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Get the Stink Out of Your Gear After a Game or Practice

By Ontario Minor Hockey Association, 10/01/20, 12:30PM EDT

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CCM's Back to Hockey Guide gives tips on how to clean your equipment


Photo Credit: Heather Pollock Photography

Hockey players have a, let’s say, “somewhat unique and special relationship” with their gear. They coddle sticks, massage goalie pads, and treat skates with the reverence usually reserved for fine wine or valuable works of art. You can still follow the cleansing and sanitizing recommendations that will extend the life of your gear, and thus, the length of your personal relationship with it. CCM has shared some valuable tips to keep in mind when cleaning your gear.

All hard goods, pants, gloves, helmets and cups should be washed with water and mild soap as often as possible. Antibacterial disinfectant such as Lysol and Febreeze should not be used on ‘hard goods’, as it may damage them. Don’t forget to use the same (mild soap and water), and generously so, inside your hockey bag as well. Making this a habit will avoid those embarrassing moments of opening your bag and filling the room with a stench we've all unfortunately comes across at one point or another.

All “soft goods”—base layers, jerseys, socks, neck guards—should be machine washed in the warmest available water setting. Using a detergent that contains bleach will up the cleanliness quotient. But two slight cautions: hot water can shrink certain clothing items, and bleach can stain them. Read care labels carefully!

Wear gloves (medical, not hockey!) while spraying and/or laundering your gear, and wash your hands immediately after removing them.

Finally, even though it goes without saying, we’ll say it once more: all equipment should be worn by one person only and never shared. As if you want to wear someone else’s…

Adhering to these hygiene rules may not make you a better player, but will undoubtedly make you way more popular with family, friends and teammates.


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