at 11:39 AM on December 2
Make sure you scrub/exfoliate your hand and wrist daily in the morning before putting those on. Really removing excess dead skin (top with a tiny bitterness of moisturizer) helps. Just washing with soap is ok, but scrubbing with a washcloth is better. I don't use that exact kind of brace, but I have worn similar in the past. There's also powder body-spray with deodorant you could lightly apply to the thing when it's clean.
posted by SoberHighland at 11:49 AM on December 2
posted by SoberHighland at 11:49 AM on December 2
Make yourself a few easily washable sleeves out of tube socks. Cut out the toes for your fingers and a thumb hole out of the side, then put the brace on over that. Your hand liquids will mostly collect in the sock, which you can change daily, instead of the brace.
posted by phunniemee at 11:53 AM on December 2 [10 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 11:53 AM on December 2 [10 favorites]
I love the brace underwear idea, phunniemee!
You mentioned you washed it gentle cycle, but with what kind of detergent? It doesn't have to be a specific sport wash, but a lot of the "environmental" detergents are fine for regular clothes, and terrible at getting funk out of synthetics. I really like Costco's Kirkland Ultraclean Free and Clear when I have anything resembling sport materials.
posted by advicepig at 12:56 PM on December 2 [2 favorites]
You mentioned you washed it gentle cycle, but with what kind of detergent? It doesn't have to be a specific sport wash, but a lot of the "environmental" detergents are fine for regular clothes, and terrible at getting funk out of synthetics. I really like Costco's Kirkland Ultraclean Free and Clear when I have anything resembling sport materials.
posted by advicepig at 12:56 PM on December 2 [2 favorites]
phunniemee has it. When I sprained my wrist badly last year I got a custom molded brace and they also gave me a couple lengths of this tube of elastic fabric to wear as a liner. They just cut it to length and cut a slit in the side for my thumb. It was something like this stuff: Cotton stockinette tubular elastic bandage
posted by misskaz at 1:26 PM on December 2 [3 favorites]
posted by misskaz at 1:26 PM on December 2 [3 favorites]
Seconding the recommendation for a different detergent. I use this one.
posted by rivenwanderer at 2:10 PM on December 2 [1 favorite]
posted by rivenwanderer at 2:10 PM on December 2 [1 favorite]
Get some Borax - the 20 mule team stuff. Soak wristbands in 1/2 tsp borax, 1/2 tsp laundry deterg, 1 cup water, precision is not necessary. Then wash - swirl them around vigorously, rinse a couple times, dry on a rack. Borax gets out smells really well.
posted by theora55 at 2:44 PM on December 2 [2 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 2:44 PM on December 2 [2 favorites]
Buy a second pair and wash one every day
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:32 PM on December 2 [1 favorite]
posted by cotton dress sock at 4:32 PM on December 2 [1 favorite]
Soak for 2-3 minutes in Oxyclean before washing. You can then toss the soak water into the washer if like.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:35 PM on December 2
posted by BlueHorse at 7:35 PM on December 2
Response by poster: I got the spray deodorant, will try that, if that works, I'll mark this solved, if not, new detergents and steam sanitize settings are next.
Also, I have about 10 of them. Some are better than others, this was one that had been through one cycle.
posted by Hactar at 4:47 PM on December 4
Also, I have about 10 of them. Some are better than others, this was one that had been through one cycle.
posted by Hactar at 4:47 PM on December 4
Rotate them like they say to do with shoes? That way they can completely dry out? Maybe?
posted by kathrynm at 1:24 PM on December 5
posted by kathrynm at 1:24 PM on December 5
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Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
posted by pantarei70 at 11:32 AM on December 2