Disenfecting gear

[CamNeely 0]

Wouldn't rubbing alcohol cause the foam to harden?

I've used rubbing alcohol and i didn't find it made the foam harden

[Thinkingjack 51]

I have OCD how i never saw this thread i dont know why since i mostly just lurk around. Anyway, for my gloves, shins, shoulders and elbows and pants, and depending on the skate liner i use it on the tongues and some skates. i use antimicrobial febreeze and if you're daring like some people and work in a restaurant take a bottle of the non diluted sanitizer they use and just dilute a bit at a time and spray it on your gear, works perfectly fine and doesnt irritate your skin either. I used it twice on my gear since i'm a chef and its not bad at all.

as for cleaning the helmet foams, use the hottest water you can use, i know it sounds lame but what is more sanitary than hot water that isnt a chemical? Also i agree with everyone talking about the expiration date on helmets, they should be followed, those old foams are just pure crap after the time alloted for the expiration

[Phantom 19]

I'm pretty anal about cleaning my gear. My goal glove and blocker get a thorough treatment every few weeks with boiling water, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, Murphy's Oil Soap (keeps the leather softer), then another rinse with very hot or boiling water. The chest protector and pants get washed in the bathtub with dish soap (can easily be washed in a front loading washing machine, but I don't have one). After every use, the gear is sprayed down with a diluted rubbing alcohol mixture and hung to dry in a well ventilated room.

I can't imagine leaving it wet in the bag like a lot of people I know. It's heinous.

[tareatingrat 4]

I'm pretty anal about cleaning my gear. My goal glove and blocker get a thorough treatment every few weeks with boiling water, rubbing alcohol, dish soap, Murphy's Oil Soap (keeps the leather softer), then another rinse with very hot or boiling water. The chest protector and pants get washed in the bathtub with dish soap (can easily be washed in a front loading washing machine, but I don't have one). After every use, the gear is sprayed down with a diluted rubbing alcohol mixture and hung to dry in a well ventilated room.

I thought I was pretty good with my stuff.

I usually just hang my stuff up right when I get home, spray it down once in awhile.

Anything that can go in the washing machine daily, does. So, all my underarmour, jerseys, and socks.

For my equipment, as soon as I notice a bit of a stink, or some stains I throw whatever I can in the washer (pretty much everything but my gloves, skates and helmet :D). I don't have a front load, but if you do a couple loads, you can get everything washed. I just wash everything in cold water with a bit of OxyClean. Stuff comes out looking almost new. I've done it three to four times now and haven't noticed any problems with my equipment.

A tip I got for my skates (from this site) awhile back was to use a pet stain remover. I've got one of the oxy versions. Definitely cuts through the hockey stink, but I don't particularly like the smell of the stain remover, either, so it's lose-lose there :).

I can't imagine leaving it wet in the bag like a lot of people I know. It's heinous.

It's almost like a badge of honour with some people:

"Oh man, my stuff stinks, haven't touched it since my last game three weeks ago! Haha!"

Get the fuck away from me.