Visibly dirty lanyards

[OddBoots]

In no sense could I be described as a clean freak, so I surprise myself with this but I have so many questions in my head when I see people who are generally clean and tidy people with their work lanyards so clearly unwashed even occasionally.

Does it just not occur to people to clean them? It only takes seconds to unclip a pass and/or fob and put it in the wash with your clothes.

Is it odd to want to keep something that spends so long dangling around your neck (that if you work somewhere with access control doors you need to touch multiple ties a day) clean?

Am I unreasonable to think that lanyards should be washed regularly?

I put my backbag in the washing machine a couple of days ago. 😊 I do every few months or so. For some inexplicable reason the interior smelt strongly of fish so that was definitely getting a wash regardless 🫤 (I hadn’t bought fish)

OK, I’ve just read this and put my lanyard in the wash. Will try to get onto my backpack later.

Have you still got a breakaway link on your chain? I know I sound like the whingy safety Elf but its important.

Sometimes the glue in bags and shoes can smell "fishy".

Yuk - so many lanyards look grubby and greasy - slick with sweat and detritus from being picked up by grubby hands.

Get two - switch id from one to the other when you get home and put the grubby one in the wash, once a week, or month.

I have washed mine a couple of times over the last half term and will wash it again when we break up next week. I wouldn’t do it weekly though unless it actually became grubby because the staff print on it can crack and peel. I shower every morning before it goes on so I am never really concerned that it’s dirty.

@godmum56 not as such, just the joining bit where the 2 ends join. It will, theoretically, snap if pressure is applied.
Generallly this is not a problem though as we only wear it in the building where we are among friendly folk, clients don't come to the building.
Also I'm big enough to, hopefully, prevent any dramas.

@grumpygrape

You don't wash dirty sweaty shirts/blouses ?

Yes I wash shirts and blouses. They are (usually) worn next to the skin and quickly become dirty and smelly, particularly in hot weather. A lanyard sits on top of clothes and is a bit of fabric with a plastic bit on the top. Most people don't wear them around all day, they wear them to get in and out of a building and sometimes when moving around. If they do become dirty its almost never visible and no one pays that much attention to a lanyard.

I've never become ill or attracted negative attention for failing to wash a lanyard and I'm not about to burden my life any further by adding in a pointless bit of busywork to assuage someone else's unnecessary germ phobia. Life is short enough as it is.

Same

I keep mine in my office drawer so I don’t take it home.
Actually, if I think on, I may put it in the works washing machine when the put a wash on next time I’m in.

When I was a student I used to work in a jewellery store where people would come to change their watch batteries. Some of the watches were disgusting, caked in dirt and stunk! We'd take one look and say we didn't have the battery in stock! 🤮😆 Some people are disgusting!!

yes attacks can be a problem but its just generally unsafe to wear something around your neck that won't break if its gets caught on or in something

Agreed

Ewww
Pull cords on blinds and light switches get grim too.

You need one of these @AllMyExesWearRolexes

https://lanyardstomorrow.co.uk/en/retractable-metal-yo-yo-recoil-reel-clip-for-id-card-badge-holders.html

Yes they get dirty
Depending on the colour you need to watch out just chucking them in the wash.

I speak from bitter experience with a purple lanyard.

I did actually wash mine because it was filthy, it needs doing again only a few weeks later thanks to the hot sweaty weather but I never really noticed prior!

Absolutely never crossed my mind to wash a lanyard. Mine is black anyway

How much time would you need to wash a lanyard? Stick it in the machine..

Interesting thread! I get handed id cards with lanyards when staff are leaving. They lanyards are quite often disgusting. I chuck the lanyards straight in the bin and antibac my hands. Grim.

I hate lanyards around my neck so I clip it around my belt loop. If I’m not wearing something with belt loops, then I use this clip.

https://tinyurl.com/mr3rw7e3

I have a fascination with people’s filthy lanyards. Generally women (makeup/moisturiser).

Ours are all blue with white writing - some of them are grim grim grim

At least you know who’s homemade food not to take !

I just dunk mine in the washing up bowl - squeeze it out and it’s dry by the next morning

Great band name - Oddboots and the Visibly Dirty Lanyards. Sound fun, I’d go!
I do agree - saw some king of soup splatter on one and was very distracting. It’s like ties but at least they have a use.

It has never once crossed my mind to wash a lanyard. I can see the logic now you’ve pointed it out but I strongly suspect I still won’t bother.