How to Care for Your Hockey Gear

Care for Hockey Skates (Boyd Sutton, Easton Hockey)

  • After every skate make sure the blades are completely dry.
  • Always use skate soakers when packing your skates into your bag. They protect the blades from the helmet cages it will save you from frequent sharpening.
  • Always dry your skates after each time you hit the ice. Skates that stay wet will break down quicker even with the new technologies.
  • Sharpen your skates a minimum of 1 every 2 weeks. Dull skates can lead to injuries.
  • When you do sharpen your skates try the new "FLAT BOTTOM V." This is a new technology being tried at the NHL level and it's going over really well.

Hockey Funk

  • Keep hockey bags fresh by using FDS Feminine Deodorant Spray
  • Use it when the bags comes back home or leave it in the bag, but you might want to wrap it with duct tape to avoid embarrassing your player (Submitted by Judy R., Westminster, CO)

Equipment Storage

  • Bags are for transporting gear, not for storage.
  • Equipment should be taken out of the bag and aired out after each use.
  • Drying out equipment prevents infection and extends the life of your gear.

What to keep in Your Hockey Bag

  1. Resealable bag with screwdriver that has Philips head and straight bit, extra helmet screws and backers, extra skate lace, and scissors.
  2. Tape: either white or black cloth, 1 roll of clear , 1 roll of duct tape. Duct tape sticks to everything. It's the best cure for blisters and the best band aid for sweaty hockey players.
  3. Mouth guard case
  4. Extra set of black practice socks set of skate soakers.

Cleaning Your Hockey Gear

Bath Tub
If you have a jetted bathtub this is a great tip. (Submitted by Kathy M., Westminster, CO)

  • Add laundry soap and a few tablespoons of bleach
  • Fill tub with warm water and add gear (not helmet)
  • Turn on jets to agitate
  • Drain tub and fill with clean cold water to rinse, agitate again
  • Repeat until water comes out clean (well, as clean as possible :) )

Washing machine

  • Hottest water, Gentlest Cycle
  • Deodorizing detergent such as Febreeze and add bleach
  • Dry in the sun, on the floor or a large drying rack

Cleaning helmet

  • Wipe out helmet with tea tree oil or witch hazel to clean and disinfect
  • Wipe out helmet with no-tear shampoo* and water, then wipe with sponge.
  • Rinse well, making sure to get the soap out.
* Using tear-free shampoo will ensure that if there is soap residue, your player won’t have stinging in their eyes during the next game.

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