How to Clean Football Shoulder Pads
Dirty, smelly football equipment is worn as a badge of honor by many players, but there are consequences: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 percent of people carry asymptomatic staph bacteria. These bacteria thrive on surfaces such as wet sports equipment and can be spread among players.
Cleaning and disinfecting football equipment, including shoulder pads, will kill bacteria and help keep players healthy and on the field.
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Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
- Disinfectant spray
- Odor-repellent spray
- Mesh laundry bag
- Cloth
Instructions
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Hose off your shoulder pads and hang them in an open area to air-dry.
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Take off removable parts such as straps, cap pads, clavicle channels and neck rolls. Wash these items separately.
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Spray the foam and cloth portions of the pads with a disinfectant. Make sure you are outside or in a well-ventilated area. You can follow this treatment by spraying your pads with an odor-repellent spray such as Febreze.
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Wipe the plastic shells with a damp cloth. If necessary, use regular soap to remove dirt from the plastic.
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Hang the pads and let them air-dry.
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Launder the cloth parts, like straps and laces, on a gentle cycle in a mesh washing bag. Tumble-dry these parts on a low setting or allow them to air-dry.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear a T-shirt under your shoulder pads. This will help keep your pads clean and help you avoid chafing from the straps.
At the end of the season, you can send your shoulder pads back to the manufacturer to be reconditioned. This includes a thorough cleaning and sanitizing process.
You can also buy a drying rack to hang your football equipment. However, avoid using the popular stacking models in the locker room, as players are likely to stack wet pads on top of each other and exacerbate the problem.
Do not leave sweaty or wet shoulder pads in a confined space such as a locker or sports bag. This will only contribute to the bacterial growth and smell on the pads. Wait for your equipment to dry completely before storing it.
To help prevent the spread of bacteria, keep dirty equipment away from sanitary items such as towels and bandages.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Football image by Richard McGuirk from Fotolia.com
