The proper care and cleanliness of hockey equipment is not only important for your health and hygiene, but is also integral in keeping you at your best on and off the ice. Despite players becoming used to the smell of equipment, if left too long, the odors can permeate bags, car trunks garages and homes.
The following are some of the most common issues with equipment maintenance and what you can do to eliminate odors and potential illness. Keep in mind that odors are caused by bacteria and sweat and should not be ignored. Doing so may result in mold and mildew soaking into the fibers of your gear, which can result in breakdown and deterioration.
Helmets & Skates
The perspiration and warmth in your hockey helmet create the perfect setting for bacteria to thrive. Feet sweat. This damp environment in which bacteria grows can be particularly dangerous if a cut on your foot or toe is exposed due to not being bandaged properly. Illness results when bacteria enter the bloodstream. A good first step in healthy skate hygiene is to always wear socks with your skates and remove the insoles after a game or practice, to let them dry thoroughly.
Helmets and skates can be sprayed with a disinfectant spray such as Lysol. A soapy cloth can be used to wash down the outside of the helmet after games.
Shin Pads & Other Gear
As one of the most heavily contaminated pieces of equipment, shin pads should always be worn with a layer of clothing in between, to avoid direct contact with your skin. Shin pads can be washed in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with warm water and mild detergent. Hang to dry in a well-ventilated space during the winter months our outdoors in warmer ones. Front loading machines tend to tumble the equipment the best. A cup of laundry booster or Borax can help with this job as can a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. In addition, other items can also be put through the washer: Socks, jerseys, base layers, pants, shoulder pads & elbow pads. For your jock, take the cup out and do up the Velcro to prevent sticking.
Gloves & Chest Protectors
While all hockey equipment is prone to germs and odors, gloves end up the smelliest. These items can be wiped down and air-dried, to prevent cracking.
Professional Sanitization
When you are looking for a deep clean and sanitization, consider a professional treatment that is quick and inexpensive. Companies such as Clean Equipment offer a full service sanitization process for your gear that can be done in about an hour. Whether it’s at the rink or on site at one of many locations, they are experts at keeping your equipment pristine through top quality sanitization technology at a very reasonable cost. Services start at around $35.00. In addition, Clean Equipment’s services can protect you from unwanted infection and illness that may occur when soil and bacteria present in your equipment come in contact with injuries or cuts, including antibiotic resistant strains such as MRSA. These types of bacteria tend to thrive in small spaces with poor hygiene. Simply keeping your items in the best possible condition can reduce these unwanted problems. By killing germs 3200 times quicker than chlorine bleach alone, Clean Equipment’s cleaning machine gets the job done quickly and effectively.
