Keeping your hockey equipment clean extends its life, eliminates odors, and protects your health. Follow these guidelines to properly care for all your gear.
Different pieces of equipment require different care. Here is a quick reference for each category of gear.
The following items can be washed in warm water in your washing machine:
Chest protector, elbow pads, shin guards, jock, pants, socks, neck guard, and gloves. Depending on the size of your washer and equipment, you may need to divide into 2–3 loads.
Tip: Front-loading machines work best as they tumble the equipment. Top-loading machines also work — let gear soak once the drum fills with water to keep it from floating to the top.
Never force-dry your hockey gloves in a dryer. Allow them to dry slowly and naturally to prevent the leather from cracking.
Wash in a non-agitated (front-load) machine with a good amount of soap, sudding up well. Do a double rinse to remove all soapy residue — leftover soap will cause skin irritation.
As gloves dry, regularly flex the palms to prevent the leather from hardening and becoming rough.
Your bag houses all the gear, so it accumulates bacteria and odor quickly. Use cold water (in a tub for larger bags) with soap and antiseptic.
Scrub it thoroughly — then scrub it again. Hang to dry using bungee cords or a similar method so all water drains out from the bottom.
Do not machine tumble-dry the bag. Air dry completely before storing gear inside.
Follow these steps for a thorough and safe machine wash of your hockey equipment.
Divide equipment into loads based on your washer size. Include chest protector, elbow pads, shin guards, jock, pants, socks, and neck guard. Gloves can be included too.
Use a warm water cycle with a generous amount of detergent. Ensure the gear is well sudded. Use a sports odor-eliminating detergent for best results.
Always run a second rinse cycle to ensure all detergent residue is removed. Leftover soap can cause skin itching and irritation during play.
Hang all gear to air dry in a well-ventilated space. Do not use a machine dryer. As items dry, flex any leather or padded pieces to prevent stiffness.
Helmets require hand cleaning — never put them in the washing machine or dryer.
Fill a basin or bathtub with warm water and a small amount of mild liquid soap or no-tear baby shampoo. Using baby shampoo helps protect you in case any residue is left behind and comes into contact with your eyes.
Dip a sponge in the water and use it to scrub the entire helmet, reaching into all crevices and along the plastic straps. Use a towel to remove excess water, then leave it in a well-ventilated area to dry completely.
To eliminate bacteria that resists ordinary washing, regularly use a disinfectant spray or a diluted bleach solution — no more than 10% bleach to 90% water. Always check the helmet's care tag before using bleach to ensure it won't damage the lining.