Time to rotate your shoelaces?

[trof]

This is one of those often overlooked small tasks that a lot of us "forget" to take care of.
It seems like a suitable indoor chore for a hot Saturday morning.
Note: For reasons of durability, appearance, and hygiene, Shoelace Rotation should be accomplished twice a year.

Here is the method approved and recommended by the ASI (American Shoelace Institute):

Items required:
1 (one) large empty clean plastic mayonnaise or peanut butter jar WITH top.
2 (two) tablespoons of good quality antibacterial liquid soap.
For White Shoelaces ONLY: 1 (one) tablespoon of good quality liquid bleach.

Procedure:
1. Remove BOTH shoelaces from shoes.
2. Affix a small stainless steel safety pin to the LEFT shoelace.
(You'll see why this is of utmost importance later.)
3. Pour liquid soap into jar. Add bleach (if needed).
4. Fill jar half-way with HOT water.
5. Place soiled shoelaces in jar.
6. Replace jar cap securely.
7. Let shoelaces soak in soap solution for 1 (one) hour.
8. After laces have soaked for an hour, shake jar vigorously for 5 (five) minutes.
9. Remove cap from jar and pour off liquid.
10. Rinse laces TWICE with clean water, shaking vigorously.
11. Sun dry in a secure squirrel-and-birdproof location.
Shoelaces are a favorite nest building material.
12 When completely dry, press laces with a steam iron set to "Permanent Press".
If your laces have plastic tips, be careful not to melt them.
THIS FINAL STEP IS IMPORTANT!
13. Re-thread laces into shoe eyelets.
Remove the safety pin from the LEFT shoelace and thread the lace into the eyelets on the RIGHT shoe.
Place the remaining lace into the eyelets of the LEFT shoe.
This will ensure even wear and greatly increase the useful life of your shoelaces.

This important message was brought to you by your friends at the Personal Appearance Channel (PAC) and the American Shoelace Institute where we say:
"Nice Looking Shoelaces Say A Lot About A Person."
:-)

[Mutley]

1. OR

You could go buy a new pair of shoelaces for under two dollars! But, whatever floats your boat.

[trof]

3. The rotation method costs less than half that.

Waste not, want not.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Are these white shoelaces?

I only own one pair of shoes with white laces, and they are my gym shoes, worn inside only.

I don't recall ever washing or rotating laces. Hmmmm...is there an advantage to lace rotation?

[trof]

5. Mitigating the spread of disease, if nothing else.

Contaminated shoelaces have been shown to spread ebola, tuberculosis, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Possibly West Nile virus too.

[GOPisEvil]

7. I see. So I've been cheating fate for lo, these 37 years?

Thanks for the tip. :)

[trof]

18. You are one LUCKY guy.

[GOPisEvil]

19. That I am.

I'll have to go toss some salt over my shoulder and light a candle now.

[Misunderestimator]

4. Trof... I'll send you a couple of dollars for new laces...

:hug:

:D

[trof]

6. See reply 3.

[Misunderestimator]

8. I read that already, which is why I offered to send you money...

:P :)

[trof]

13. Well, I can always use the cash.

Thanks.

[Misunderestimator]

14. Ok, just PM me your bank account number...

;)

[trof]

16. OK. Think you'll need my S/S# and PIN too.

;-)

[Misunderestimator]

17. Yes indeed... thank you so much.

;)

[tyedyeto]

9. Thanks for the reminder

I forgot and now my laces have exceeded their 2000 mile wear and tear point.

Now, where did I put that mayonnaise jar?

[cosmik debris]

10. I just finished rotating the air in my tires

And now this! When will it end?

[trof]

12. I hope you used the following "approved" method:

From the NTARC (National Tire Air Rotation Council):

It's a common misconception that the air in your tires should be "changed" periodically, i.e. the "old" air should be removed and replaced with "fresh" air.

Not only is this an "old wives tale", it could be very dangerous. So called "fresh" air contains many more pollutants (which could DRASTICALLY affect the chemical compounds in your tires) than the pure air that was installed at the factory.

Think of the air in your tires not as "old", but "broken in". It has achieved a more acceptable coefficient of compression. It's more "comfortable" for your tires. Think "new shoes" versus older, more comfortable, sneakers.

You SHOULD, however, periodically ROTATE the air in your tires. I do it every 3000 miles, although the manufacturer says every 5000 miles is sufficient. IMHO, sooner is BETTER. It should be accomplished in this manner:

1. Have two (2) U.S. DOT approved containers for the air. You'll see why in a minute.
2. Drain the air from front left tire into one container and the air from the rear right tire into the other.
3. Fill the front left tire with the air from the right rear tire, and vice versa.
4. Repeat this procedure with the front right tire and the rear left tire.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that rotation be accomplished in this manner. Due to the rotational inertial forces contained in tire air, to rotate front left to rear left will cause a reverse-corriolus effect, thus INCREASING the internal wear and tear of the tire and causing adverse steering forces. Many's the time I've pulled some neophyte out of a ditch because he paid no heed to this warning.

It's a good thing you asked.

[trof]

15. VERY IMPORTANT: If you don't have radial tires reverse the above procedure

whew

[El Fuego]

11. Isn't life complicated enough?!?

Arrggghh. Another bloody thing to worry about.