Keeping your hockey gloves clean is essential for maintaining their longevity and ensuring hygiene. Dirty gloves can become a breeding ground for bacteria and lead to unpleasant odors and potential skin irritations. Follow these simple steps to get your hockey gloves clean without damaging them:
Step 1: Prep Your Station
Fill a sink, bathtub, or tub with warm water. The temperature should be comfortable to the touch.
Step 2: The Right Detergent
Add one tablespoon of Dirty Birds Laundry Detergent to the water. It's important to use a detergent that's gentle on fabrics and foams.
Step 3: Soapy Bath
Fill the sink or tub enough to partially dunk your gloves. There's no need to fully submerge them.
Step 4: Dunk the Gloves
Place your gloves in the soapy water. Gently press them down to get the cleaning solution into the fabric.
Step 5: Agitation is Key
Agitate the gloves by moving them around in the soapy water. Focus on getting the inside, top, and bottom of the gloves wet with soapy water to clean them without completely soaking the foam padding.
Step 6: Drain Away the Grime
Once you have thoroughly agitated the gloves, drain the dirty soapy water from the sink or tub.
Step 7: Rinse Off
Refill the sink or tub with clean warm water and rinse the gloves to remove any remaining dirt and soap.
Step 8: Repeat Rinse if Necessary
It's crucial to eliminate all soap residue, so repeat the rinsing step as needed. Remember, there’s no need to completely submerge the gloves.
Step 9: Drying Station
Find an appropriate spot to lay out your gloves to dry. You can use a floor with a towel, a drying rack, or a laundry line—whatever works best for you.
Step 10: Speed Up the Drying Process
To speed up drying, position a fan near the gloves for increased air circulation. This can also help in locations with high humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can you wash hockey gloves? Yes, and you should periodically.
- Can you wash hockey gloves in the washer / washing machine? You can, but it's not recommended. Machine washing, especially with the agitation and spin cycles, will completely soak the protective foams and is hard on the fabrics. It's much better to wash in a sink or bathtub if you want your gloves to last.
- Can you wash hockey gear? Yes, but washing gear the right way is key to making it last.
- How to wash hockey equipment in the bathtub? Simple, follow our instructions above! The same principles apply to other pieces of equipment.
- How do I wash hockey gloves? Follow our instructions above, or watch the video. It's a lot easier than you think.
- How to wash hockey gloves at home? We think that washing gloves at home in a sink or bathtub is the best method, and is key to making your gear last. Just follow our steps above.
- What to wash hockey equipment with? Use Dirty Birds Laundry Detergent. Our Detergent works great on clothing, but also is highly effective for hockey equipment. It cleans deep and rinses away completely while protecting the fabrics and foams in your expensive equipment.
- Where to wash hockey equipment? Right at home! Don't worry about taking your gear somewhere else. Do it at home on your schedule.
- Should you wash your hockey gear? We certainly think so. Your teammates and family will thank you.
- Why do hockey gloves smell bad? Hockey gloves smell bad because they become saturated with sweat, dirt, and bacteria. It's the bacteria living inside them that produces the smell. By washing your gloves every so often, you can kill the bacteria. We also sell Deodorizing Spray that works extremely well!
The Final Chirp
Remember, never put your hockey gloves in a dryer or expose them to excessive heat, as this can damage them. By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your gloves are clean, smell fresh, and are ready for your next game!
