How to Deodorize Hockey Clothing

Hockey clothes, including uniforms and protective pads, often develop a strong odor after even a short period of play because they absorb the perspiration caused by the exertion and physical contact of the game. Some leagues and associations offer cleaning services for uniforms and gear, but if yours does not, or if you just play for exercise and enjoyment, you can easily deodorize your own hockey clothing. You just need to use a scented detergent when machine washing the washable parts of your uniform or protective clothing, and to hand wash and disinfect parts that cannot be washed.

Things You'll Need

  • Laundry detergent
  • Fabric softener
  • Fabric freshener
  • Basin or utility sink stopper
  • Rubber gloves
  • Aerosol or pump-spray disinfectant
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the care labels of all of your hockey clothing and separate the machine-washable clothing from the hand-wash only articles. Remove the pads from your shoulder protectors to find out whether they can be machine-washed.

    • 2

      Spray a pre-wash stain remover on any parts of your machine-washable clothing that are especially stained with perspiration.

    • 3

      Load all machine-washable clothing and gear into your washing machine if it is a front-loader, or take it to a laundromat if you have a top-loading machine with an agitator. Set the dial or control panel to a gentle wash cycle at a medium temperature.

    • 4

      Add a liquid or powdered detergent with a strong scent such as lemon to the machine according to package and machine instructions. Add a scented fabric softener if you wish.

    • 5

      Allow the machine to complete the cycle and remove the clothing from the machine. Let the clothing drip-dry. Spray all washed clothing with fabric freshener when wet or wait until it dries, depending upon the package instructions.

    • 6

      Mix hand-washing detergent with cool water in a basin or in your stoppered utility sink according to package instructions.

    • 7

      Immerse any hand-washable clothing and gear into the detergent and water mixture and move them around in the mixture with your gloved hand. Allow the clothing to soak in the mixture for about an hour and then rinse it in water.

    • 8

      Let the clothing drip-dry. Spray it with fabric deodorizer or spray disinfectant either while it is still wet or after it dries, depending upon package instructions.

    • 9

      Wear your clothing for your next match, and repeat all steps as soon as possible after every match so that bacteria present in perspiration-soaked clothing does not have a chance to multiply and cause the odor to set in.