Short Week Without Hockey

[interpathway 9]

Hey Guys,

I broke my steel last night at pick-up (9Ks with the E-Pro and Scalloped Steel) and ordered new steel this morning. I decided not to go to Step Steel, but soon arriving will be 263mm blades without the scallops.

With my extended time off from the game I was hoping to hear any insightful suggestions or DIYs about getting my gear back into its best condition.

I've done the basics to my skates; removed steel and cleaned, dried the outside and inside (with newspaper for a quick absorption... about 15 minutes), de-laced the skate and removed the insoles.

I'm a bit of a skate guy, but I was wondering if there was anything along these lines I could do with all my other equipment. I play 3-4 times a week and the bag just sits in the trunk for most of this time unfortunately. Any ideas are greatly appreciated; or a link to a topic in the past.

[tips09 0]

If I am taking this correctly and you just leave your gear in the trunk most of the time I would suggest airing it out. New laces New knobs and the sticks re taping just looking at your gear making sure all straps are in good order (not starting to rip) stuff like that is all i can really think of. Hope this helps pass the time a bit with the gear.

[number21 3]

That stuff must be ripe!

Figure out a way to air out or dry your gear instead of leaving it in the bag. On a floor in front of a box fan would be better than nothing!

[GimpIndustries 1]

Washing it couldn't hurt. Lots of ideas and methods on washing gear if you just search for it.

[chippa13 1844]

6 days? Your LHS should have been able to swap out that steel and radius/sharpen them up for you in no time.

[interpathway 9]

No steel at The Gardens here, at least not in 263mm.

[Chadd 916]

get everything out and get it dry. A little baby powder or a dryer sheet in the gloves and skates will help a bit. Lysol the hell out of the bag to kill anything that may be in there.

[interpathway 9]

get everything out and get it dry. A little baby powder or a dryer sheet in the gloves and skates will help a bit. Lysol the hell out of the bag to kill anything that may be in there.

This is exactly the kind of response I am looking for, thanks; please keep them coming!

[number21 3]

Since I wasn't very helpful last time.

Some people use an alcohol, peroxide and water mix. Not sure of the ratio though.

Found it!

I have tried the antibacterial febreeze, doesn't work and smells terrible later.

[xaero604 0]

Use one of those esporta machines. That would be $50 well spent if you're keeping your gear in a trunk most of the time lol

[roscoe6 1]

+1 on the dryer sheet in the gloves.

+1 on the Lysol. I have never had any bad smelling effects like number21.

+1 on actually taking your stuff out of your bag. What is keeping you from removing it from your trunk? If you don't mind...

As far as your new steel goes - use a chamois cloth after to dry, and a Miraclestone before skating to help keep your edges, if you don't already. (http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4496) Also, during long breaks I soak all of my equipment in my parent's washing machine over night. Fill it with warm water and add a scoop of OxyClean and your regular detergent. I can usually fit my shoulders and elbows in one load, gloves and shins in the next. Let the water fill, add your detergent and OxyClean and let the washer agitate for a while to get the OxyClean dissolved and then put the gear in and let soak. (If you are having a problem keeping the gear submerged, a wet beach towel usually does the trick.) Then, start the cycle in the morning. During the spring/summer months I put it out to dry on our deck, or in the fall/winter months it stays in the laundry room with a fan. I know some people say this is bad for your gear and/or the washer, but all of my equipment is still soft and flexible, and the washer is still fine as far as I am concerned. :D I have NBH Pro LightSpeed shoulders, elbows, and shins (if it matters) and my Eagle X72 gloves are still supple.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Any of your LHS have cleaning agents for your gear? The local Play it Again has this stuff you put in water and soak your gear in. It's supposed to kill any current bacteria and then leave an antimicrobial protection on it. Look around and see if you can find something. I've heard of people on this forum using stuff designed for scuba gear/wetsuits before as well. The Febreze for fabric works for a short time, but it's not a cure by any means. It masks the smell a bit until you use it again, then it all wears off.

I would look for a small rack or something to air your gear out on. I have one I got from Ikea that's about 6 feet tall, and about 3 feet square. It's got different levels to it, so I can put all my gear on it. Every time I skate I lay my gear out on this, and put my skates on a boot drier. It helps tons. Of course your gear will still get funky after a while, but nothing like leaving it in your trunk. Put it in your bathroom or garage or something. If it's cold in the garage, put a fan in front of it. It honestly takes me 2 minutes max to empty out my bag onto the rack, take the insoles out of my skates, and put them on the boot drier. If you're just lacking motivation, leave your beer in the fridge in the garage. That'll get you to walk out there.

[cptjeff 0]

Getting it aired out and cleaned is the first order of business, then figuring out some system at home where it never gets left in the bag again. You need to keep it dry. If it stays moist it breaks down faster, smells, and breeds bacteria- including Staph, or the possibility of it's big brother MRSA. You need to kill what's on there and make sure nothing comes back anytime soon.

That's really the biggest thing. If you must leave it in the bag for space reasons and such, get a shockdoctor bag with the fan. They work like a charm, at least for keeping gear dry and infection free. Don't know how good they are at killing stuff off.

Besides the whole "get your gear in a state that won't kill you if you get a cut" thing, you'll want to keep the screws on your helmet tight, sew up holes in your socks, make sure all straps and belts are in good order, make sure everything's holding together- if a shoulder cap is falling off or something, run it by a shoe repair guy (he'll appreciate it if you do it after cleaning). Make sure your shins are in good order- no cracks, popped rivets or stitching, depending on how they're held together, padding in good order and all of that.

I think that about covers it.

[GimpIndustries 1]

If you're just lacking motivation, leave your beer in the fridge in the garage. That'll get you to walk out there.

Pure Genius! Thank you