Breaking In Your Bags
Breaking in cornhole bags is essential to enhance their playability and performance. Here are the key reasons why you should break in your bags:
Softening the Fabric: New cornhole bags often have stiff fabric, which can affect their grip and control. Breaking in the bags helps soften the fabric, making them more pliable and easier to handle.
Improving Grip: Breaking in cornhole bags improves the grip between the bags and the playing surface. This enhanced grip allows for better control, more accurate throws, and reduced chances of the bags sliding off the board.
Enhancing Playability: As cornhole bags are broken in, they become more malleable and conform to the shape of your hand. This allows for a more comfortable and natural grip, resulting in improved throws and better overall playing experience.
Increasing Control and Accuracy: Stiff and new cornhole bags may be challenging to control, leading to inconsistent throws. Breaking in the bags helps achieve a consistent weight distribution, enabling better control and increased accuracy when aiming for the board.
Customizing Feel and Performance: Breaking in cornhole bags allows you to customize their feel and performance to suit your personal preferences. Some players prefer softer bags with a more broken-in feel, while others may prefer a slightly firmer texture. Breaking in your bags helps you achieve the desired level of playability that helps to advance your game.
How Do I Break-in Cornhole Bags?
A tried-and-true simple method:
Step 1: Throw your bags in the washer and turn to a cold wash setting (without any soaps).
Step 1b: Since the colors can bleed, wash with old towels to balance the load.
Step 2: After they are washed, start a low-heat tumble dry cycle for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Let the bags air dry the rest of the way.
Simple as that. Now test your bags and repeat if the desired feeling is not met.
Another method is using Downy fabric softener:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Collect all the necessary supplies, including your cornhole bags and a bottle of fabric softener.
Step 2: Preparing the Bags
Start by inspecting your cornhole bags for any loose threads or damage. Repair any minor issues to ensure the bags are in good condition. Then, give the bags a thorough cleaning by washing them with mild soap and warm water. Rinse the bags thoroughly and let them air dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Dilute the Downy Soap
Fill a bucket or sink with warm water and add a small amount of Downy fabric softener. Follow the instructions on the bottle to determine the appropriate amount for the volume of water you're using. Mix the water and Downy soap well to create a diluted solution.
Step 4: Soak the Bags
Submerge the cornhole bags in the diluted Downy soap solution. Ensure that the bags are fully saturated and allow them to soak for about 30 minutes. This step helps to soften the fabric and break in the bags more effectively.
Step 5: Remove Excess Soap
After the soaking period, remove the bags from the Downy solution and gently squeeze out any excess soap. Avoid wringing or twisting the bags forcefully, as this could damage the fabric.
Step 6: Air Dry the Bags
Place the cornhole bags on a clean, dry towel or a drying rack in a well-ventilated area. Allow the bags to air dry naturally. Avoid using direct heat or sunlight, as this may cause the fabric to shrink or become damaged.
Step 7: Check Playability
Once the bags are completely dry, check their playability. If they still feel stiff or lack the desired softness, you can repeat the process of soaking and air drying to further break them in. However, be cautious not to over-soften the bags, as it may affect their performance.
Step 8: Test, Test, Test
After the bags have been properly broken in, test them on a cornhole board to assess their performance. You should notice improved grip and feel, allowing for better control and accuracy during gameplay. Now you can enjoy playing cornhole with your freshly broken-in bags!
Remember, the process of breaking in cornhole bags may vary depending on factors such as the type of fabric and personal preference. It's important to experiment and find the right balance to achieve the desired feeling for numerous four-bagger games.