I use to use cloth shoe bags but after reading how germ ladened bottom of shoes are I purchased these bags. I washed before use to get rid of excess dye and hung to dry. They dried quickly. I needed to tie the cords but did not have any problems with the cords breaking as some people. Maybe, I was careful and did not use much force when closing bag. They were very inexpensive so I do not expect them to have a long life.