Hockey Equipment Cleaning Guide
Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, especially hockey equipment- bags, skates, pads, and clothing. When left to grow and multiply, the bacteria can become dangerous and spread disease and illness from player to player. Exposure to these pathogens, topically or through broken skin can cause serious infections and potentially life-threatening conditions. In addition, moisture and bacteria have the ability to break down hockey equipment over time, affecting its safety and integrity.
Recommended Products for Equipment Cleaning: Clear Gear Disinfectant spray, Blue Sniper Disinfectant Spray, Gear Halo Deodorizer Pods, and TronX Equipment Drying Rack.
Frequent Equipment Cleaning
Preventing this deterioration and disease Cleaning and deodorizing equipment is a simple task and takes only minutes after each game. It will prevent odor, deterioration, and disease.
1) Unpack helmets, skates, pads, gloves, and clothing from hockey bag. Never Leave equipment sitting in your hockey bag!
2) Wipe any visible ice melt or dirt from equipment with a bleach/ammonia/alcohol free wipe or dry cloth or towel.
3) Remove skate insoles. Hang skates, helmet, and pads on a drying rack.
4) Spray a thin layer of bleach/ammonia/alcohol free disinfectant cleaner inside and outside of equipment surfaces.
5) Let equipment dry thoroughly before next use.
6) Machine wash jerseys, jills, jocks, compression pants, pants, shirts, and socks with a mild, bleach-free detergent and cold-warm temperature. Items may be rack dried or placed in dryer on low setting. Hockey pants may not require washing as often.
**Note- an equipment drying rack is most effective, however, alternative options for drying gear may include- wall mounted coat rack, wire shelving, DIY PVC piping, standing coat rack or hanging rod. Use hooks, hangers or shower rings to hang gear.
Quarterly Equipment Cleaning
It is important to give your hockey equipment a deep cleaning at least once a quarter, but more often if persistent odor or visible soiling occurs.
Helmets: Remove face mask and chin cup. Wipe down face mask/cage and chin cup using disinfectant spray or wipes. Dry with towel or air dry on equipment rack. Inspect screw and rivets. Ensure certification sticker is visible and date is valid.
Skates: Remove insoles and hang on equipment dryer. Using either a 1:1 vinegar -water solution or bleach/ammonia/alcohol free disinfectant, spray interior of skate. Wipe exterior of skate with disinfectant spray or wipes. Scuffs can be rubbed off with melamine foam. Inspect surfaces, blades and laces. Replace or sharpen as needed. Hang to dry.
Gloves, Blockers, and Goalie Leg Pads: Spray interior and exterior with disinfectant spray. If heavily soiled or odorous, wipe/scrub interior and exterior with 1:1 cold vinegar-water solution with mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with cloth. Air dry on equipment rack. Inspect surfaces, velcro, and fasteners for integrity. Replace gloves as needed.
Shin Pads, Elbow Pads, and Chest Protectors: Wipe/scrub interior and exterior of equipment using a cloth, cold water and a mild, bleach-free detergent. Rinse thoroughly with cloth. Remove scuffs with melamine pad. Spray with disinfectant spray and thoroughly air dry on equipment rack. Inspect surfaces, velcro, and fasteners. Replace as needed.
Sticks: Wipe surface with bleach/ammonia/alcohol free disinfectant spray or wipes. Remove and replace tape. Inspect for warping or cracks. Replace stick and stick accessories as needed.
Bags: Wipe interior and exterior surfaces with bleach/ammonia/alcohol free disinfectant spray or wipes. Remove scuffs with melamine foam. Inspect surfaces, straps, zippers, and wheels. Insert bag deodorizer pod. Leave bag open to air dry. Replace as needed.
**Note- some hockey equipment like shine pad liners, elbow pads, and chest protectors may be machine washed in cold to warm water with a mild, bleach-free detergent. However, some equipment suppliers suggest that soaking can affect the integrity of the gear and cause separation of layers. If your hockey equipment appears to need a deep soak and scrub, we highly recommend replacement. Rink stink is not an appealing quality in a hockey player!