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Let’s face it, hockey gear smells if not cared for properly!  There are so many professional cleaning companies that now offer to clean your hockey gear or sticks, for a fee.  I’ve known players that throw their gear in the swimming pool or tub to clean it when it smells.  I wash my gear in the washing machine.  After every practice; I empty my bag completely and spray my gear with Febreeze Antimicrobial, then I hang it up to dry.  I spray the inside of my bag too and let it air out.  My wet hockey clothes get washed every night after practice, this way I start each practice with a clean smelling jersey, socks, neck guard & under garments.

Every few weeks and definitely after every hockey tournament; I take all of my gear to the washing machine for a deep clean.  I load the machine with the leg pads, arm pads, chest protector, gloves & breezers (hockey pants), I use a non-scented mild soap and start the machine.  It helps if  you strap down all the velcro on your pads, or they will become a big attached bundle.  I wash my vinyl hockey bag separately, the washing machine works for both cloth & vinyl bags.  When they are finished, I take them back to the rack to dry.  We live in Arizona, so my gear dries fast in the garage.  Make sure you plan ahead, so your gear has time to dry completely.  I have also put my gear in the dryer, it did not damage the machine or hockey gear at all.  Also make sure you wipe down the inside & outside of your helmet & cage with a mild soap & water and don’t forget to wipe down your hockey sticks too.

Hockey Drying Rack

A hockey player should get in the habit of emptying their entire hockey bag every night, spray down the gear and wash the wet hockey clothes.  It only takes a few minutes to do and then you won’t have to worry about a bateria & odor on your gear, which can cause disease & illness that spreads from player to player!  The older you get and the bigger the gear, you may have to do a few loads to wash it all.  Set up a drying rack in your garage or basement to hold your gear.  In the long run, caring for you gear after each use will keep the dangerous bacteria off the gear and you on the ice doing what you love.