Hockey is one of the fastest and most physical sports on the planet, this means you’ll undoubtedly need to clean it on a regular basis. If not you’ll end up with extremely smelly gear that not even you can handle your own gear, learn how to properly clean your hockey gear in our detailed guide below.
How Often Should You Clean Your Hockey Gear?
While it’s not realistic to clean your gloves, pants, and hard padding gear after each time you use them, you should definitely wash the base layers each time they’re worn. These include things such as your socks, underwear, t-shirts, and any undergarments.
This will keep them clean and fresh at all times while helping to reduce bacteria and unpleasant odors. For the rest of your protective equipment, it’s recommended that you clean and sanitize it every six weeks or 15 to 20 times you wear it.
How to Prevent Your Hockey Gear from Getting Stinky?
Since the base layers are worn right next to your skin, items such as undergarment t-shirts or long sleeves, undergarment pants, socks, jock shorts, and underwear will typically absorb perspiration, oils and moisture. These can lead to unhealthy bacteria and other contaminants which also create bad odors in the material.
Bacteria thrives in wet, warm conditions such as hockey bags and it can grow and spread there. While hanging the items up and airing them out will help to a certain degree, they should be properly washed in a detergent after each use. Base layers should be worn between your body and equipment as they will wick moisture away from your gear which will help extend its life.
If you simply soak your protective gear in water or wash it in a machine, moisture can get into the equipment and it could result in toxic black mold. This is why it’s important to make sure the gear is completely dry before wearing it again. You could also use an alcohol-based antibacterial spray on it after as this helps fight bacteria and odors until the next time the gear can be properly cleaned and sanitized.
Cleaning Hockey Gear in the Washing Machine
Fortunately, you can keep your hockey equipment clean and fresh at home without having to enlist the aid of a professional cleaning service. A washing machine can be used for most of your gear except your skates and helmet and certain pieces of goaltending equipment.
Depending on the type of washing machine, don’t be afraid to load your gloves, pants, elbow pads, shoulder pads, and athletic supporter into the machine with your base layers.
Learn if you can wash your hockey jersey in the washer and dryer by clicking here.
If your equipment has a bad odor you may want to utilize the pre-soak option on your washing machine and let it soak for about an hour. White vinegar could be added at this stage since it is known to be a natural neutralizer of odors and it won’t damage the materials.
Pre-soaking is especially ideal for top-loading washing machines as the gear will soak up the water and weigh it down. This helps to stop it from rising to the surface while it’s being washed. Front-loading machines are recommended though as they don’t have an agitator in the middle of the drum, which could possibly cause damage to certain pieces of equipment and also your washing machine.
It’s a good idea to fasten any Velcro straps on the equipment before washing it because they can snag and tear other types of materials. Also, don’t forget to separate the insert liners from equipment such as shin pads to make sure everything is properly washed. Your shin pads can’t go into the washer, only the liners in them, but you can soak your shin pads in the tub as mentioned below in this article.
Warm water and the gentle wash cycle are recommended when using a washing machine and you need to use a detergent that is designed to remove odors and stains and won’t damage the materials. Don’t use any bleach, bleaching agent, or detergent which contains bleach as it could break down the materials of the gear. Also, don’t use any fabric softeners as they could alter the elements of the materials.
How Should You Clean Your Hockey Gloves?
The majority of hockey gloves today are made with a minimal amount of leather and can be cleaned in a washing machine along with most of your other gear. You shouldn’t place hockey gloves in the dryer though as the warm air could possibly damage or shrink any leather that’s in them. You can open them up as much as possible and let them air dry or place them on a skate and glove dryer.
Many hockey players don’t regularly clean their gloves because it impacts the way they feel the stick and puck, this is personal preference but your gloves will begin to smell rather quickly. It is best to clean your gloves before practice so they are feeling comfortable before gameday.
Can You Put Hockey Gear in the Dryer?
Once all of your gear has been washed most of it can be safely placed in a clothes dryer on the low or no heat setting. However, before doing so, be sure to check the specific cleaning instructions on the manufacturer’s label.
If it isn’t recommended to be placed in a dryer be sure to air dry it in a well-ventilated area or outside if the weather permits. Using a fan can also speed up the process as it will help circulate the air and a dehumidifier in the room can also help.
What hockey gear should be air-dried vs going in the dryer:
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The Tub Method for Cleaning Hockey Gear
If you don’t have a washing machine available or don’t want to use one, you can clean your gear, other than skates and helmet, in a bathtub or large sink. Let the equipment soak in warm water and detergent with a small amount of white vinegar being an option to help remove odors.
It can be soaked for 30 to 60 minutes before cleaning each item with a sponge or soft cloth and rinsing it. Then drain the water and air dry it or place it in a dryer.
This I the method I have always used growing up because I had a top-loading washing machine with an agitator. I filled up the basement tub and soaked my gear. It would turn a darker color, yeah it was kinda gross, then I let it all dry out in the sun. Make sure you don’t use too much detergent, because if you don’t clean it out properly your gear will feel soapy! Trust me this is the worst feeling with soapy hockey gloves, learn from my mistakes. – Jamie P.
Using a Dishwasher
As strange as it may sound, some smaller pieces of hockey equipment can be cleaned in a dishwasher. To do this safely, place the articles in the empty dishwasher, switch off the heated drying cycle and then run the appliance on the highest possible heat wash option.
Be sure you don’t use a dish-washing detergent since most brands contain harsh additives and bleaching agents which could damage the equipment. But on the other side of the coin, you should be aware that using any other type of detergent in the dishwasher could possibly damage it.
Honestly, as a hockey player myself, I wouldn’t clean any hockey gear in the dishwasher. I have heard people clean their skates and helmet because there’s not really any other easy way to clean those, but it’s still a dishwasher and I don’t want to mix hockey gear and the dishes I eat off together haha. The only thing I would consider washing in the dishwasher is my visor or mouthguard. – Jamie P.
How to Properly Clean Your Hockey Skates?
Skates can be a breeding ground for bacteria and odors and shouldn’t be forgotten about when cleaning your hockey gear. The best way to clean them and keep them fresh is to remove the insoles after each time you wear them and let them air dry. You can then use an odor-neutralizing spray or a combination of water and white vinegar to spray or clean down the inside of the skates. They should then be air-dried or placed on a skate or boot dryer to air out.
Washing the socks that you wear on your feet in-between practices and games will keep your skates from smelling bad.
How to Properly Clean Your Hockey Helmet?
To properly clean your hockey helmet, be sure to remove any external items such as a chin cup, cage, or visor. You should then combine a mixture of water with a no-tear shampoo and wash the inside and outside of the helmet with a soft sponge. No-tear shampoo should be used in case any remnants of the cleaning agent drip into your eyes from the interior padding during play. Rinse the helmet as well as possible to try to remove all of the cleaning liquid. You can then soak up any excess moisture with a towel and air dry it.
How Do You Clean Your Hockey Visor?
When cleaning your hockey visor you can use water, anti-fog spray, or wipes as well as Dawn dish soap or a combination of alcohol and soap. It’s best to wipe the visor with a soft microfibre cloth to make sure you don’t scratch the surface. Some players use a mild shampoo but it’s recommended that you stay away from ammonia-based cleaners as they could affect the anti-scratch coating of the visor.
How Do You Clean Mold Off Your Hockey Gear?
Not only will your hockey gear begin to smell if it isn’t cleaned on a regular basis, it can also be unhealthy to wear due to bacteria, mold, and mildew. It’s a good idea to clean it before you start to notice any unpleasant odors and this can be done for most pieces of equipment by cleaning it in a washing machine or by hand.
You can also use disinfectant agents, rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar. If this simply isn’t possible to do at home visit your local laundromat and there are professional equipment-cleaning services available in most large cities.
How Do You Clean Goalie Gear?
Cleaning goalie gear is a little tougher since it takes longer to dry. Also completely immersing the equipment in water could damage the materials. You can wash your base layers though, such as socks, underwear, Tee shirts and jerseys etc. When it comes to the pants, chest protector, blocker and catcher, you can mix cold water with a mild bleach-free detergent. Simply scrub the equipment lightly with a soft sponge and then thoroughly rinse it to make sure all the detergent has been removed. The gear should then be air dried and can be treated with a disinfectant to help fight off odours, mildew and bacteria.
The leg pads and mask can be cleaned with a soft, damp, warm cloth before being air dried while the mask’s sweatband can be machine washed. Be sure not to use heavy-cleaning solvents or chemicals on the mask as they could possibly break down the materials.
Cleaning Hockey Gear FAQs
What Does Gitch Mean?
Gitch basically refers is to your base layers such as underwear, athletic supporter shorts, socks, sweatbands and neck guards, etc. All of these items should be cleaned after each practice or game.
When I played Junior hockey our equipment manager gave us a strap where we would clip all our washable items on. We called this strap the Gitch strap and we had a certain spot where we had to hang it in our stall if we wanted it cleaned between games and practices. – Jamie P.
Do You Need to Clean Your Hockey Bag?
Since your hockey bag holds all of your wet and smelly equipment it’s important to make sure you also keep it as clean and sanitized as you can at all times.
How to Clean My Hockey Bag?
A hockey bag, like most of your other gear, can be cleaned in a washing machine or by hand. It simply needs detergent or vinegar and water to keep it clean and fresh. You can also insert deodorant balls or something similar inside it to help with the bad odor. However, if the bag is made of leather, be sure to just use mild detergent and water on it and wipe it clean rather than immersing it in water or placing it in a washing machine.
I found the easiest way to clean my hockey bag was to empty it out completely and soak it with a hose. You can use a mild detergent to really clean it out. Then I would let it air dry completely before adding my gear again. – Jamie P.
Final Thoughts
When playing hockey you need to feel fresh and comfortable to be able to perform at your best. This means your equipment should be clean, odor-free, and as dry as possible when you put it on.
If the gear isn’t clean it could result in harmful bacteria entering your skin via open wounds etc and can be dangerous and unhealthy. You should really treat your base layers and protective equipment the same as you do your other clothing, which means taking care of them to also help stop them from prematurely wearing out.
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.
