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Tag: sports gear cleaning

  • Lacrosse Gear Guide for Parents: What Your Child Needs & How to Maintain It

    Lacrosse Gear Guide for Parents: What Your Child Needs & How to Maintain It

    Lacrosse Gear 101: A Parent’s Guide to Outfitting & Maintaining Your Child’s Equipment

    If your child is starting lacrosse for the first time, you might be wondering: What gear do they need? and How do I keep it clean and odor-free?

    Lacrosse is a fast-paced and physical sport, requiring specific protective gear to keep players safe. However, with frequent use, lacrosse equipment can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and odors—which is why proper maintenance is essential.

    In this guide, we’ll break down everything your child needs to play safely and how to keep their gear fresh and long-lasting.

    What Equipment Does My Child Need for Lacrosse?

    Lacrosse players require different sets of gear based on their position. Here’s what’s required:

    For Field Players (Non-Goalies):

    ✅ Helmet – Protects the head and includes a face cage.
    ✅ Shoulder Pads – Shields the chest and upper body from checks and impacts.
    ✅ Elbow Pads – Protects the elbows from hits and falls.
    ✅ Gloves – Offers hand protection while allowing for a firm grip.
    ✅ Lacrosse Stick (Crosse) – Used for passing, catching, and shooting.
    ✅ Mouthguard – Required for dental protection.
    ✅ Cleats – Provides traction on the field.
    ✅ Protective Cup – Essential for male players for added protection.

    For Goalies:

    ✅ Helmet with Throat Guard – Includes additional throat protection from shots.
    ✅ Chest Protector – Absorbs impact from high-speed shots.
    ✅ Gloves (Extra Padded) – Protects hands while allowing for control.
    ✅ Lacrosse Goalie Stick – Features a larger head for blocking shots.
    ✅ Shin Guards (Optional but recommended) – Extra leg protection.

    💡 Pro Tip: New lacrosse parents should check with their child’s team or league for any specific gear requirements, as some leagues may have additional safety regulations.

    The Hidden Problem: Why Lacrosse Gear Gets So Funky

    Lacrosse is a high-intensity sport, meaning sweat, dirt, and bacteria quickly build up inside the gear. Since most equipment isn’t washed regularly, bacteria thrive, leading to:

    🚫 Unpleasant Odors – Caused by trapped sweat and bacteria.
    🚫 Skin Irritations & Rashes – From dirty, bacteria-laden gear rubbing against the skin.
    🚫 Weakened Gear – Sweat and grime can degrade materials over time.

    If you’ve ever opened a lacrosse bag and been hit with a wave of funk, you know what we’re talking about!

    How to Properly Maintain Lacrosse Gear

    Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to keeping lacrosse equipment fresh, clean, and long-lasting:

    Daily Maintenance:

    🔹 Air it out – After every practice or game, don’t leave gear in the bag! Hang it up to dry completely.
    🔹 Use deodorizing sprays – A quick spritz with a natural, antibacterial spray helps prevent odor buildup.

    Weekly Maintenance:

    🧼 Wash removable gear – Items like jerseys, gloves, and elbow pads can often be machine-washed on a gentle cycle.
    🧼 Wipe down hard gear – Use a disinfectant wipe on helmets, sticks, and pads to remove sweat and grime.

    Deep Cleaning (Every 4-6 Weeks):

    💨 Steam Cleaning & Sanitization – Professional cleaning services like Germz Be Gone use steam and bacteria-fighting probiotics to fully sanitize gear, eliminating odors and harmful microbes.

    💡 Did you know? Studies show that uncleaned sports gear can carry MRSA and staph bacteria, which can cause serious infections. That’s why deep cleaning isn’t just about smell—it’s about safety!

    When to Replace Lacrosse Gear

    Even with proper care, some gear will wear out over time. Here’s how to know when it’s time for a replacement:

    🚨 Helmet – If the padding is compressed or it has taken a major hit, replace it immediately.
    🚨 Gloves – If the palms are torn or no longer provide a good grip, it’s time for a new pair.
    🚨 Pads – If the padding has flattened out and no longer absorbs impact, replace them.
    🚨 Stick & Head – If cracks or warping occur, it can affect performance—time for an upgrade!

    Final Thoughts: Keep Your Child Safe, Comfortable & Smelling Fresh!

    Lacrosse is an exciting and rewarding sport, but keeping gear clean is key to ensuring safety, comfort, and longevity. By following these maintenance tips, parents can help their kids stay protected and odor-free all season long!

    Want a professional deep cleaning for your child’s lacrosse gear?

    📍 Contact Germz Be Gone today to schedule a pickup!
    📞 (725) 696-2739
    🌍 www.germzbegone.com

  • How To Keep Your Hockey Gear From Stinking

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    How To Keep Your Hockey Gear From Stinking

    There is one thing that every hockey player knows for sure, but will not admit outloud to themselves nor their teammates for cause of embarrassment: your gear gets funky! Your pads get smelly enough to where they have to ride in the trunk of the car and are not allowed inside the house. Your days of embarrassment are over. Here are a few ways to keep your gear from smelling like a barnyard and also keep germs at bay that can cause infection and keep you out of competition.

    Air Out

    Germs love dark, damp places–that’s where they do the most multiplying. By zipping your gear up in a bag all you’re doing is giving germs like staph and e. coli their favorite environment. When enough bad germs are present that’s when your gear starts getting funky and you can get sick. I know it’s easier to toss your pads and skates in a bag and let them marinate in your sweat until the next time you need them, but that is not a good habit to get into to. A simple way to remember it: bad odors equal a ton of germs. After each game or practice it is critical to let your gear air out. Since we live in Las Vegas, and the air is dry, just place them outside for an hour or two (direct sun not required). The goal is to evaporate your sweat to give the germs nothing to eat and survive on.

    Spray Down

    After evaporating your sweat from your pads, you are now ready to spray your pads down with something antimicrobial. There are number of chemical sanitizing sprays out there, but I highly recommend against them for a few reasons: 1) ounce for ounce, they cost more than natural sprays, 2) they simply don’t work–they will not penetrate fabrics before they themselves evaporate, 3) they have proven to be contributing factors in the growth of superbugs like MRSA and 4) they are hazardous to your health–their own warning labels say so!

    Alternatives I strongly encourage are natural antimicrobials like vinegar or essential oils then use probiotics for healthier equipment. To make your own spray you just need a spray bottle, water and mix in one of the following:

    • vinegar – 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water – the vinegar smell goes away in a few minutes
    • essential oils – 1-2 drops per ounce of water – essential oils smell great
    • probiotics – 0.5 ounces to 32 ounces of water – probiotics can reduce ATP and stay active for several days, so they are still working even when you put your gear back on.

    Each alternative works great and will keep your gear from harboring germs a lot longer than chemical sanitizers will, plus they’ll cut down on the odors that spring up from your pads.

    Go Deep

    At least once per month, during the season, you should get your gear professionally deep cleaned. Look for a company that specializes in cleaning sports gear using natural methods. That way you won’t suffer in the long run from doing the healthy thing by getting your pads cleaned and deodorized from time to time. In Las Vegas, the only company I know of that cleans sports gear is Germz Be Gone. They use steam and probiotics to sanitize and deodorize your gear naturally. For the ultimate convenience, they are a mobile service and come to you. They even offer team discounts. Check out their prices. For $5 off for first-time customers use code: SAVE5.

    Bad Odor = A Ton Of Germs

    Whether you play hockey or any other sport where you sweat in pads the above techniques can be used to help save you embarrassment and keep you healthy and active. Please use these techniques every time you take off your pads. Remember to air out, spray down and get your gear professionally cleaned every now and then.

    We want the funk! book now