It’s that time of the year again. The warm weather is making you feel all sorts of urges – from sleeping early to eating spicy food – but the only thing that matters is that you have hockey on the brain!
Unless you play hockey professionally, you probably know that the field season is over and the hockey sticks have been packed away. But that doesn’t mean you have to be without the game you love for the rest of the year!
If you’re looking for ways to pass the time, there are actually a lot of options beyond just watching TV or going for walks with your pet dog. You might consider trying out a new sport you’ve always wanted to try or upgrading your existing hobby. And what better way to indulge your passion for the game than by investing in some high-quality, personalized hockey equipment?
The gear for field hockey isn’t exactly cheap, and it’s certainly not cheap when you consider all the blades, gloves, and pants you need for the entire season. It’s not even close to being a one-person sport, so you’re bound to need help carrying all that equipment. Which is why most people (myself included) find it easier to just shell out the money for a couple of hockey bags and leave the rest to the pros.
But if you want to keep the thrill of the game (and who doesn’t?), you may find that storing and transporting your equipment isn’t something you can always depend on. This is where things can quickly go wrong without proper care and preparation. And let’s face it – nobody likes to rush into things half-heartedly, so it’s easy for things to go wrong.
So how do you ensure that your equipment is always ready and waiting for you when you arrive at your next game? How do you prevent things from going wrong in the first place?
Fortunately, there are some simple but effective ways to prepare and clean your field hockey equipment so that when you drop it off at the cleaners, it comes back as good as new. Here are some of the things you can do.
Wash Everything In Advance
When you receive your equipment, make sure all the items are washed and completely dry before you begin using them. This prevents a lot of the stress that comes with dirty equipment and sweaty bags. And guess what? Few things are more uncomfortable than sliding on a wet glove or having a ball come detached during practice.
The best way to ensure this is to wipe down all the equipment before you pack it away. Dry the equipment thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth or towel. You can use a bit of soap on the cloth to make it easier to clean the equipment better. The cloth will simply dry and clean your equipment as you use it. This adds an extra step and is something you may want to do regardless to avoid the stress.
Store Your Equipment In Sturdy Bags
Yes, we all love shiny new gear, but nobody likes to carry around a lot of extra weight. Especially when you’re playing a leisure sport like hockey. The more you have to carry, the more you slow down and the less enjoyable it is. So whenever possible, store your equipment in sturdy bags made of durable material such as vinyl or nylon. These are the types of bags you’ll probably use on your daily walks with your pet dog. They’re very practical and can carry all your dog’s gear as well as a couple of pairs of skates. Plus, they look much more interesting to other people than plain old plastic bags.
Carry A Spare Pair Of Skates
You never know what could happen on the field during a game. At least with this option, you have a backup plan ready to go. This way, if one of the pairs of skates you use during the game breaks, you’re still covered. If you’re playing in a league or tournament that utilizes different rules and regulations, then it’s essential to have a spare set of equipment. You can never be too careful when it comes to hockey, especially since it’s such a fast-paced sport. The last thing you want is to be playing with a defective pair of skates, especially when the game is already underway.
Take Advantage Of The Absence Of The Rules
You can’t control Mother Nature, and the wind can always be unpredictable. This is why during the winter months, when it’s not appropriate to do so, you should store your equipment on a rack or on the wall outdoors to keep it safe and dry. However, during the summer months, you can put the equipment on the ground so it stays cool and dry. Just make sure that you cover it with a clean, waterproof bag when there’s no danger of rain or snowfall. This way, you can be sure that your equipment is safe and protected at all times.
Now that you’re ready to play and have stored all your equipment, what’s the one thing you want to make sure of? Cleaning and preserving your field hockey gear because, let’s face it, with all the sweat, oil, and dirt, it’s not exactly pretty to look at. So here are some tips from a professional cleaner on how to properly clean and preserve your field hockey equipment.
Wash The Equipment Once A Week
It’s crucial that you clean your equipment regularly. However, the best way to do this is to wash it every week. A lot of people think you have to wet the equipment and leave it in the sun to dry. While this will help with the cleaning process, it won’t do much for the aesthetics. You should always clean your field hockey equipment after every use and before you store it away.
By washing it, you remove the dirt and oil that has accumulated during play. This will prevent the equipment from corroding and becoming unusable. If you want to take this a step further, you can use some dish soap and water to help clean the equipment even more. These are the items you’ll need:
- A couple of large plastic trash bags
- Hand sanitizer
- Soft, clean cloths
- Spring-mounted hangers (to hang up your equipment when cleaned)
After cleaning each item, you should dry it thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth or towel before packing it away. This step will help prevent the growth of mold and fungus that can occur if the item is not dried properly after cleaning.
Never Use Dry Cleaners
Dry cleaners are great for removing stains from your clothing, but they’re not the best option for cleaning your hockey equipment. Using them may leave some of the harmful chemicals that they contain behind. Instead, if there’s any cleaning needed, use alcohol or soap and water. But make sure not to rub the item too much, as this will wear away the finish and leave you with a raw, unappetizing surface.
The point of this article wasn’t to discourage you from playing hockey. Just to give you some helpful tips on how to take care of your gear so that you can continue enjoying the game! If you want to keep the thrill of the game, then make sure you always have a backup pair of skates and that you wash the single pair you use regularly. It’s also essential to store your equipment in sturdy bags and take advantage of the summer to keep it cool and dry. Last but not least, make sure to wash your equipment after use and before storing it away. These tips will help keep your hockey gear in good condition so that when the next season comes, you can just pick up where you left off.