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 supplies for Equipment Cleaning: Bleach/ammonia/alcohol free disinfectant spray and wipes, deodorizer pods, melamine foam, bleach free laundry detergent, vinegar, oxiclean powder, cleaning cloths, and an equipment drying rack.
Our favorite products are ClearGear Disinfectant Spray, GearHalo Disinfectant Pods, and Blue Sniper Disinfectant Spray.
DIY cleaning agent- 1:2 vinegar/water solution with 1-2 drops bleach free detergent, and spray bottle.
An equipment drying rack is most effective, however, alternative options for drying gear may include a wall mounted or over door coat rack, wire shelving, standing coat rack or hanging rod. Use weight-bearing hooks, hangers or shower rings to hang gear.
Frequent Equipment Cleaning
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 uncleaned equipment sitting in your hockey bag! Ventilation is the key to reducing bacteria.
2) Clean any visible ice melt or dirt from equipment with disinfectant wipes or spray and a dry cloth. Melamine foam moistened with water is great for scuff removal.
3) Remove skate insoles. Hang skates, helmet, and pads on a drying rack.
4) Spray a thin layer of disinfectant spray inside and outside of equipment surfaces.
5) Let equipment air dry thoroughly before next use.
6) Machine wash jerseys, jills, jocks, compression pants, hockey pants, shirts, and socks with bleach-free detergent and warm temperature water. Items may be rack dried or placed in dryer on low setting. Hockey pants may not require washing as often, but can benefit from a disinfectant spray.
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. Clean and dry interior pads thoroughly to maintain glue integrity and air dry on equipment rack. Inspect screws and rivets. Ensure certification sticker is visible and date is valid.
Skates: Remove insoles and hang on equipment drying rack. Using disinfectant spray/wipes, clean interior and exterior of skate. Scuffs can be cleaned with water-moistened melamine foam. Inspect surfaces, blades, and laces. Replace or sharpen as needed. Hang to dry.
Player and Goalie Gloves, Goalie Blockers, and Goalie Leg Pads: Spray interior and exterior with disinfectant spray. If heavily soiled or odorous, scrub interior and exterior with 1:2 vinegar/cold water solution with 1-2 drops bleach free detergent. Rinse thoroughly with cloth. Air dry on equipment rack. Inspect surfaces, velcro, and fasteners for integrity. Replace gloves as needed. **Never submerge these goalie items.
Chest Protector, Elbow Pads, Knee Pads, Thigh Pads, and Shin Pads: Wipe/scrub interior and exterior of equipment with disinfectant spray. If heavily soiled or odorous, scrub interior and exterior with 1:2 vinegar/water solution with 1-2 drops bleach free detergent. Rinse thoroughly with cloth. Remove scuffs with water-moistened melamine foam. Spray with disinfectant spray and thoroughly air dry on equipment rack. Inspect surfaces, velcro, and fasteners. Replace as needed.
Sticks: Wipe surface with disinfectant spray or wipes. Water-moistened melamine foam to remove scuffs. Remove and replace tape. Inspect for warping or cracks. Replace stick and stick accessories as needed.
Bags: Wipe interior and exterior surfaces with disinfectant spray or wipes. Remove scuffs with water moistened melamine foam. Inspect surfaces, straps, zippers, and wheels. Insert bag deodorizer pod. Leave bag open to air dry. Replace bag and accessories as needed.
Machine Washing: most soft padding equipment like chest/elbow/knee/thigh/shin pads and pants may be machine washed in warm water with a bleach-free detergent. Adding an Oxi-cleaner or 1 cup vinegar to the wash will assist in heavy soiling.
Tub Soaking: most equipment, except skates, helmets, and goalie gloves/blockers/leg pads can be soaked. Player gloves must be soaked using cold water to prevent the palm material from stretching.
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, give it a try. However, when its integrity has become offensive, we highly recommend replacement.