Have you ever played hockey and then gone to wash your equipment and it looks like you’ve been in a slaughterhouse? Well, we’ve all been there. The problem is that when you are washing your equipment, it’s already contaminated by the elements (mostly water). Even if you’re using antibacterial soap, you’re not completely avoiding the risk of getting sick from bacteria and fungi.
There are ways to get rid of the microorganisms on your equipment without having to throw it away. Cleaning your hockey equipment with household cleaners is not recommended because these cleaners often have other chemical compounds that are more harmful to the environment. Some of the harmful compounds are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic. So if you’re looking to keep your equipment for the long term, then you should consider alternative ways of cleaning it.
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Heat
You can use heat to eliminate bacteria and mold from your hockey equipment and it’s a great way to go about it. There are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your heat treatment:
- Wash your gear in hot water: Washing your gear in hot water can help remove oils and any bacteria or mold that might be present on the surface. To start, fill a bucket with about 10-15 gallons of hot water and submerge your gear in it for about 20 minutes.
- Soak your gear in a mixture of water and alcohol: After you’ve washed your gear in hot water, you can use a mixture of water and alcohol to clean it again. In this case, it’s advisable to soak your gear in this mixture for about 10 minutes, and then let it air dry.
- Shine it with a heat resistant coating: After you’ve cleaned your equipment with alcohol, you can use a hair drier to give it a quick wipe down and remove any excess moisture. What you need to do is dip the entire surface of your equipment in a thin coat of hair spray or clear nail polish and let it dry for about 10 minutes. This step is not necessary if you’ve just washed your gear and are about to use it again; however, doing it afterward can protect the finish of your equipment from any scratches or other damage that might occur during play. This way, when it comes time to clean your hockey equipment again, it’ll be like brand new!
- Dry your gear thoroughly: Like we mentioned above, when you wash your equipment it usually ends up wet. The next step is to dry it thoroughly to prevent any bacteria or mold from growing back. You can use an oven or a heat gun to speed up the drying process. Make sure when using these appliances that you always vent the moisture that they produce so that nothing starts growing (especially not mold!).
- Use antibacterial soap: To avoid any possibility of your gear ending up in the hospital after a play day, wash it in an antibacterial soap before and after use. A lot of households have very poor water pressure, so it’s essential that whenever you wash your equipment, you use a pressure washer to get the maximum clean. Make sure you rinse off the soap afterwards to avoid any irritation or damage to your skin.
- Air dry your gear: After you’ve cleaned your hockey equipment, it’s important to let it air dry. This way, any excess moisture will evaporate and it won’t cause any future problems (especially if you have an allergy or asthma). The problem is that some people think that this step is unnecessary and it can actually lead to more harm than good. If you have a lot of moisture present on the surface of your equipment, then it might end up attracting worms or other parasites that could make you sick. So it’s best to let your equipment air dry only when absolutely necessary (i.e. after riding in a drippy rain or near a swamp).
Clean It With A Brushed Bristle
Bristles are used in a lot of different ways, but in this case, we’re talking about cleaning your hockey equipment with a wire brush. You can find wire brushes at most hardware stores for washing cars and they’re easy to use. Just remember that these machines are not indestructible and they tend to wear out over time. So if you use them frequently (which is usually the case), then it’s important to purchase these items and replace them often.
The great thing about using a wire brush to clean your equipment is that it allows for easy access to all the crevices and grooves on the surface. When using this method, it’s preferable to work in a well-ventilated area and make sure that the room is completely cleaned afterwards (especially if you’re using an oven as a heat source). It’s also wise to wear gloves when washing your equipment because it can quickly become tedious work without them. Do this a few times a month to ensure that your equipment is always looking its best!
There are many ways to clean your hockey equipment and what we’ve described above are the most common and effective methods. No matter what method you decide to use, always make sure that your equipment is cleaned thoroughly before and after use to avoid any accidents or infections.