Whether it's the towel you used after your shower or your workout gear after an hour at the gym, don't just throw your damp clothes on the floor or into the laundry basket. Instead, drape your wet clothes on the side of the laundry basket or hang them over the shower rod to dry out before they go into the laundry. Balling up wet clothes will cause them to stay wet longer, giving mildew a better chance to grow. Overusing laundry detergent can lead to a buildup of soap suds that never get completely rinsed out in the wash. This residue then feeds the odor-causing bacteria, leaving even your cleanest clothes with a funky smell. Each time you wash your clothes, measure your detergent carefully to make sure you don't add too much. Follow the guidelines on your detergent packaging to know how much to add. When in doubt, add a little less detergent than you think you need. Fabric softener leaves your clothes feeling soft and smelling good, but when it's used on stretchy, synthetic workout clothes, it leaves a slick residue that is nearly impossible to remove. This residue then keeps water from penetrating the fabric, meaning your clothes will smell bad even when they're clean. Fabric softener residue will also promote the growth of bacteria in much the same way as using too much detergent. Leaving your clean clothes in the washing machine will cause them to start developing mildew after just a few hours, or even sooner if the weather is really hot and humid. Try to move them over to the dryer or line-dry them as soon as possible after you wash them. If you do accidentally leave your laundry in the washing machine for too long, run them through another cycle with some vinegar to help get rid of the smell before you dry them. If you keep your clothing in a damp basement or in a humid environment like the bathroom, moisture from the environment will be absorbed by the fabric, leading to the growth of mildew. Instead, keep your clothes in a well-ventilated closet or a dresser. Plastic dry-cleaner bags can also trap moisture and lead to mildew on your clothing. If the air in your room is extremely humid, place a desiccant like silica gel packets into your dresser drawers or the bottom of your closet. You can purchase these from craft or home improvement stores. Sometimes washing machines, especially front-loading models, can develop mildew, which can then be transferred to your clothes. If you think the washing machine might be the problem, dip a rag in hot, soapy water and clean the gasket around the door and any detergent dispensers, then pour in 1 cup (240mL) of bleach and 1 cup (240mL) of baking soda and run a regular or cleaning cycle. If you like, you can add 12 cup (120mL) of an enzymatic detergent for extra odor-killing power. To prevent mildew from forming in your washing machine, leave the door cracked after each cycle so the machine will dry out, and always remove wet clothes right away.

Summary: Hang damp clothes up to dry right away. Use the recommended amount of detergent. Don't use fabric softener on your workout clothes. Dry your clothes immediately after you wash them. Don't store your clothes in damp rooms like the bathroom or basement. Clean your washing machine if your clothes smell worse after washing.

Your pain should improve if you stay off your feet for 2 days. After 2 days, you shouldn't rest for too long at once, as this could make your symptoms worse. Instead, get up and walk around every half hour. Slow yourself down so that you don't over-stress your back. Don't bend or lift anything. If an activity is causing you pain, then you should avoid it. If your herniated disc is causing you pain, over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen, Advil, naproxen, or Motrin may relieve it. Use them sparingly and only if your doctor approves them. If your pain is still severe, talk to your doctor about other pain relief options, such as prescription painkillers. If you're having muscle spasms, your doctor may prescribe you muscle relaxers. Since medications can cause long-term effects or result in dependence, you should use as little as possible to manage your symptoms. Your doctor can lower the swelling around your vertebrae and nerves with corticosteroids. They will inject them into the area around your herniated disc to relieve some of the pressure. Sometimes your doctor will be able to give you oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, but it isn't as effective as an injection. Most people will see improvement in the weeks after beginning treatment. If you don't, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. The physical therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen your lower back and core muscles. Spinal decompression therapy is a nonsurgical procedure where the spine is stretched out to relieve pain. If you're interested in spinal decompression therapy, talk to your doctor or visit a trained chiropractor or osteopath. Studies on the effectiveness of spinal decompression therapy are limited. Very few people who have a herniated disc will need surgery, but your doctor may recommend it if nothing else helps your symptoms. The doctor will remove the part of the disc that is protruding. In rare cases, the doctor may need to fuse your vertebrae together to keep them stable or may implant an artificial disc. After surgery, your doctor will likely recommend physical therapy. Back pain is no fun, but there are ways to manage the symptoms. You may not be able to get rid of it forever, but you can lower the amount of back pain you experience by giving your lower back some TLC. Get a massage. Do yoga. Visit a chiropractor. Get acupuncture.
Summary: Rest for 1 to 2 days but not longer. Take NSAIDs to cope with pain. Ask your doctor about cortisone injections to reduce inflammation. Do physical therapy if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks. Try spinal decompression therapy. Consider surgery if nothing else works. Manage your lower back pain.