Hopping isn’t the only way to care for hockey gear. Being aware of how to washt and clean your gear can make a huge difference in how long you can enjoy your game day clothes, t-shirts, and hats.
Washing is a critical part of cleaning hockey equipment. Though some garments can be dry cleaned, most times not so speed-wise, the better option is to wash.
Because basketballs and footballs are always dirty, the best approach is to use very mild washing agents and let them sit until they are dry. This allows for any potential water seepage or wetness to go away, plus it helps prevent future water damage or wetness.
When drying equipment off, remember that more moisture will result in poor drying progress.
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How to wash hockey gear
When you’re done using your gear, make sure to properly dry your things. Washing machines and dryers are majorly important in helping keep your clothes new and clean.
If you are wearing t-shirts, choose a warm thermal tea or water solution safe for long-term storage. If wearing shorts, avoid hot dryers or machines as these may heat up the material and dry out the clothes.
And while washing machines and dryers may not be present in most dorms and high schools, there are some ways to care for items in a box.
Pour the items into a bag or container, add some gentle detergent, and let them sit for as long as the machine or dryer will take. This is especially helpful if the items are very old or young gear has passed through them.
What kind of soap to use
There are a couple of common soap types used in washes. One is a regular or soft soap, and the other is a cold water rinse sox. Both can be found at your laundromat or grocery store.
Regular/soft soap can be tricky to choose as it must be rinsed off completely before it can be dryed. Some tips for choosing the right soap is to use a gentle one for eczema, another reason to invest in lots of wash gear is for saving money in the long run.
The other problem with using too much of either one is that it can cause limes and/or fermentation smell in your wash.
How much soap to use
There are a few rules for keeping hockey gear looking new and washing it. Always check the inside of your ice skates for damage, and never put tape on a skate without first cleaning it!
Once the gear is cleaned, it should be dry-cleaned or lukewarm soap applied and wiped off. Since some stocks do not use dry-cleaning, this can be an extra cost saving!
With lots of clothing being washed, creating a wastestep could help save money. Starting with warm water and a large size rather than cold water and a smaller size, this could help prevent excessive wetting of clothes.
How to dry your hockey gear
When you have your new gear clean and ready to go, it is time to put it through the test of time! That means washing it!
Many people report that they use a dryer lint screen as a buffer when trying to care for tennis racquets, racquetballs, and volleyballs. They say that if you really smooth out the cloth on well enough, it will dry quickly.
It is the same with athletic wear. If you have enough room in your dryer, try putting some white noise machines or something soft on the heating element to help speed up drying time.
Drying your new gear at home is a great way to do some of these steps. You can also purchase special washers and dryers made for sports gear.
What not to do when washing hockey gear
When you have your new hockey gear looking nice and being cleaned, it is time to test it out! If you have a new jacket that is thin, see if it will wear comfortable enough to play in.
If you are going to be doing some taping or gluing on the jacket, then make sure those operations are protected. Using strong-kraunch strength tape or glue can prove useful when trying to put together a new look to your team.
When washing team apparel, remember that white will be weak. If you are going to try some colored threading or dyeing on the garment, then get some good-quality material so the shirt is sturdy enough.
Lastly, try not treating team apparel with chemicals or stiffeners before washing to prevent any potential problems.
Take good care of your equipment and it will take good care of you
When you purchase new equipment, make sure to check the size and strength limit. You can also test it by playing a few minutes on it to see if it works for you and your game.
If you have questions about a piece of equipment, ask the manufacturer! They may have other users with similar sizes who have used it and enjoyed using it.
Check the manufacturer’s website to see if there are any recalls or quality issues with the equipment, as they may address this in later manufacturing processes.
Finally, take good care of your new gear. If you get wear and tear or accidents, wipe off any rough surfaces with a clean dry cloth and let dry before using another piece of clothing to prevent water damage.
Learn how to fix small tears and rips before they become big ones
A small tear or rip can become a big mess when it comes to dry cleaning or laundry. Fortunately, there are ways to repair small tears and rips and keep your gear looking new until you wash it again!
Cloth diapers are a great way to try this out. If you use a large diaper, such as a wipes only diaper, then you can test out cloth diapers without the use of a wet cloth diaper. Try putting some water resistant baby wash and/or detergent on the cover and letting it soak into the cloth diaper for an hour or so before trying to wash and dry it.
Try using one of those pre-shrunk clothing fabrics, like vinyl coated canvas or polyester fiber blanket lining your diapers.
Ask an expert!
If you’re not sure whether your gear can be washed, you can ask an expert. Many sports stores and gear shops are staffed by trained athletes who know how to clean equipment properly.
!You can also use the gear dryer to quickly refresh equipment after washing.
!Oftentimes, water works better to clean things than soap, and with some pieces of equipment, being more firm like surface material, it may not be practical to wash it. However, if there is moisture content enough for dry treatment, then let it dry completely!
If you are very careful with your sports gear, it should last a few seasons. But if you were really hot and spent a couple of days in the snow playing football or something, then maybe your gear needs a little help staying fresh.