How to Clean Hockey Gloves Safely

Discover the secret to keeping hockey gloves clean and odor-free with our hands-on guide. Learn from a seasoned hockey mom’s journey, combining cloth diaper cleaning wisdom with innovative techniques to tackle bacteria and maintain glove freshness. Perfect for parents aiming for a win against the stink safely!

If you’ve got a hockey player at home, you know the smell I’m talking about. My son’s hockey bag has been a disaster area since he hit about 12. For four years, I’ve tried everything to beat the stench, attacking it with the determination of a martial artist.

But now, I’m going back to basics, using skills I picked up when I was known as “The Diaper Nanny” to young parents in need. Yes, I cleaned cloth diapers. And, (ahem), I have to admit I was pretty good at it!

Back then, armed with my Nursing microbiology knowledge and hundreds of hours of research, I figured out how to get cloth diapers spotlessly clean, eliminating completely any smells.

So, what’s the deal with hockey gloves? It’s all about the bacteria from our kids’ hands (we all know those aren’t cleaned as much as we would like) and then sliding their hands into the gloves.

Mix it with the sweat, and then the stewing in a dark bag. Oh brother, trust me, you wouldn’t want to see what grows from that mix under a microscope!

Here’s the game plan: We’ll blend the art of maintaining the integrity of the fabric (because no one wants floppy gloves) with the science of banishing bacteria, all while keeping those gloves fitting like a… well, like a glove.

Understanding the Need for Regular Hockey Glove Maintenance Regular maintenance

1. It is crucial for preserving the quality and longevity of your hockey gloves. By taking proper care of your gloves, you can prevent bacteria and odor buildup, as well as extend their lifespan. Following these guidelines will ensure that your gloves remain in optimal condition throughout their usage.
   • Unpack your bag after every game, air out those gloves, along with other equipment
   • Open the glove at the wrist area to allow for air to circulate
   • Pick a dry area that has somewhat of a natural, cool wind current
   • If weather permits, allow the gloves to dry in the sun (be sure to check the forecast – you don’t want to risk it raining)
2. Prepare to clean the gloves when you have enough time in between games or practices

Preventing Bacteria and Odor Buildup Bacteria and odor can accumulate in your hockey gloves over time, leading to unpleasant smells and potential health risks.

Dealing with Bacteria and Odor Buildup

Honestly, you can unpack and air out the gloves religiously.

But, we do not live in a sterile world. So, bacteria and therefore odor will still accumulate in the hockey gloves over time, leading to unpleasant smells and potential health risks.

To prevent this risk, it is important to implement effective strategies for bacteria control in hockey gloves. This includes proper cleaning techniques and disinfection methods.

Can You Really Wash Hockey Gloves?

One common question that arises is whether hockey gloves can be safely washed – and How? I was intimidated by this one, and I consider myself a pro with the washer.

Proper cleaning is crucial for maintaining the performance and hygiene of your gloves, and child’s hands. In this section, we will explore the different factors to consider the rinkside ‘ol question and debate: deciding between machine wash and hand wash options.

Machine Wash vs. Hand Wash

There are pros and cons to both machine wash and hand wash methods for cleaning hockey gloves.

Machine wash offers convenience and efficiency, allowing you to clean multiple pairs of gloves at once. It can effectively remove dirt, sweat, and odor from your gloves. There is less drying time after a machine wash.

However, some fear machine washing may cause even greater wear and tear, especially if your gloves have delicate materials or parts that can be damaged by the agitation of the machine.

Personally, my son really knows how to give his gear a workout, especially those hockey gloves. Honestly, I think a washing machine is more gentle than he is! His gloves barely make it through a season before they’re toast. So, yeah, I’ve been team washing machine when it comes to cleaning them. But, don’t worry, I’ve also got some hand wash tricks up my sleeve for keeping those gloves in fighting shape.

Hand washing provides more control and gentler cleaning for your gloves. It allows you to pay attention to particular areas that need extra care and reduces the risk of damaging your gloves. Hand washing can be time-consuming but offers better protection for your investment in hockey gloves. Allow for my drying time with hand-washing hockey gloves.

One could certainly use the spray and hand wash or machine wash. But, thorough agitation to remove the breakdown of the oxidation and cleaning is required by hand and much muscle.

Cleaning Agents and their Chemistry Considerations

Sodium percarbonate is a superstar ingredient found in many cleaning and laundry products, like non-chlorine bleach options including Oxi Clean.

It’s a safe and effective cleaner that works wonders without the harshness of bleach or ammonia. Acting as an oxidizing agent, it tackles bacteria and stains with ease, making it a go-to for those tough cleaning jobs.

I found the simple spray of Oxi Clean to be the most effective in my diaper-cleaning days. I did use the Oxi Clean powder, but still required spray was the most effective cleaner. Because of the Oxi Clean safety, I have chosen to spray Oxi Clean into the glove’s fingers directly before placing in the washing machine.

The thought of bacteria on our hands might make you squirm, but let’s not forget about the tiny world thriving under our fingernails – it’s a whole different story of microbiology there! That’s why it’s super important to make sure you’re cleaning inside the fingers of those hockey gloves!

The Why and How Behind Oxi Clean’s Sodium Percarbonate

Sodium percarbonate certainly is like a superhero for cleaning hockey gloves because it’s superb at cutting through grease (its alkaline pH also breaks down the oils from the palms that can be transferred to the inside of the glove) and getting rid of stains. Imagine it as a strong cleaner that’s not harsh like bleach or ammonia!

When you mix it with water, it turns into a solution that’s great for breaking down all this yucky stuff. This is because it releases something called “active oxygen” when it gets wet, which bubbles up and helps to clean the gloves of the bad actor bacteria and oil and return to you a clean and more hygienic glove!

But here’s the thing, you’ve got to use it the right way. Don’t mix it with anything acidic like citric acid or vinegar. They don’t get along because they cancel each other out instead of cleaning.

It’s like putting two superheroes in the same room who don’t work well together; they end up fighting instead of tackling the villain – which in this case is the dirt and bacteria on the gloves.

This is also why the simple basic Oxi Clean spray seemed to be even more effective than the Oxi Clean powders I would add to the wash.

It is wise to not to mix the Oxi Clean sodium percarbonate with your laundry detergent directly.

They’re both great at their jobs, but if you put them together too soon, they start to work against each other instead of teaming up to clean.

I have heard some use blue Dawn dish soap for hand wash and soak them in a tub with other equipment. This will require a lot of rinsing and drying time. I still prefer the Oxi Clean for its simple ingredients that oxidize with water and wash away.

Here is my Hockey Glove Cleaning Recipe:

1. Spray regular Oxi Clean spray on the inside of each finger of the glove and inside of the glove.
2. I give a quick spray to the outside palm of the glove, as well
3. Place it in the washing machine with only his other hockey jersey, undergarments, etc. This Hockey Cycle needs to run solo.
4. To avoid an over agitation of his gloves and garments, I place it on Light and Tap Cold. The Oxi Clean’s Sodium percarbonate does the job effectively with or without hot water.
5. I do add a bit of regular washing detergent with a Sodium percarbonate additive to the general wash.
6. Press Start!
7. We were blessed with a sunny day this April, so out it went to dry in the sun. The sun works wonders against any mold or mildew why drying it naturally
8. If you need a little extra drying before the next practice or game, try a Boot Dryer and place/move the gloves in different positions to dry all over.
9. Enjoy your better-smelling and cleaner gloves!

Alternative Methods to Keep Hockey Gloves Bacteria-Free

Some people utilize other several sanitization methods you can employ to eliminate bacteria from your hockey gloves. Such as using disinfectant sprays directly to the gloves specifically designed for sports gear. These products are formulated to kill bacteria and neutralize odors, leaving your gloves fresh and clean.

Some players use shaving cream, hand sanitizer, or powder before donning gloves before using them.

Whatever you choose, regular glove sanitization or cleaning is crucial to maintaining a bacteria-free and odor-free environment.

Wrapping it up

Wrapping this up, I’ve learned that keeping hockey gloves fresh and bacteria-free is a bit like mastering a perfect slap shot: it demands the right approach, a sprinkle of savvy, and a willingness to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

By borrowing tactics from my cloth diaper cleaning days, I’ve tackled the challenge of sanitizing hockey gloves head-on. Whether I’m throwing them in the washing machine, giving them a thorough hand wash, or unleashing the cleaning power of sodium percarbonate, my mission is crystal clear – to make sure those gloves are not just clean but also a haven for my young player’s hands.

Remember, triumph in the battle against glove stench and bacteria comes down to consistent care and picking the best cleaning partners. So here’s to keeping those gloves in prime shape, ensuring every game starts on a fresh note!