HOW DO I CLEAN HOCKEY GEAR & HOW?
It's not practical to wash the gear after every use, in fact, doing so will shorten the pads' effective life span, by breaking them down. The most effective control is to allow the pads to air dry completely after each use. Do not store gear in the bag. If you store them even a little damp for even a little while, then you aren't controlling anything. There are many commercially available gear deodorizers & most of them work well to different degrees. All of them suggest that the gear be allowed to dry completely after application of the product.
Helmets should be rinsed before drying. Holding under a shower head for a few seconds will do very well.
Cups and supporters can be washed with dark clothes in the washing machine (take out the plastic cup!).
Shoulder Pads, Elbow Pads and Shin Guards can also be washed in the dishwasher without detergent (too much bleach), on the top rack and without the dry cycle (too much heat). Or... see the cleaning method noted below that we've used!
HOW OFTEN?
Before the season (particularly for "New to You" used gear from our Equipment Exchange/Issue) or at the end of the season to store for Summer or for turning in before next season.
CLEANING GEAR AT HOME (SEE THE PDF BELOW!)
Here's a home solution that works for many. Fill the tub ("jet tubs" are best...) with as hot of water as your water heater can make. Add in a splash of vinegar and 1/3 cup of Oxy Clean. Put in the gear. Get a broom handle or something similar and get the gear all under the suds/water - let soak for 5-7 minutes (or, if applicable, turn on the jets as this will clean those out too!), then flip the gear over & repeat.
Drain the tub and either refill with warm to hot water to rinse or just rinse the gear off and set aside (or put into a laundry basket) to take outside or to the garage to hang up. AVOID DRYING IN YOUR DRYER IF AT ALL POSSIBLE!
Drying gear in the sun is probably the best method to kill the "cooties" and get rid of some of the smell. Even if the sun isn't practical.... fully air drying the gear will help out a great deal. It will dry out completely between practices and games so long as you hang it or lay it out soon after practice.
