Cleaning Hockey Gear - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jar_e · 09-25-2006, 12:54 PM

Does anyone have recommendations for cleaning hockey gear and getting rid of that delightful hockey bag smell every game?

I currently have everything out in the bathroom with the air vent going trying to just dry it off but I'm not sure what to do after that...any suggestions?!

Thanks.

habernac · 09-25-2006, 01:00 PM

wash it. If they can't fit in the regular washer, go to the laundromat. Every few weeks I wash mine during the season.

jar_e · 09-25-2006, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

wash it. If they can't fit in the regular washer, go to the laundromat. Every few weeks I wash mine during the season.

Like pads and everything? With soap?

I've also thought of washing my bag...i'm pretty sure that may be the main cause.

Frank the Tank · 09-25-2006, 01:02 PM

There is a company that specializes in cleaning sports equipment, but I don't know if they are a chain. They're endorsed by Walter Gretzky or something. I'll see if I can find a link.

ken0042 · 09-25-2006, 01:03 PM

I put mine in the washer; but use the washer to let it soak. I also put a cap full of bleach in the water to kill any bacteria. Then I take it outside and hose it down to rinse it, and then hang it up.

ken0042 · 09-25-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

I've also thought of washing my bag...i'm pretty sure that may be the main cause.

Yes, you should wash down there every day.

Rhettzky · 09-25-2006, 01:03 PM

My gear's not allowed in the house.

I empty my bag after every game and hang the stuff up in the garage. If it's really bad I spray it down with that Anti-bacterial febreeze. Then I just make sure to wash the washables right away so it doesn't get the mildew stink going on it.

Skates you can replace the inserts in every few months and it helps a little bit. If you can wash your hockey bag too that helps as well.

But hockey gear stays pretty nasty year long. Even that crap they sell at the pro-hockey shops around town for like $17 bucks a bottle only works for a little while.

There is a place in town that cleans gear somehow but I don't see the point in that as you're just going to funk it up a few days later anyway.

Frank the Tank · 09-25-2006, 01:07 PM

http://www.playitclean.ca/

Here's good 'ol Walt!

jar_e · 09-25-2006, 01:07 PM

Thanks for all the tips guys...I use to put it in my garage back home and usually that worked, but alas, I do'nt have a garage here.

Yeah...the bag really should get cleaned after every game...but I'm rather lazy and it ends up staying my trunk until next game.

Well, wish me luck...i'm off into the washroom to throw my gear into the washer

Bill Bumface · 09-25-2006, 01:33 PM

I think I remember Sportmart or somewhere like that offering gear cleaning. They probably just take it to the guy above though.

Rhettzky · 09-25-2006, 01:36 PM

I didn't even think about putting it in the washer. Can you do that? Then you just hang dry it? That's awesome, I always thought you just had to give it as much air as you could and disinfect it once every few months.

Reaper · 09-25-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

http://www.playitclean.ca/

Here's good 'ol Walt!

The system used is actually the Esporta System.

http://www.esporta.ca/retail/sports.htm

If you have a washing machine without an agitator you can probably clean almost all your gear at home. Just wash the gear with mild detergent and oxyclean (trust me, this helps get the stink out) on the delicate cycle with warm water. Hang your gear to dry in front of a high volume fan. I would avoid washing your skates, gloves and helmet at home though.

MattyK · 09-25-2006, 01:41 PM

I made a frame very similar to the ones in this thread for drying my goalie equipment. You've never experienced wet, sweaty gear unless you've played six games in goal within two days, without drying your equipment.

I keep the frame (affectionately called "the rack") in a small, 7x7 storage closet I have off my apartment balcony. If it's an emergency, I pop my high-power fan in there to speed drying up. During the winter, I have an oil-filled heater keeping things from freezing. Otherwise, I just leave it sit and it'll be good in 24 hours.

Drying equipment fast keeps it from stinking, at least for a while. Every few months I hose down my CA, pants, and jock; and give the palms of my catcher and blocker a good run-though with the hose. A lot easier in the summer than the winter :P

Staypuft · 09-25-2006, 02:27 PM

Sportswap downtown has a sani-sport machine. Takes like 20 minutes to clean all your gear...does a pretty good job too. Never too busy, can almost always get it done right away.

Rhettzky · 09-25-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staypuft

Sportswap downtown has a sani-sport machine. Takes like 20 minutes to clean all your gear...does a pretty good job too. Never too busy, can almost always get it done right away.

What's the cost approximately?

MattyK · 09-25-2006, 03:04 PM

I've always wondered, how much does it cost to have your gear cleaned at a place like Sportswap?

I remember when I bought some gloves and a pair of goal pants at a sports exchange...it was almost like a new-car smell. Lasted all of a few games, but still...

Red Mile Style · 09-25-2006, 04:13 PM

I find the absolute worst thing to do is to try to cover up the smell using things like Febreeze, or when I was a kid, my Mom actually bought these footprint shaped car-fresheners and would put them in my bag every month or so. Argh! It was so disgusting because it didn't get rid of the problem, it just added to the aroma. I hated keeping my equipment outside because I hated putting it on when it's cold, so I pretty much had to let her do whatever she wanted to keep it in the basement. It scarred me for life.

Rhettzky · 09-25-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Mile Style

I find the absolute worst thing to do is to try to cover up the smell using things like Febreeze, or when I was a kid, my Mom actually bought these footprint shaped car-fresheners and would put them in my bag every month or so. Argh! It was so disgusting because it didn't get rid of the problem, it just added to the aroma. I hated keeping my equipment outside because I hated putting it on when it's cold, so I pretty much had to let her do whatever she wanted to keep it in the basement. It scarred me for life.

Oh yeah, I should have said the "Scentless" anti-bacterial Febreeze. I can't stand perfume stench, especially because most of that stuff makes your gear slimy.

Jake · 09-25-2006, 05:19 PM

hmmm... I've been playing since I was 6 or 7 and the only time I've ever had clean equipment was when it was new... maybe I should look into this.

MattyK · 09-25-2006, 06:01 PM

I don't think I've ever cleaned my out gear. I've had my shin pads, shoulder pads, elbow pads, skates, and helmet since 1993. Heck, until last winter, I've had my gloves that long too. It has an odour, but nothing amazingly strong. I don't know how some guys get their equipment that stinky...do they leave their bags closed and under heat lamps, to rot in it's own sweat?

Goalie equipment, though...I've lost upwards of five pounds during a game, even after drinking a lot of water. When you're dealing with that much sweat, you have to dry it after every game and clean it regularly.