Hockey gear can get pretty stinky. Even if you washed it before you left the ice, there’s still that lingering scent that you can’t get rid of. While you might not care about other people’s opinions of your smelly skates, you should care about how you smell because it tells the world you’re serious about your ice hockey career. There’s no need to spend thousands on expensive deodorizers if you don’t want to. With these tricks, you’ll be able to get rid of that awful odor and show the world what a clean Nellie you are!
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Wash Your Skates Regularly
One of the primary reasons why hockey gear gets stinky is because it’s not washed often enough. Even though you wear tracksuits and sweatpants when you play hockey, you should still wash your skates at least once a week. Besides, if you do a lot of sitting on the ice, you should clean them more frequently. Washing your skates can help get rid of the smell as well as any stains or dirt that might be on them. It’s also a good idea to clean them with wooden paddles instead of plastic ones as the former increase friction and thus increase the effectiveness of the wash.
Dry Them In The Shade
If you’re playing hockey during the summertime, you should always try to dry your skates in the shade. When the sun is beaming down and the wind is blowing in the right direction, you’re going to have that dreaded odor as soon as you step off the ice. Aside from the smell, the ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause your skates to deteriorate quickly. If you have a garage, you can use it to store your skates in. This way, you can ensure they stay clean and free from any bacteria or fungus that might grow in the warm, humid air.
Air Them Out
When you’re done playing, you should always let your skates air out before you wear them again. This is going to be particularly important if you plan on storing them in direct sunlight. Just take them out of your garage or other storage spaces and let them air for at least 15 minutes before putting them away. This is going to help remove most of that terrible smell, at least.
The Science Behind Why Hockey Gear Smells
The actual cause of why hockey gear smells is because it’s made of synthetic materials that are both waterproof and odor-resistant. While this might be useful to athletes and hockey players, the materials used to create these outfits aren’t great for your health over time. Natural fibers such as wool or cotton can breathe better and allow for better air circulation, thus reducing the chances of any strong smells.
Overall, synthetic materials such as acrylic or polyester increase the odds of your skates emitting foul odors. Aside from the chemicals that are often used to create these products, the materials themselves can also become stinky over time. For this reason, it’s best to wear sneakers when you’re not playing to prevent any odor transfer to your skating boots. This is also beneficial since most hockey players have a habit of wearing the same pair of shoes for long periods of time without washing them.
For as long as you play hockey, your sneakers are going to smell like whatever the hell you wear them in. It’s only when you wash them that they start smelling like new. Aside from the regular washing of your sneakers, you should try to air out their pairs when you finish playing so they don’t reek when you wear them next. This is why it’s best to have a pair of shoes for both indoor and outdoor use so you’re not completely dependent on a single pair.
How Long Does It Take For My Boots To Get Rid Of The Smell?
Although we can’t control how long it takes for your boots to get rid of the smell, we can tell you how long it takes for most other types of clothing and gear to get stinky. This is because the sweat, oil, and urine from your pads, pants, and underwear aren’t cleaned out by daily washing; instead, they start to smell after a while due to the heat. Just like your skates, the smell from your boots will only be gone after you wash them.
Wash Your Pads, Pants, And Underwear Regularly
Just like your skates, your pads, pants, and underwear are going to start smelling if you don’t clean them frequently enough. To keep your undergarments odor-free, you should wash them at least once a week or whenever they become stained or dirty. Besides, make sure to air them out whenever you’re finished wearing them.
Do I Need To Worry About Odor If I Play In An Indoor Facility?
If you play in a colder climate, you might not need to worry about odors as much. When it comes to indoor facilities, the air quality can be extremely low. This is why you should always wear deodorizers when playing in a gym or other indoor locations. Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to odor-free deodorizers so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the right one for the job. Just make sure to check the label and look for those with high levels of nitrogen and low levels of chlorine so that when you wash them they don’t discolor or deteriorate quickly.
Even if you follow all of these tips and wash your skates, dry them in the shade, and wear your sneakers when you’re not playing, you’re still going to have that awful odor lingering behind. This is when you know you need to replace those dirty socks.