Cleaning your Equipment

[habookus 1]

So my equipment has always smelled horrible, and I have excepted it and embraced it. But I haven't washed it in years and I'm starting to get these little rashes on the inside of my knees which burn like hell, I'm guessing its exczema (which i've had before, between my bicep and forearm). Besides the appearance of the rash, I just feel like there are some nasty things living in my shin/elbow/shoulder pads etc. I don't wanna drop money on professional cleaning, so I was wondering what some of you guys recommend as home remedies, i.e. soaking them in some kind of solution overnight, washing machine? I have no clue when it comes to good cleaning methods. Thanks.

[Michael9 57]

Well i put my protective equipment in the dishwasher. Pants, shoulder pads, shin pads, elbow pads. I just don't let it dry in the dishwasher. I let it dry by it's self. The dishwasher method has removed all the bad smell from my gear.

[BK 0]

This topic comes up more than "what is the next skate from X brand".

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...616&hl=wash

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...079&hl=wash

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...49&hl=clean

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...82&hl=clean

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...70&hl=clean

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...00&hl=clean

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...701&hl=wash

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...657&hl=wash

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...99&hl=stink

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...37&hl=stink

[TBLfan 25]

is it really soo hard to air out your equipment. The only piece of equipment I have that actually smells is one pair of gloves and it was because I didn't air them out a couple times after playing roller. Everything else smells fine. All I do is take all my gear out and lay it out on the floor under a ceiling fan, it sits there for about 12ish hours and it's dry and smell free.

[mack 44]

Some people may have roommates who aren't tolerant to levels of funk that high.

[TBLfan 25]

If you do it from the start you never get the funk! That's the whole point.

While there are exceptions of people that can't do it most can.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

When my stuff gets too noticeable in the odor department, I usually steam them with a handheld clothing steamer, then I let them air dry and put fabric softener sheets on the equipment halfway through.

[MLSman 22]

If you do it from the start you never get the funk! That's the whole point.

While there are exceptions of people that can't do it most can.

Totally agree. After every wear, I take all my gear out to air it out, and spray it all with Lysol. Keeps it clean and bacteria free...for the most part.

[mack 44]

I've never smelt anything sweat-soaked that didn't at least smell like sweat. That's not not funk-free, but I don't live in Magical Land where everything is roses.

[tips09 0]

If you do it from the start you never get the funk! That's the whole point.

While there are exceptions of people that can't do it most can.

Totally agree. After every wear, I take all my gear out to air it out, and spray it all with Lysol. Keeps it clean and bacteria free...for the most part.

i have heard from a few people that its bad to spray your gear with lysol/febreeze and stuff like that because the chemicals in the spray are not good for your skin.

[Sghockey21 1]

Do you wear underwear under all your gear? I think they really help cut down the smell that gets into the equipment.

[TBLfan 25]

I do, nike dry fit loose shirt and compression jock. Seriously, nothing smells. Maybe it's just because I dont play defense. ;)

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

Do you wear underwear under all your gear? I think they really help cut down the smell that gets into the equipment.

That's probably why my pants never really smell. I think the only stuff of mine that gets bad is my gloves, elbow pads, and shins. I just got new elbow pads and I think i'll be wearing long sleeve shirts under them so it will probably keep the odor down. However, I can't be comfortable having anything below my thighs so the shins will remain to smell horrible.

[willy0314 0]

I dunno, all I do is unzip the bag, pull the pants out and leave the rest of the pads in there to dry. Jock, Jersey and what not gets washed, but really the rest of my stuff doesn't get washed, and doesn't smell.

Part of it, is if you dont drink enough water throughout the day, then your sweat is going to stick a hell of alot worse then if you have enough water in your system.

[rtwng20 0]

What I do with my and my son's gear is make absolutely sure we both air it out right after getting home from the rink. I also spray it down with Fabreeze, but it's the one with bacteria killer, don't remember the exact name on the bottle. then about once a month I put everything in large plastic garbage bags and take it to the laundramat. I was told to fit as much as I could in a washer so the machine can't beat anything up that badly. usually 2 loads for mine and my sons. I usually use something like Tide but the key is to add about a cap of bleach to the load. (once the washer is full of water though) I've been doing this now for about 3 years with no problems.

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

I always air out my equipment and they never used to smell... until I started playing in the summer this year. I guess with more humidity in the air it takes the equipment longer to dry. I've put them out in the sun and it worked alright. The only equipment that smells disgusting is my gloves. They are nasty. It takes hours and several washes to get that smell completely off your hands. I don't want to buy new gloves or damage them, but I don't know how to clean them. I'll probably end up taking it to the shop at my rink and get them to clean them.

[tips09 0]

i have the same problem with my gloves. They make my hands stink forever

[Jason Harris 31]

Spray your equipment with Funk Free while undressing after a game, then air it out at home. The truly pungent smells won't develop if you use it regularly.

Here's a link to retailers carrying the product.

[pjf 0]

Go to a hockey store that has a Sani Sport Cleaning machine and have your equipment cleaned properly. Get's rid of bacteria, etc. If you wash your equipment in water you creating more bacteria and are just making it worse.

This machine is in many NHL and NFL equipment rooms

[stickglovesshirt 0]

ive used the sani before and it works great. many toronto stores have the machine

[habookus 1]

is it really soo hard to air out your equipment. The only piece of equipment I have that actually smells is one pair of gloves and it was because I didn't air them out a couple times after playing roller. Everything else smells fine. All I do is take all my gear out and lay it out on the floor under a ceiling fan, it sits there for about 12ish hours and it's dry and smell free.

I have actually aired my equipment out after every ice time for years, but I do sweat a lot when i play. I usually wear basic socks, underwear and beater under my equipment. I have actually had my equipment professionally cleaned, and it was nice for a couple of ice-times, but the smell just came right back. I'm thinking of the soaking in the bath tub technique, so what's the hands down strongest bacteria killer you could mix with water that I could put in a bathtub.

[elevation 1]

I air my stuff out, best is out in the sun. But weather is bad most times, so it has to dry ino our drying room or at home. I spray my equipment with tea tree oil. It's an essential oil,that kills bacteria... you only need three or four dashes in/and distilled water...then my stuff goes to air-dry or into my shockdoktor bag...woks fine for me, i like the different, natural flavor more than chemical smell...i think sani sport uses it as well, they just finishing with a 'less exotic' perfume...

[BK 0]

I air my stuff out, best is out in the sun. But weather is bad most times, so it has to dry ino our drying room or at home. I spray my equipment with tea tree oil. It's an essential oil,that kills bacteria... you only need three or four dashes in/and distilled water...then my stuff goes to air-dry or into my shockdoktor bag...woks fine for me, i like the different, natural flavor more than chemical smell...i think sani sport uses it as well, they just finishing with a 'less exotic' perfume...

I hate that smell. I used to work for a hotel that had a clinic that hosted people for conventions and what not. I hate to tell this to you but that stuff smells like shit. I have seen it first hand ruin our sheets. The stink was so bad that we had to dedicate 5 rooms that we used JUST for the oil convention guests. The stink was so bad that guests would constantly ask if they can change rooms from the stink. Housekeeping couldn't get the stench out so we would have to charge $15 more for the room per guest to make up for the sheets that we would just throw away after their stay. Mormons would take smoking rooms over a highly discounted room with that a previous oil user (im not joking).

[Doctor Hook 0]

is it really soo hard to air out your equipment. The only piece of equipment I have that actually smells is one pair of gloves and it was because I didn't air them out a couple times after playing roller. Everything else smells fine. All I do is take all my gear out and lay it out on the floor under a ceiling fan, it sits there for about 12ish hours and it's dry and smell free.

While it may be too late now for the rash sufferer, a smart investment is a hockey tree to properly hang your gear and let it dry out. I've been doing this for years and the funk hasn't been brought.

If you don't use a tree, then hang up your gear on hooks or something. It needs to feel the airflow.

It also helps to not store gear in a dank basement or garage that is usually stank to begin with.

[blues_91 0]

Even if you air your stuff out everyday, it will still eventually pick up a smell. I take my gear to a Sani Sport machine and it does wonders.