How to Clean a Football Mouthpiece

The game is over, the uniform is filthy and now you have to wash everything in preparation for the next game. The obvious uniform components such as the jersey, socks, pads and helmet are frequently cleaned, but stop and think about the football mouthpiece. This integral part of each player's uniform is often overlooked. Here's how to clean the football mouthpiece.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water
• Pot or microwaveable bowl
• Food-grade hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
• Small bowl (large enough to fit mouthpiece)

1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil or microwave a bowl of water and bring it to a boil.

2. Dip the mouthpiece into the water for just long enough to sterilize, but not long enough to melt. Depending on the thickness of the mouthpiece this could take anywhere from 15 seconds to a minute.

3. Take mouthpiece out of water and let it cool and dry.

4. Pour hydrogen peroxide into a small bowl.

5. Place the mouthpiece into the bowl of hydrogen peroxide. Make sure there is enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the mouthpiece completely. If there are remaining bacteria on the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece will begin to foam.

6. Repeat Step 5 with fresh hydrogen peroxide until the mouthpiece no longer foams.

7. Rinse the mouthpiece with cold water to wash off all of the remaining hydrogen peroxide.

Tips & Warnings

• Rubber mouthpieces melt quickly. Do not leave the mouthpiece unattended in the boiling water.
• If the mouthpiece has begun to melt, pull it out of the boiling water immediately and submerge it in cold water. Test the mouthpiece to ensure that it conforms to the impressions of mouthpiece owner's teeth.

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