Restoring Yo-Yo Strings, is it possible?

[Yo-YoPro]

I had a friend make a comment the other day and it actually sounded like a good idea/thats crazy at the time.

“Your String looks dirty?” … “Yah?” … “It looks like it needs a shower.”

*Chuckle, chuckle. Har, har…

A few days later, I’m thinking… Yah, she’s probably right.

So my question is, is it possible to some how restore our strings or wash them? Or are they pretty much crap after they have been played in?

[rizki_yoist]

You can if it’s simply “dirty” instead of “wearing out”, though I think you shouldn’t do it more than once because it may break.

[yooldman]

I’ve washed used strings by putting them in my jeans pockets when I do laundry. They come out clean and play ok. I’ve also washed a lot of new strings this way by accident and it doesn’t hurt them.

[scooter-mcgavin]

I’ve seen a yoyo string break and the yoyo went flying across the room. Nothing was broken but caused a flat spot on my throw. They are cheap enough to change, cheaper than a.good yoyo, window or 60" flat screen. You can wash them if its simply dirty from a spill or dirty hands but hang dry. Just my 2 cents.

[Yo-YoPro]

The laundry is a good idea, I will just give it a try and see how they come out.

[Marcius]

Another thing that was important that I forgot to mention was the longevity. Like all handmade strings, the price point is certainly not the prettiest, but that is very relative and dependent on the quality of product. After using this string for over 2 hours, it begins to loosen up. Most thick strings get soft and actually thicker in the used phase. This string almost neutralizes itself. The strands get slightly tighter making it thinner (hypothetically), but at the same time the strands soften up and out, making it thicker. So it maintains it’s thickness, while changing in texture. I could probably use one of these strings for a good 10hours of play (then wash it and use it for another 10).

This is from the description of the Toxic’s Markmont Dragon Strings on YYE.

Over the years I’ve seen people from other (used to be) popular forums saying they’ve washed strings to get them to feel fresh and new again. I personally haven’t done it before though.