You got a hockey bag now. Congrats! You worked hard for it and it’s a great piece of sports equipment to have. But it doesn’t come without its share of problems. That bag is probably covered in dust and grime from hockey games and other rough, active playdays. While the bag itself may be strong and have endured multiple games and practices, the lining of the bag, which is the fabric that touches your skates and sticks, may be damaged or worn out from frequent use. It seems like every other line on your bag is a cause for concern. And what’s more, is that the lining of the bag is mostly made of polyester, which is a synthetic material that you don’t want to put too much weight on. It also doesn’t breathe well, which makes the sweater, jacket, or pants you’re wearing more uncomfortable on hot days. So it’s important that you know how to take good care of your hockey bag and how to clean it effectively, before your sweat, blood, and ice-cream stains turn it into a disaster.
Table of Contents
The Initial Cleaning Step
You should always remove the outerwear and equipment before washing your gear. This way, you’ll be sure that you’re getting the full benefit of the wash. There are many different methods on how to clean a hockey bag, but we’ll cover the basics so that you can understand and apply them to any make or model.
Wash your equipment in hot water with very little detergents. Avoid the use of fabric softeners and dryer sheets as they may cause dye transfer and dry clean only if absolutely necessary. In the winter months, try to wash your equipment at least once a week to avoid the buildup of dirt and grime on the surface. When you use cold water to wash your skates and other equipment, you may end up with icy skates and torn pants.
Dry your equipment thoroughly after washing. Always let your items air dry after washing. It will help remove any excess moisture from the surface and prevent mold and mildew from forming. A lot of hockey bags are shipped with holes in the bottom, which are covered with a velcro strip. It’s important to remove this strip before washing your gear, as it will make your bag heavy and difficult to move around.
Use Natural Products
Many people are fortunate enough to have great outdoor resources close to their homes, which is why you should always consider using natural products for cleaning and washing your equipment. If possible, use biodegradable products that break down naturally during the depuffing process.
There are many different methods of obtaining natural products, including:
- Wash your clothes in cold water with lots of whites after each wash. This will make your clothes last longer.
- Use baking soda to clean your house and car. Baking soda is a multi-purpose cleaner that you can use to remove grease, oil, and other pollutants from your car and home surfaces – just be sure to test it in a small area first to make sure that it’s safe for your appliances and electronics.
- Don’t use chlorine-based cleaners or bleaches on your water supply. These are just some of the many dangerous chemicals that are readily available for home and garden use. If possible, use a water softener or purifier instead.
- Avoid using fabric softeners on your clothes.
- Consider using enzyme-based cleaners for appliances and electronics. There are many different types of enzymes available for purchase that can help break down oil, stains, and other organic compounds on your surfaces.
- Use a vacuum cleaner on a regular basis to eliminate dirt, hair, and fur from your house. A lot of these appliances are affordable yet effective. Just make sure that you don’t use the same vacuum cleaner to clean the floor and upholstery at the same time.
- Don’t use detergents when cleaning your house or car. These are usually harmful to the environment and they won’t dissolve all the dirt, oil, and pollution left behind by cooking, cleaning, and driving. Try using cloth masks instead.
- Look into using a steam cleaner on a regular basis. These appliances use high heat and moisture to clean surfaces effectively. They’re ideal for use on houses with hardwood floors, as they tend to leave behind a beautiful sheen. If your home has tile or vinyl flooring, then consider using a dryer on a regular basis to remove any unwanted oils and spills. This will make your floors look like new again.
- Vacuum clean your dog’s ears regularly to remove ear wax and debris. You can also use a cotton ball or a brush on a regular basis to clean their ears, especially if they have long hair around their ears. You don’t want ear wax to build up and cause ear infections or worse.
- Consider using a scrub brush on the outside of your home windows to remove any oil or moisture from the glass before allowing the sun to hit it directly. This will help prevent any harmful UV rays from penetrating the house and harming your furnishings or electronics. Just make sure that you don’t use this method on heavily framed windows, as the pressure from the frame against the wall could cause damage.
How To Wash A Hockey Bag
Once you’ve cleaned your gear and dried it well, it’s time to move on to the next step. The following instructions will teach you how to wash your hockey bag, with or without the use of a washing machine.
Empty the contents of your bag out on a clean surface. You can use the hockey board, asphalt, or concrete, for example, to ensure that your gear is clean and dry. Throwing a football or baseball field would be a great place for you to start. If it’s somewhere cold, like the arctic circle, then lay down some blankets while setting up camp in the nearest warming tent.
Spray the outside of your bag with some water. In very cold weather, wetting down your gear will help warm it up a bit and make it more pliable and easier to handle. After you’ve sprayed the outside of your bag, wipe it down with a clean, dry towel. Follow up by applying a waterproofing spray to the exterior. This will ensure that any of the water that got on the outside does not cause any damage on the inside.
Lay your bag on its side and vacuum seal the bottom. The use of a vacuum sealer will keep all the dirt, gunk, and other unmentionables at the bottom of the bag. After you’ve sealed the bottom of your bag, cut a small hole in the top. You can use a paper towel or a brush to remove any excess liquid that may have built up during transportation or setup. This will prevent any liquid from getting into the bag and causing it to become overly saturated and heavy.
Fill your sink or tub with warm water. If possible, use a clean, dry towel to wipe down all the surfaces of your tub or sink. Ensure that the surfaces are clean and dry before you start adding your gear to be washed. There are many different ways in which dirt and oil can build up on your tub or sink over time, so it’s important that you clean them on a regular basis.
Drain your tub or sink once all the water has been removed. Throw away any dirty water that remains in the tub or sink. It’s important that you empty out and clean your sink or tub on a regular basis, regardless of how often you use it. This will help maintain the original condition of your bathroom.
Use A Washing Machine
If you have a washing machine at home, then follow the instructions above, with the exception of emptying out your bag and wiping the tub or sink with a clean, dry towel. Instead, put all your clean equipment into the washing machine, along with some detergents and fabric softeners. On the other hand, if you don’t have a washing machine, then you’ll need to do some research on how to wash your bag by hand. The best method depends on the type of fabric and material your bag is made of. If possible, try out different methods to see which one works best for you.
Use A Dryer
If you have a dryer at home, then follow the instructions above, with the exception of emptying out your bag and wiping the tub or sink with a clean, dry towel. Once you’ve dried all your gear with the dryer, it’s time to re-pack it and continue using it. However, if your dryer is over 10 years old, then it’s time to consider upgrading to a newer model. The average lifespan of a dryer is about 10 years, so you’ll eventually have to replace it if you continue to use it regularly. Dryers are great for drying wet clothes and removing any loose water from the surface, which will make your clothes last longer.