If there’s one thing we’ve learned about hockey equipment over the past few years it’s that it won’t stay clean for very long. It seems that no matter what type of material or treatment the manufacturers try and use, they just can’t keep the bloodstains, oil, or other contaminants off the skates and equipment.
There are many reasons why this might be the case but mostly it’s because there’s just too much use of it. Each team practices three to four times a week, which means every pad, stick, and helmet is going to get plenty of work. When you consider there are eight teams in the NHL and most of them have a full roster of twenty-five players, it’s easy to see how much use hockey equipment gets. It’s a wonder why the manufacturers even bother trying to create innovative new equipment when they know it’s just a matter of time before it gets ruined or stolen.
Thankfully, there are many things you can do to extend the life of your hockey equipment. One of the best things you can do for your game is keep it clean. This means removing all the stuff that could potentially cause harm to yourself or your team. This includes keeping your equipment free from excessive wear on the surface or in the joints. It also means wiping down your equipment before and after every use to ensure no dirt or bacteria builds up over time. Even if you follow all these guidelines it’s still inevitable that your equipment will accumulate dirt, oil, and debris over time. So it’s crucial that you know how to clean it properly if you want to keep playing hockey.
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Clean It With The Right Tool
It’s important to use the right tool for any job so ensure you have the right equipment for the job. You don’t want to use a power tool for something as delicate as jewelry making and you definitely don’t want to use a blunt instrument to scrape paint off your vehicle. Most importantly, never scrub your equipment with anything other than clean water. Scrubbing with abrasive cloths or other household cleaners could potentially damage the material of your equipment. Even worse, some of these items are designed to be water-resistant which could cause them to swell, crack, or become completely ineffective if they are wet too often. This is why it’s crucial to always clean your equipment with clean water before and after use.
The Cleanest Is The Most Unwanted
If you’re ever shopping for a new pair of hockey equipment, you’ll notice the difference in the way the brands attract your attention. Even the packaging of each pair is something unique that might make you choose one brand over the other. One thing we’ve learned over the years is that the cleaner the equipment the more they are worth. This is because dirt and oil build up over time makes the material look and feel less luxurious. This is not a desirable attribute for a hockey player who wants to stay on the field as long as possible. The same goes for a car owner who doesn’t want his vehicle looking like it has been in a serious accident all of a sudden. This is why it’s important to keep your equipment clean so that it retains its value and looks as good as new.
The Magic Of Steam
Believe it or not, there’s a lot more that good old Steam could do for your hockey equipment. If you’ve never tried it then now might be the right time to give it a go. We’re talking about treating your pads with this magical liquid and letting it do its thing. After all, a little bit of steam every now and then could make your equipment look like it has been through an entire spa treatment. It’s amazing what a little bit of steam could do for an old pair of hockey pads. Just take a look at how much they transform just by being put in the microwave for a few seconds.
It would be best to do this outside because you don’t want to heat up your pads in the oven. Even then, you should only do so for ten to fifteen seconds because too much heat can cause some permanent damage to the surface. In most cases, this liquid can restore the original look of your equipment without any signs of wear. It can make your pads look like they’ve just come out of the box.
Hockey is a very popular sport with many teams and players around the world. It’s very easy to see why considering the benefits of participating in this sport. Keep your equipment clean and in good condition and you’ll be able to enjoy the game for many more years. Thanks for reading! We hope this article will help you keep your hockey equipment clean throughout the year and make sure you do your part to preserve this great sport for many years to come.