Anyone who has ever played lacrosse can attest that it’s an intense, high-contact sport filled with dirt, sweat, mud — and sometimes, even blood. This means that keeping lacrosse pads and gear clean and free of bacteria is a critical step in keeping lacrosse players safe, healthy and continuing to play the sport they love. Why is it important to have clean lacrosse pads and gear? You’ve probably heard or read about recent outbreaks of Staph and MRSA happening in high school and college level sports teams. What you don’t hear about, however, is how disinfecting lacrosse pads and lacrosse gear and equipment could have prevented these diseases. When you fail to disinfect lacrosse pads and gear in between each use, you risk getting an infection. As clean gear experts, we have tips on how to disinfect lacrosse pads and gear to keep equipment clean and safe.
How to Clean & Disinfect Lacrosse Pads and Lacrosse Gear
Step One: Clean the player.
Starting with the basics, you want to make sure that the lacrosse player inside the lacrosse pads, helmets, gloves, and uniform is clean to start. Cleanliness is the mortal enemy of bacteria, viruses and germs. Maintaining regular and proper hygiene, catapults you to a solid healthy start out of the gate. This is easily accomplished with showering after every practice or game with soap, taking care to wash thoroughly.
Step Two: Remove any loose and visible dirt.
As simple as it sounds, this is an essential step in cleaning lacrosse pads. Shake or brush off any loose or visible dirt.
Step Three: Disinfect & deodorize.
Never, NEVER leave your damp or dirty lacrosse pads or lacrosse equipment inside your lacrosse bag.This will only cause bacteria to increase and greatly contributes to “lacrosse gear funk” (technical term for disgusting odors). To disinfect and deodorize lacrosse pads, spray pads thoroughly across all surfaces with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray at the end of every practice and every game (Clear Gear to the rescue). After spraying lay flat or hang to air dry. Allow pads to dry thoroughly before storing or putting them back in your lacrosse bag.
If your lacrosse pads have never been disinfected and is especially smelly from multiple uses, you may need to treat your gear more than one time to completely eliminate the odors. You can also (occasionally) run lacrosse pads through your washing machine’s gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent and then spray them with a sports gear disinfectant spray once they are completely dry. Washing lacrosse pads in a washing machine alone is not an effective way to kill bacteria. Using a disinfecting and deodorizing spray that’s safe for sports gear, like Clear Gear Spray, is the only way to safely and effectively get rid of 99.9% of the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause infections and odors.
Never use bleach or chlorine on lacrosse pads, as they can destroy the pads over time. Find a sports gear spray that’s safe to use on gear, and won’t corrode or damage the materials. Clear Gear Spray is water based, and chlorine and bleach free, which makes it safe to use on a variety of fabrics and surfaces.
Special Instructions for Cleaning Other Lacrosse Equipment & Gear
Lacrosse comes with several pieces of protective gear, and for good reason! In addition to knowing how to clean lacrosse pads, it’s important to know how to keep all of your lacrosse equipment clean, too.
How to Clean a Lacrosse Helmet
When you clean your helmet, be sure to spray both the inside and the outside with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports spray and let dry.
How to Clean a Lacrosse Face Mask
Pay close attention to cleaning your lacrosse face mask and chin guard. When left uncleaned, both of these are known to cause acne, blackheads and clogged pores. The face and head are also common place for scrapes and injuries so they serve as perfect portals of entry for germs, bacteria and nasty infections such as staph and MRSA. After each use, thoroughly spray down your lacrosse face mask and lacrosse chin guard with a sanitizing sports spray to prevent bacterial growth and transmission of illness.
How to Clean Lacrosse Gloves
When you clean lacrosse gloves, remember that they may be part leather, so never put them in the washing machine, as this can destroy them. Instead, simply spray them inside and out with a disinfectant sports gear spray and allow them to air dry. You can also stuff the insides with clean dry cloth or newspapers to help wick away moisture. Always let lacrosse gloves dry thoroughly after use – never stuff them into your lacrosse bag in between games and practice. If your lacrosse gloves are part leather, you can use a leather cleaner to keep the palms smooth and prevent cracks.
How to Clean Lacrosse Cleats
When it comes to cleaning lacrosse cleats, first you want to remove the inner sole linings and pads. Spray the inside of the cleat with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray. Also, give the insoles a thorough spray and allow them to air dry. Avoid using hot water on the cleats or insoles as they may shrink or become misshapen. Allow the lacrosse cleats and insoles to fully air dry before replacing the insoles inside the cleat.
How to Clean a Lacrosse Bag
Before returning any of your equipment to your lacrosse bag, turn the bag inside out and spray with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray and allow to air dry. Make sure that the bag is completely dry before returning your contents.
How to Clean a Lacrosse Stick
To keep your lacrosse stick in good shape, you’ll want to keep it clean and mud free in between uses. Spraying your lacrosse stick with a disinfectant spray and wiping down regularly can help keep it clean and make it last longer. Make sure to stuff your lacrosse stick pocket with clean cloth or newspaper to wick away moisture and help retain its shape.
Staying in the Game
Lacrosse pads and lacrosse gear can quickly contract nasty germs and bacteria from sweat, and improper storage and cleaning. Without thorough cleaning and disinfecting, you can contract an annoying or dangerous illness like MRSA, staph, impetigo, the flu, or herpes. Clear Gear Spray is a disinfecting and deodorizing athletic gear and equipment spray that kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, leaving your gear free of dangerous germs and disgusting odors. Deodorize and disinfect your equipment after each use with a quick spray of Clear Gear Spray to prevent odors and bacteria growth so you can stay healthy and in the game.
