As a goalkeeper you are often harassed about the stench that flows from the gear in your hockey bag. Let’s face it the last thing you feel like doing after a hard game is to come home, remove your gear from the car, unpack your gear, wash it or simply air it out in a place that is acceptable to everyone else you live with. But is there is a solution – NO it simply has to be done. Maybe not washed every time but certainly aired out to prevent bacteria development. A question often asked by new goalkeepers and certainly by a goalkeeper’s family if you do not ask is how do you best clean goalkeeping gear.
The following is merely an example process. Long time goalkeepers may have found a process that works best for them. Goalkeeping forums are a place to find out more.
Step 1: Fill a bathtub or large sink (large enough to fit all of your equipment) about 1/3 of the way with hot water. You will be putting your hands in the water so make sure it is not too hot to touch.
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Step 2: Add about ¼ cup of laundry detergent to the tub as it is filling making sure that the detergent spreads and mixes into the water. Other alternatives to adding laundry detergent are;
- Borax. Try Glitz Green Borax, which you can get from Bunnings Hardware, is a naturally occurring mineral substance that can be used as a multi-purpose cleaner, stain remover and deodorizer, a natural mineral, and easily dissolves in water]
- White vinegar. Add a cup to the water. It helps to breakdown and remove the odor.
Step 3: Put all of the hockey gear (minus helmet) into the water. Be sure to dunk the gear so all of it is exposed to the detergent/water mixture. Let the gear soak for 30 to 45 minutes.
FABRIC CONDITIONER
Step 4: Drain the tub and clean out all of the soap. Refill with cold water add a fabric conditioner and soak briefly. Then drain tub again and rinse all of the equipment with clean, room temperature water to get the residue off of your gear.
Step 5: Wring out any excess water and hang up all equipment to dry. Be sure to hang the gear in an area with good air ventilation so that it can dry in a reasonable amount of time.
Step 6: Spray and wipe down the empty hockey bag with a disinfectant spray and deodorizer . Make sure the bag and equipment are completely dry before re-packing your bag. Alternatively you can use a product called Odor Gladiator™. It is a patented athlete-customized high-performance deodorizer that battles stench in the most inhospitable of environments. Unlike damaging detergents and irritating sprays requiring constant reapplication, Odor Gladiator is a safe, effortless solution that battles odor for up to 120 days.
As an alternative to washing all your goalie gear in a tub you may put the smaller goalie bits, e.g., protectors, neck collar etc, in a pillowcase in the washing machine, big bits and foam in the bath
It is recommended that you go through this process once every couple of weeks. Goalie smocks and socks can go in the washing machine but do not use the dryer in case of shrinking. Special attention will need to be given to goalie smocks and socks with logos or bright colors. Airing out equipment after every use is crucial as a preventative measure.
Hopefully these simple steps will lessen that smell that all non-hockey players complain about. We are sure that it will help to kill the bacteria on your equipment and, in the long run, will help to prevent sickness and diseases.
