How to Clean Hockey Gear
All hockey parents know about the many sacrifices that come with having a child who plays hockey. They include rising before sunrise, warming up the car on sub-freezing mornings, motoring through snow and becoming chilled to the bone while watching a game. Barring injuries, the most dreaded part of the sport is dealing with the odor that escapes from the equipment bag and the process of cleaning and drying all the gear. Whether you are a parent cleaning your child's equipment, or a player responsible for his or her own gear, there are several ways to approach the cleaning process to ensure that the equipment is ready for the next practice or big game. Skates, sticks and protective equipment need to be in top condition for best performance and safety.
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Things You'll Need
- Dry and damp towels
- Deodorizing foot powder
- Blade sharpener
- Sponge
- Mild soap
- No-tear shampoo
- Mild deodorizing detergent
- Washing machine (options: washroom sink or tub)
- Hair dryer
- Spray (household odorless freshener or disinfectant, or one made specifically for sports gear)
- Fabric softener sheets
- Hockey tape
Instructions
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Empty the hockey bag and clean the gear as soon as you arrive home. If you can't wash it immediately, at least let it air dry. Never leave gear in the bag overnight or for several days.
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Check skates for rips in the boot and nicks in the blades. Wipe them with a damp towel and then a dry towel inside and out. Hang them on separate wall pegs to dry so blades are not in contact with any surface that can cause damage. Sprinkle deodorizing foot powder into the boots when they are dry. Use another pair of skates if boot rips are significant and can't be repaired. Dull and nicked blades can be fixed with a special hand-held tool. Other blade care options are to sharpen them at the pro shop located at most rinks, or have them replaced.
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Inspect the helmet for loose or broken snaps and straps. Make sure the cage (and the plastic throat guard for goalies) remains secured to the helmet. Replace the helmet if it has cracks or indentations. Wipe perspiration from the inside with a dry towel. With a damp towel or sponge that can include mild soap, clean the inside and outside. If you use soap, rinse well to remove all residue. Consider using no-tear shampoo instead of soap to prevent lingering residue from entering eyes during the next game. Dry the helmet with a towel and let air do the rest.
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Wash jerseys (or, in proper hockey vernacular, sweaters), socks, pants, undergarments and other items with a mild detergent by hand in a sink or tub, or by dropping them into the washing machine. Follow specific washing and drying directions for uniform tops and pants. The other items can be handled as regular laundry.
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Wipe down shin guards and goalie pads with a damp towel. Follow with a dry towel and let the air handle the rest.
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Remove or loosen straps and pull apart sections that are attached by Velcro before cleaning shoulder pads and goalie chest protectors. Either hand wash or use a washing machine on gentle cycle. These items should air dry.
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Wipe the outside of skater gloves, goalie gloves and goalie blockers with a damp towel and then use a dry towel. The inside is another problem. Perspiration soaks into the leather and cloth interiors. Use a hair dryer set to the lowest setting for several minutes to remove some of the interior moisture, especially down to the finger tips. Prop the gloves open so air can circulate and complete the drying process.
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After cleaning and drying, apply a minimum amount of spray freshener or disinfectant to the exterior of equipment. Do not apply to skates and helmets.
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Tips & Warnings
A hockey tree or hockey gear hanger will help organize equipment for air drying. Painted or sticker logos on helmets could be damaged by soap, so use only dry and damp towels on these surfaces if they are decorated. Don't forget to clean the bag. Wipe it down inside and out with a damp cloth and spray it with a freshener. Allow to dry. Place a fabric softener sheet inside the bag to help reduce odor. Check the sticks. Wipe them with a towel. Make sure they are not splintering, or weakened, which will cause a stick to snap while on the ice. Re-tape the handle for a better grip. Re-tape the blade for better puck control. Don't take a stick with any known defects onto the ice.
The unpleasant odor associated with hockey gear is created from the combination of the cold playing environment and the perspiration that is released by the body. The result can cause bacteria and fungi growth on the equipment. In some cases, players have suffered infections when skin has come in contact with unclean gear. If you use a washing machine, the front loading, non-agitator kind is the best option as it treats the equipment more gently than the top loader machine with an agitator.
