Cleaning Your Safety Gear

Skate gear can be expensive.  The best way to save money on new pads is to take care of the ones you already have.  One of the more common reasons to replace pads is not because they are broken, but because the smell has become overwhelming.  I'm going to discuss a few different methods for washing your pads.  Here are some Dos and Don'ts before we get to the actual cleaning.

Don't leave your sweaty pads in your bag after practice.  You're tired from practice and all you want to do is hop in the shower and relax.  Do yourself a solid and take the time to empty your derby bag first.  It can be harder to get the smell out of pads than regular clothes and the bag itself will start to smell.  Unpack everything, spread it all out, and let it dry over night.  Leaving a bag of sweaty gear in your car during a hot, sunny day will be the kind of mistake you only make once.

Use deodorizing spray.  You can purchase name brand and locally produced deodorizing sprays.  There are also easy recipes online to make your own.  Apply it to the outside and inside of your pads and the inside of your helmet.  A quick spritz of inexpensive deodorizing spray at the end of practice can help in the fight against funk.  Don't forget to periodically spray your derby bag, too.

Wash your mouthguard.  Mouths are dirty, germ holes full of bacteria.  Mouthguards can be brushed with toothpaste and a toothbrush.  It's also an option to soak it in mouthwash or denture cleaner for an extra clean and a little minty kick.

Don't heat dry you pads.  Plastic melts.  Just hang them up or spread them out on a table to dry.  It may take up to two days for them to air dry completely.

Clean your helmet liner.  The padding of your helmet can sometimes be removed and washed along with your pads.  If you have a helmet that doesn't disassemble so easily, trying spraying it with a deodorizer, barbicide, or an antibacterial spray like Lysol.

There are multiple methods for washing pads.  Find which one is easiest for you and your available space.

1. The washing machine.  Close up any Velcro straps so there are as few parts hanging free as possible.  Pads can be placed in a pillowcase that's either knotted shut or closed with a rubber band.  Pads can also be placed directly in the washing machine if you don't mind the noise.  Wash on a gentle cycle with hot water and an extra rinse cycle if available.  Remember, no heat drying.
2. The bath tub or sink.  Fill your tub or sink with just enough water to fully submerge your pads.  Add around ¼ cup laundry detergent and ¼ cup white vinegar.  Let the pads soak for at least 30 minutes.  Rinse very well and air dry.  Don't worry, the vinegar smell is light and disappears while drying.
3. The dishwasher.  For this method, place your pads in the top rack of the dishwasher.  Clean them on a light or China cycle.  Again, be sure to have any heat dry cycles turned off.  Otherwise you will melt your pads and cause a very expensive and potentially dangerous mess.

These are a few of the ways to stay on top of derby funk.  Once the smell reaches a certain level of odor, pads will no longer be recoverable, leaving you with the only option of replacing them.  Having super smelly pads is also a great way to lessen the number of hits you take because no one will want to be so close to you.  Periodic cleaning is also good for bacteria management. A good rule of thumb is the nicer you are to your gear equals how nice your gear is to you.