How to Clean Hockey Pads

Clean your hockey pads with ease.

After you have played a few games in your hockey gear, you will notice that the shoulder pads, elbow pads and shin pads will begin to emit an odor that smells like a combination of sweat, mold, and mildew. Instead of purchasing new pads, you easily can clean the hockey pads yourself. The key to cleaning your hockey pads is to be gentle and use the right type of products to ensure they are clean and free of stench.

Things You'll Need

• Front load washing machine
• Mild deodorizing detergent
• Dryer
• Deodorizing spray

Instructions

Hand Wash

1. Plug the drain of a small sink or basin.

2. Pour a small cap full of mild deodorizing detergent into the sink.

3. Fill the sink with warm water. While the water is filling the sink, stir the water with your hands to mix the detergent with the water. Turn off the water when the sink is almost full.

4. Place your hockey pads into the sink of water. Allow the pads to sit in the water for 5 to 10 minutes.

5. Handwash the hockey pads in the sink. This is done by swishing the pads around in the soapy water. You should also repetitively squeeze the pads while they are in the soapy water so the detergent is worked thoroughly through the pads.

6. Drain the soapy water from the sink. Repeat steps 1 through 6 if your pads are extremely dirty.

7. Plug the drain of the sink again. Fill the sink with warm water.

8. Place the pads into the sink of clear water. Swish and squeeze the pads around in the clear water to thoroughly rinse the detergent from the pads.

9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 to ensure that all soap is removed from the pads.

10. Squeeze all of the excess water from the hockey pads.

11. Dry the hockey pads. You can dry the pads by placing them in a dryer for about 15 minutes. Ensure that the heat cycle is set to low. You can also air dry your hockey pads by hanging them in a well-ventilated area.

12. Spray your dry hockey pads with a deodorizing spray to remove any lingering odor.

Washing Machine

1. Fill your front load washing machine with warm water. Ensure that the machine is set to “Gentle” or “Delicate” cycle. A front load washing machine is recommended instead of a top load machine because the straps on the pads can get tangled in the agitator (spinner) that is inside of the top load machine.

2. Add a cap full of mild deodorizing detergent to the rising water.

3. Place your hockey pads into the washing machine. Close the washing machine lid so the washing and rinse cycle can complete.

4. Remove the hockey pads from the washing machine after the last spin cycle is complete.

5. Dry the hockey pads by placing them in the dryer or a well-ventilated area. Spray your dry hockey pads with a deodorizing spray to remove any lingering odor.

References

• Made Man: How To Clean Hockey Pads
• Youth Hockey Forum: Cleaning Ice Hockey Equipment
• Thornbury Trading Company: Sweet Smelling Hockey Gear