Cleaning Hockey Gear

For hockey to be played safely, it takes a lot of gear. Besides uniforms, which generally consist of a jersey, pants and gloves, hockey players also wear a variety of protective equipment, including shoulder and chest pads, shin guards and helmets. After a hard game and plenty of sweating, any of this gear can be in severe need of cleaning. If you don't have the time or money for a professional wash, there are a few techniques you can utilize to clean hockey gear on your own.

  1. Use A Washing Machine

    • While it is not advisable to throw professional-level hockey gear into a machine, most amateur hockey gear will not suffer much wear from being machine-washed. The best machines to use are the large front-loading washing machines found in laundromats. The top-loading machines found in most homes have an agitator in the middle that straps and threads can get stuck on. Turn the dial on the washing machine to the gentle cycle and use a heavy-duty deodorizing detergent to more effectively remove bacteria and odor. When the items are done washing, lay them out on a flat surface to dry.

    Wash By Hand

    • It's not as simple as throwing gear into a machine, but it causes less wear. Fill a bathtub with detergent and hot water, which is more effective at killing bacteria than cold water. Submerge the uniforms and pads into the water. Let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash by hand, scrubbing thoroughly at commonly smelly places like the underarms and crotch areas. When you are finished washing, rinse each item until the water runs clear and lay the items out flat to dry.

    Cleaning A Helmet

    • Hockey helmets can be cleaned with any type of mild soap and water. Use a sponge in the soap and water mixture to wipe the helmet on both the inside and outside. When you are finished cleaning, rinse the helmet thoroughly, especially on the inside and set out until dry.

    Skates

    • The best way to keep skates clean is to make sure they get completely dry after each wearing. Placing them on the register of a heater or blowing them dry with a blow dryer following use will help them stay fresh. You also can spray disinfectant into the shoes occasionally and sprinkle the insides with powder to help prevent them from holding smell.

    Keep Your Bag Fresh

    • Don't leave your gear sitting in the bag that you carry it in. When you get home, remove your gear from the bag immediately and hang to dry. Place dryer sheets in your gear bag to keep it fresh between uses. You can even leave the sheets in there to help keep your gear fresh. Just remember to change the dryer sheets out after each use of your gear.