Sports equipment can easily become a hotspot for germs and smells. Here are some tips to help you regularly clean and sanitize your child’s gear this season.
Washing Sports Clothes and Uniforms
If your child isn’t wrestling in ancient Greece, they’re probably wearing a uniform to their games and practices. Here are some tips to thoroughly clean and sanitize their sports clothes:
- Using more detergent doesn’t make clothes cleaner. In fact, too much detergent or fabric softener can cause buildup that traps more odor.
- Add a cup of white vinegar and half the usual amount of laundry detergent to your wash to remove odors and clear away buildup.
- Wash sports clothes inside out in cold water using a detergent made for sports apparel. For very smelly loads, add a quarter to half a cup of vinegar or baking soda.
- Hang elastic garments like football and baseball pants to air dry.
Washing Pads and Gear
The best way to keep gear sterile and odor-free is to spray and dry it regularly after use. However, it’s also important to give everything a thorough deep clean occasionally.
- Spray gear with products like Force of Nature, Clear Gear, or another disinfectant listed by the EPA.
- Let the gear air dry.
- Pads and bags can be machine washed using the detergent guidelines mentioned earlier. For top load washers, select gentle settings to avoid damaging the equipment. Set the washer for a large load with a pre-wash and heavy soil setting.
- Pads and bags can be machine washed using the detergent guidelines mentioned earlier. For top load washers, select gentle settings to avoid damaging the equipment. Set the washer for a large load with a pre-wash and heavy soil setting.
- Wash football shoulder pads by placing them in a pillowcase and tying the open end shut.
- Avoid machine drying sports equipment to prevent warping and damage. Instead, hang them to dry or place them on a rack and use a fan to circulate air and speed up the drying process.
- Helmets: Regularly wipe down and spray, especially focusing on the chin guards. For a deep clean, fill a bathtub with warm water and baby shampoo. Use a sponge or toothbrush to thoroughly scrub the nooks and crannies.
- Skates, cleats, and shoes: Spray and air dry right after use. Remove the insoles to machine wash them, and replace them periodically as needed.
Sterilizing Equipment
In sports where athletes share equipment, it’s crucial to have a plan for regularly sterilizing both the equipment and the players who use it.
- Encourage players to wash their hands thoroughly before and after practice, and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the dugout, on the bench, or in the locker room. This is especially important before eating any handheld food.
- Use sprays and wipes from the EPA’s list of approved disinfectants, or create your own cleaning solution by mixing 5 tablespoons (⅓ cup) of bleach per gallon of water.
- Minimize the sharing of personal items like water bottles and towels by encouraging each athlete to bring their own.
- Make sure all gear is clearly labeled to prevent mix-ups.
- Assign a parent volunteer to disinfect shared items during games and practices as needed.