4 Ways to Wash Hockey Gear - wikiHow (2024)

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1Preventing Odors

2Using the Washing Machine

3Hand-Washing Equipment

4Cleaning Other Gear

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Last Updated: January 6, 2021References

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The stench of hockey gear is the worst! But it’s okay—you can enjoy playing the sport and stave off the smell to appease cries from family and friends. All it takes is commitment to drying your gear after each use, the space to let it all dry, and proper cleaning once a month. Easy, peasy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Preventing Odors

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  1. 1

    Wear full-body base layers to absorb the bulk of your sweat. Long sleeve shirts, pants, and socks made of wicking or compression material will work best to absorb the sweat. These layers will also create a barrier between you and your gear—keeping it from absorbing dead skin particles and body oils, which contribute to the growth of bacteria.[1]

    • Bacteria causes that distinct hockey smell and it likes to grow in warm, moist places, which makes hockey gear a literal breeding ground.
    • Keeping your equipment clean of bacteria isn’t just to keep away the smell—it’s an important preventative measure against infections. When injured playing hockey, bacteria from your gear can directly enter open wounds and result in ghastly—sometimes life-threatening—staph infections.[2]
  2. 2

    Get in the rink with fresh socks. The socks you’ve been wearing all day are already sweaty and building bacteria. Wearing a new pair to play will help keep your skates smelling better.

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  3. 3

    Hang your equipment to dry every time you get home from the rink. This is the most important step to prevent bacteria growth and smell. Using a drying rack or specially-designed equipment rack to hang your gear off of the floor allows air to circulate, which results in faster drying speed (and therefore, less bacteria), but also ensures that air gets to all parts of the gear.

    • Hang your: jersey, helmet, gloves, skates, jockstraps, elbow and shoulder pads, and pulled-out shin pads. After hung, you can lightly spray them with white vinegar (a natural disinfectant) or other anti-bacterial agent to keep them clean longer.
    • Hang your athletic bag to dry after each use. Every time you come off the rink, you fill it will all that sweaty equipment, so it’s bound to grow bacteria. Turn it inside-out and leave it upside-down to dry.
    • Use a fan or dehumidifier to help everything dry faster.[3]
  4. 4

    Remove skate inserts to dry separately after each use. Also pull open the tongue of the skate so air can circulate. This will help the whole skate dry and prevent rusting. If the blades aren’t already dry, wipe them with a dry cloth.[4]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using the Washing Machine

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  1. 1

    Wash your base layers every time you leave the rink. Keeping those layers clean will prevent buildup on your gear. If you let them sit in your laundry, bacteria will continue to grow, making them harder to keep clean long-term.

    • Between the rink and your house, keep your base layers in a separate plastic bag to prevent them from contaminating the rest of your gear.
  2. 2

    Wash your protective equipment once a month. Use the washing machine for everything but your helmet and skates. The machine is completely safe for your jersey, jock (cup removed and Velcro fastened), shin pads, hockey pants and shorts, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and gloves.[5]

    • If your gear is particularly stinky, start by soaking it in the washer. You can do so with just water, or you can add a cup of white vinegar to the water to help kill the bacteria.[6] Let it soak for fifteen minutes, then drain, add detergent, and begin a new washing cycle.
    • Make sure any Velcro is fastened. Leaving it loose will cause everything to get tangled in the washer and may pull and rip at the materials.
    • If you’re using a top loading machine, be careful not to overload it. You may have to divide into 2 loads. Without space to spin around, the gear won’t be cleaned properly—but more importantly, it may cause breakage.
  3. 3

    Use warm water, regular detergent, and the gentle cycle. Warm water, regular detergent, and the gentle cycle will be strong enough to really clean your gear, but not so harsh that they damage the materials.[7]

    • Never use bleach or detergent with bleach in it. It is too harsh and will break down your equipment and ruin your padding.[8]
  4. 4

    Dry your gear in the dryer on the low setting. Any protective equipment without leather can go in the dryer. However, if this makes you uncomfortable, you can air dry everything on a rack so that it’s not lying on the floor, and use a fan or dehumidifier to help speed the process.

    • It’s perfectly safe to dry your base layers, socks, jock, and jerseys in the dryer.[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Hand-Washing Equipment

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  1. 1

    Start with a freshly cleaned tub, rinsed free of harsh chemicals. You may actually add new bacteria to your gear if you don't make sure to clean your tub before putting your equipment in it.

  2. 2

    Fill ⅓ of the tub with hot water and add a ¼ cup of laundry detergent. It's best to add the detergent while the tub is filling so that it mixes more evenly with the water. You may add 1 cup of white vinegar to the water to boost its antibacterial effectiveness. Never use bleach or detergent with bleach in it.

  3. 3

    Put in all of the gear (minus the helmet and skates) into the tub. Hold each item down until it stays submerged and doesn’t float. Let the equipment soak for 45 minutes to an hour.

  4. 4

    Drain and rinse the tub of soap. Refill the tub with clean water and let the gear soak for five minutes, swishing it around a bit to help rinse out the soap. Drain the tub again and rinse out each item individually, until the water runs clear and there is no more soap.

  5. 5

    Wring out as much water as you can before hanging on a rack to dry. After you've initially wrung out everything, you may want to wrap each item in a towel and wring it out again to help dry it as much as possible. Make sure the drying rack is placed in a well-ventilated area. Using a fan or dehumidifier will significantly speed the drying process.[10]

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Cleaning Other Gear

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  1. 1

    Clean your helmet with tear-free shampoo. Dab a bit of the shampoo on a wet (not dripping) towel and scrub the whole helmet inside and out, including the face mask and chin cup. Once applied, wipe out the soap with another wet towel and hang it to dry.

    • Tear-free shampoo prevents any stinging that could occur if residue remains on the surface and drips onto your face the next time you use it.
    • Instead of shampoo, you can easily substitute white vinegar in this process. Vinegar is a better disinfectant; but, it could burn a bit if some leftover residue drips into your eyes when you're sweating.
  2. 2

    Disinfect your skate inserts. Using a sponge or cleaning brush, scrub inserts thoroughly with a 50-50 white vinegar and water mix or antibacterial soap.[11] Rinse and hang to dry completely before your next use. In between cleanings, you can lightly spray the inserts with vinegar or antibacterial spray help keep them clean longer.

  3. 3

    Sanitize your athletic bag to prevent cross contamination. Once you've cleaned your gear, you shouldn't put it back into a dirty bag. Wipe your athletic bag out with white vinegar, disinfectant, or antibacterial spray and let it dry completely before putting your equipment back in.[12]

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      About This Article

      4 Ways to Wash Hockey Gear - wikiHow (32)

      Co-authored by:

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 31,783 times.

      22 votes - 91%

      Co-authors: 4

      Updated: January 6, 2021

      Views:31,783

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      Reader Success Stories

      • 4 Ways to Wash Hockey Gear - wikiHow (33)

        Anonymous

        Jun 7, 2018

        "If you don't have vinegar, lemon juice will work."

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      4 Ways to Wash Hockey Gear - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How do you wash a hockey jacket? ›

      Another tip when washing hockey jerseys is that it's crucial to use only cold water. This is because warm or hot water can damage the intricate details of the uniform. In addition, it also can possibly shrink the jersey over time. For this reason, using cold water is the best way to clean a hockey jersey.

      How to wash Hockey gloves at home? ›

      Here's a quick rundown on how to wash hockey gloves the right way:
      1. Remove any objects. ...
      2. Remove the liners. ...
      3. Read the instructions. ...
      4. Machine wash with activewear detergent. ...
      5. Use a warm or hot water cycle. ...
      6. Hang to air dry.

      How often do you wash hockey gear? ›

      We recommend sanitizing your sports gear a minimum of every 6 weeks or 15-20 uses. Ask about the Ultimate Clean Package at your local Fresh Gear outlet. If available, it provides UNLIMITED cleaning for 1 full year at one low price.

      Can you wash hockey gear? ›

      You can wash everything except helmets and skates in a warm-water load in your washing machine: chest protector, elbow pads, shin-guards, jock, pants, socks, neck-guard and even the gloves.

      How do you wash a hockey helmet? ›

      Your helmet will inevitably get drenched in sweat after every game or practice and will eventually start to smell similar to the rest of your gear. As such, you should occasionally clean your helmet by scrubbing it with a wet towel and a small amount of soap or shampoo.

      Can you wash hockey jerseys? ›

      Use a gentle cycle and cold water.

      Set your washing machine to the delicate cycle, even though your jersey is made for rough hockey play, you want it to stay as new as possible.

      What is the best way to clean hockey visor? ›

      Dampen the visor with water and pour a small amount of mild liquid soap onto a damp cloth or other non-abrasive fabric, then gently remove anything that should not be there!

      How do you wash a hockey hoodie? ›

      For the best results always wash your jersey by itself, turn it inside out, use cold water, use a gentle cycle, use a color safe detergent, and say no to fabric softener. Never, under any circ*mstances, put a hockey jersey in a dryer. Hope this helped!

      How do I make my hockey gear not smell? ›

      Hang helmets, gloves and skates on an “equipment tree” or a drying rack to circulate air through the interior spaces, and do not let gear with large surface areas (such as chest protectors) remain on the floor. Dehumidifiers and fans are also helpful, as odor-causing bacteria thrives in a warm, moist environment.

      How do you clean dirty hockey gloves? ›

      If you're tired of stinky hockey gloves or can't seem to get their smell off your hands, it's time to wash them! Toss your dirty gloves in the washing machine along with your favorite detergent and cleaning booster. If you don't have a washing machine, you can hand wash the gloves in the sink.

      How do you get rid of smelly hands in hockey? ›

      Items such as Clorox wipes, rubbing alcohol, Febreeze, and Lysol all work great. But let pads dry completely after wiping them down with cleaning products because skin irritation can be a downside if the pads are still wet with cleaning products and then worn.

      Can I wash hockey gear in hot water? ›

      You can wash everything except helmets and skates in a warm-water load in your washing machine: chest protector, elbow pads, shin-guards, jock, pants, socks, neck-guard and even the gloves.

      How do you clean hockey equipment for kids? ›

      Washing Machine

      Use a gentle detergent free of bleaching agents that are harmful to the materials in your pads and gloves. Pre-soaking everything for an hour with warm water and a cup of vinegar will help kill some of that bacteria before heading into the wash for a more thorough clean.

      How do you wash hockey socks? ›

      Wash in cold water, tumble dry low.

      How do you wash skate gear? ›

      Throw them in the washing machine on the delicate cycle with about three-quarters of a cup of washing detergent. When the washer fills up with water, pause the cycle so the pads can soak in the soap for about 30 minutes. Then, unpause the machine and let if finish.

      Can you wash hockey equipment in washing machine? ›

      If your hockey equipment already smells though there is an easy way to clean it: Put it in the washing machine! Yes, it is that easy.

      How do you clean a hockey shield? ›

      How to Clean a Hockey Visor. Use a cleaning product specifically designed for hockey visors, like GearHalo Visor Spray. Be sure to follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Some players remove their face shields from their helmets then hand wash their visors with a very mild soap like Dawn or baby shampoo.

      Can you wash hockey goalie gloves? ›

      Hand wash them: Goalkeeper gloves don't do well in the washer. Make sure that you always hand wash the gloves. If you put them through the washing machine, it's very likely that they will get damaged. They also won't get as clean as they need to be in the washer.

      How do you dry hockey gear after washing? ›

      Hang it up to dry and you're all set! This is a quick and easy process that everyone should do at least once a month depending on how often you play. Technically, you can just wash your gear in the washing machine like you would with most other clothes, but the problem is the spin cycle.

      How do you wash hockey jerseys and socks? ›

      To keep your jersey looking as new as possible, you'd want to wash it using a gentle cycle with cold water. Do not put your jersey in a dryer.

      Can you laundry strip hockey gear? ›

      It's a long process, it takes a while, but it's actually really fun." McAllister said stripping also works on bedding, towels, gym clothes, shoes, even hockey equipment.

      Can you wash jerseys normally? ›

      Clean your jersey in a washer

      Use cold water for washing your jersey. Hot water may cause fading, shrinking, and damage to the decals. Use good quality, bleach-less, and color-protecting (powdered) detergent powder. Liquid detergents do not dissolve well and contain elements that can ruin your jersey.

      How do I make my hockey visor not fog? ›

      Here are a few tips you can try to keep your fishbowl from fogging up:
      1. Use Baby Shampoo. ...
      2. Try Regular Shampoo. ...
      3. Use DON & JON'S Antifog Extreme Spray. ...
      4. Use Windex or Pledge Before a Game. ...
      5. Try No Sweat Hockey Liners. ...
      6. Breathe Downwards on the Bench. ...
      7. Switch to a Cage.

      How do you clean a blurry helmet visor? ›

      Use a mild dish soap or visor cleaner to clean the exterior surface. For the interior of the visor, use a baby shampoo. Keep in mind, motorcycle visors typically have a special anti-scratch coating on the exterior of the visor and an anti-fog shield on the interior side of the visor.

      How do you wash a Nike hockey jersey? ›

      For added protection, put the inside-out jersey in a garment bag before washing. Wash in cold water and on a gentle cycle. Washing in cold water helps prevent fading, shrinking or damage to letters or numbers on the jersey. Avoid using fabric softener.

      How do you whiten a hockey jersey? ›

      Use the most delicate cycle and the coldest setting on your washing machine. We suggest adding about 2 TBSP of OxiClean for each jersey you're washing, but don't add any other detergent. As a general rule with jersey stain removal, most people hang their jerseys to dry.

      How do you wash a hoodie fast? ›

      Turn the sweatshirt inside out. Wash on delicate or hand wash your sweatshirts. Avoid using a dryer and lay your sweatshirts out flat. If you're in a rush, use a low heat setting.

      How do you clean smelly sports gear? ›

      For eliminating odor, try adding a quarter-cup to a half-cup — again, depending on load size — of white vinegar or baking soda to the wash. A product like Zero Odor Laundry works, too. You can also try a sports detergent, like Tide Sport, Sport Suds or HEX Performance Detergent, which are formulated to address odors.

      How do you deodorize sports gear? ›

      Here are seven things you can do to help eliminate the stink in your athletic clothing and equipment:
      1. Air Out Your Equipment. ...
      2. Turn Clothes Inside Out Before Washing. ...
      3. Use the Sniff Test. ...
      4. Less Detergent Is More Detergent. ...
      5. Don't Use Fabric Softener. ...
      6. Disinfect What You Can't Throw in the Wash. ...
      7. Deodorizing Tips from the Pros.
      Jan 31, 2018

      Do NHL locker rooms smell? ›

      Nobody wants to be the smelly kid, but in hockey, who doesn't stink? The smell of a hockey bag or locker room is as much a part of the game as sticks and pucks. Even though the odor is synonymous with the game, it's pretty tough to describe to those unfamiliar with its aromatic nuances. “It's just its own smell.

      How do you deep clean gloves? ›

      Wash the outside of the gloves with an anti-bacterial soap or solution and warm water to remove dirt and debris. Turn the gloves inside out and wash in the same anti-bacterial soap or solution and warm water that was used to wash the outside of the gloves. Rinse the gloves with warm water and hang to dry.

      What do NHL players smell? ›

      Smelling Salts for Athletes

      Today, smelling salts are still widely used in the NHL, the NFL, and powerlifting and strongman competitions. They cause a quick burst of adrenaline which athletes believe helps them perform better despite the fact that science suggests the effects of smelling salts are extremely brief.

      What do hockey players smell to wake up? ›

      More recently, athletes have begun to use smelling salts with the belief that their use will keep them more alert. The use of smelling salts is particularly popular among football and hockey players who believe this reflex will counteract the effects of concussion.

      Why do my fingers stink? ›

      The potent odour residues on your hands come from sulfur molecules in foods. Due to our skin's natural oil, the sulfur molecules are easy to “stick” around your hands, which makes odours linger. An efficient exfoliating hand scrub helps loosen any build-up of sulfur molecules and dirt for a deeper cleanse.

      Can hockey equipment be washed in washing machine? ›

      If your hockey equipment already smells though there is an easy way to clean it: Put it in the washing machine! Yes, it is that easy.

      Can you wash kids hockey equipment? ›

      Most gear — except helmets, skates, and goalie pads — can be washed in the washing machine. Use a gentle detergent free of bleaching agents that are harmful to the materials in your pads and gloves.

      Can you wash sports equipment? ›

      Throw a cup of white vinegar in with a half-dose of laundry detergent to eliminate odors and wash away build up. Wash sports clothes inside out in cold water with sports specific detergents. Toss in a quarter or half cup of vinegar or baking soda for the particularly pungent loads.

      What do you spray on hockey equipment? ›

      Clear Gear Spray keeps hockey gear odor and bacteria free. To help prevent odor and infections, use Clear Gear Spray after every hockey game and practice on the following: Helmets, chin straps, and cages.

      How do you machine wash sports clothes? ›

      How to wash sports clothes
      1. Dry your clothes. ...
      2. Turn your clothes inside out. ...
      3. Wash your sportswear in cold water. ...
      4. Add scent boosters. ...
      5. Stay away from fabric softeners. ...
      6. Avoid machine drying your sportswear. ...
      7. Refresh your gym bag with dryer sheets.

      Can you hand wash a hockey jersey? ›

      No problem. You can always wash your jerseys by hand. Simply use a hand washing detergent.

      How do you clean hockey goalie gear? ›

      Washing. Chest & Arm Protectors and Pants should be hand washed only in cold water with a mild detergent. Lightly scrub the item, using a sponge, and then rinse thoroughly. Item should be allowed to air dry.

      How do I keep my hockey gear from smelling? ›

      Hang helmets, gloves and skates on an “equipment tree” or a drying rack to circulate air through the interior spaces, and do not let gear with large surface areas (such as chest protectors) remain on the floor. Dehumidifiers and fans are also helpful, as odor-causing bacteria thrives in a warm, moist environment.

      How do NHL players dry their equipment? ›

      He and the rest of the equipment staff wait in the tunnel as players exit the ice, grabbing gloves from each player and placing them on the coils of a glove-drying machine. Gloves sit on the machine while a blower fan dries them out, so they'll be fresh to use by the time the next period begins.

      What are 5 pieces of equipment used in hockey? ›

      Hockey players need:
      • Helmet. When it comes to preventing serious injuries, this is the most important piece of equipment. ...
      • Skates. As with helmets, be sure to get skates that fit well. ...
      • Shoulder pads, elbow pads, knee and shin pads. ...
      • Hockey pants. ...
      • Gloves. ...
      • Athletic supporter and cup. ...
      • Neck protector. ...
      • Mouthguard.

      What kills mold on hockey equipment? ›

      Spray the affected area with Concrobium Mold Control and allow to dry thoroughly. As it dries, Concrobium will crush and eliminate the existing mold spores at the roots.

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