Washing lacrosse gear is necessary to any player's routine to ensure peak performance and longevity.
In this blog post, we'll cover the basics of how to wash lacrosse gear, from basic cleaning tips to deep clean methods that keep your equipment looking and feeling great game after game.
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Take Away Key Points:
Why do you need to keep your lacrosse equipment clean?
Keeping your lacrosse equipment clean is important to ensure peak performance and longevity. Keeping your lacrosse equipment clean is vital for a few reasons:
- It will keep the gear looking great, helping lacrosse players make a good impression on their opponents and coaches.
- It can help extend the life of the equipment, making it last longer and saving lacrosse players money in the long run.
- Clean equipment promotes better performance on the field, as dirt and grime can build up and cause problems with moving parts or even affect stick performance and ball control.
How to wash lacrosse gloves?
Hand-washing lacrosse gloves are a great way to maintain them while preserving the material. Here's how to clean your lacrosse gloves:
- Fill a sink or bathtub with warm water and add a small amount of gentle detergents like dish soap or baby shampoo, about half the amount you'd use for hand-washing dishes.
- Submerge the gloves in the soapy water and gently swish them around for about 10 minutes, being careful not to rub too hard and damage any stitching.
- Rinse the gloves thoroughly with cold water until all the soap is gone.
- Lay out a towel or hang the gloves in an area with good airflow so they can dry out naturally. Please do not put them in the dryer, as this could damage your gloves over time!
- Once they are completely dry, apply some leather lubricant onto a clean cloth and rub it over the surfaces of your lacrosse gloves to give them a fresh look and protect them from wear and tear during gameplay! Additionally, you can spray Glovestix Odor eliminator deodorizer to keep the bad smells away!
If you wish, you can put the lacrosse gloves in the washing machine, but this method does not guarantee a long-lasting effect as the hand-wash does. Make sure to only wash in a gentle cycle.
Here are the steps to properly clean your lacrosse gloves if you opt for machine wash:
- Soak the gloves in a mix of warm water and mild detergent for at least 15 minutes.
- Rinse the gloves with cold water to remove all the soap.
- Place the gloves into a washing machine on a gentle cycle and use cold water only. Do not use any bleach or fabric softener, as this can damage your gloves over time.
- Once the cycle is finished, air-dry the gloves by hanging them up or laying them out flat until they are completely dry. This might take several hours, depending on how wet they were after washing.
- Once dried, ensure your gloves still fit correctly and place any padding back inside if necessary.
- Lastly, spray some leather lubricant onto a clean cloth and rub it over the surfaces of your lacrosse gloves to give them a fresh look and keep them protected from wear and tear during gameplay!
How to clean a lacrosse head & stick?
Cleaning your lacrosse head and stick should be done regularly to keep them in good condition. Here's how to clean your lacrosse head and stick:
- For the head, use a sponge and an all-purpose cleaning solution to wipe away any dirt and debris. Be sure to reach into all the crevices and grooves.
- Once satisfied, use a soft damp cloth or paper towel dampened with water to clean away any residue from the solution.
- For the lacrosse stick, start by wiping down the shaft with a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any loose dirt or debris.
- Then, use some warm water mixed with a mild detergent mixed together in a spray bottle to spritz on areas that need extra cleaning attention. Allow it to sit in the appropriate amount of the mixture for about 5-10 minutes before using a brush or sponge for more challenging spots.
- Finally, use another rag dampened with cold water to rinse off all remaining soapy water residue from the lacrosse stick and allow it to air dry completely before storing or playing! Also, make sure to stuff the lacrosse stick pocket with soft materials to remove moisture.
How to deodorize & clean cleats?
Cleaning and deodorizing lacrosse cleats can sometimes be challenging after a muddy game! But, you must clean the lacrosse cleats on the outside and disinfect them from the inside to prevent bacteria build-up.
Here's how:
- Start by removing all laces, removable inserts, and other pieces of hardware from your cleats.
- Next, spray the inside and outside of the cleats with a disinfectant spray or a mixture of water and vinegar. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before wiping down surfaces with a paper towel or cloth to remove any dirt or grime.
- If your cleats have sweaty odors, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, and 2 cups of warm water in a bowl (avoid using hot water). Apply this solution to the shoe's interior using an old toothbrush or soft cloth. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it out with cold water.
- To deodorize naturally, put some coffee grounds into small cotton bags and place them inside your shoes overnight to absorb odors; then shake out the coffee grounds in the morning!
- Finally, allow your cleats to air-dry completely before storing or playing lacrosse! For quick drying, you can put newspaper in the cleats to remove the moisture and excess odor!
How to clean lacrosse pads?
Cleaning lacrosse shoulder pads and elbow pads should be done regularly to keep them in good condition and free of dirt or grime buildup. Here's how:
- Take off all removable parts of the pads, including laces, straps, and inserts.
- Use a damp cloth to lightly scrub dirt and grime from the surface of the pads. Be sure to reach into all crevices and grooves around buckles, snaps, and Velcro closures.
- Thoroughly rinse all remaining soapy water residue with cold water before air drying entirely in an area with good ventilation.
It's best to wash the shoulder pads manually and avoid using the washing machine as it can cause damage to the shape and quality of the pads.
How to clean a lacrosse helmet?
Cleaning a lacrosse helmet is important to keep it performing at its best and free of dirt, grime, and bacteria. Here's how:
- Start by removing all detachable parts, such as face masks, visors, chin guards, or clips.
- Using a cloth dipped in warm water and mild detergent (never chlorine bleach), lightly scrub the helmet's surface to remove any dirt or grime buildup. Be sure to get into all crevices and grooves around buckles, snaps, and Velcro closures.
- If there are still stubborn stains or odors on the helmet after drying, apply an antibacterial solution on the affected areas with an old toothbrush or soft cloth; then rinse away with cold water afterward!
FAQs
Can you wash lacrosse gear in the washing machine?
Most lacrosse gear can be washed in the washing machine. However, it is not recommended. It is best to hand wash lacrosse gear with mild detergent and cold water.
Can you put lacrosse gear in the dryer?
No, it is not recommended to put lacrosse gear in the dryer. Extreme heat can cause damage to the gear and can also shrink or stretch the material. Instead, it is best to air dry lacrosse gear after washing it with mild detergent and cold water.
How do you get the smell out of lacrosse gloves?
The best way to get rid of the smell is to hand wash the gloves in warm water with a mild detergent and then air dry them. You can also use a sports detergent specifically designed for athletic equipment.
How to make lacrosse balls grippy again?
To make lacrosse balls grippier, you can use a ball-conditioning spray specifically designed for leather sports equipment. You can also lightly sand the ball's surface to create an extra grip, but be careful not to apply too much pressure or sand too harshly, as this can damage the ball.
Can you wash the lacrosse chest protector?
Yes, you can wash a lacrosse chest protector. Hand washing with a mild detergent is the recommended method, but you can also machine-wash it in cold water on a delicate cycle with no bleach or fabric softener. Be sure to use a garment bag if washing the chest protector in the machine, get rid of the excess water, and lay it flat to dry afterward.
How do you hand wash lacrosse gear?
First, rinse the gear with cold water to remove dirt or debris.
Next, fill a sink or bucket with lukewarm water and add a mild or laundry detergent designed for sports equipment.
Gently scrub the equipment with a soft brush and use an old toothbrush to clean any hard-to-reach areas. Next, rinse the item thoroughly with cool water and lay it flat to air dry.
What happens if you wash a pad in the washing machine?
Although you can wash a pad in the washing machine, it's best to stick to manual washing and avoid putting pads in it. In the washer, lacrosse pads can lose their shape and good condition.
Conclusion
Washing lacrosse gear is relatively easy and can help keep your equipment in top shape.
With proper care and knowledge on how to wash lacrosse gear, you can enjoy your sport for longer!
Freddy is the heart and soul of Lacrosse Runner. As a former athlete, Freddy is very passionate about Lacrosse. He keeps up with the sport’s changes and innovations and often tests the new equipment released by the leading manufacturers. Read more here