Fresh as a Daisy: Washing Your Derby Gear 101
- Chicago Style
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By: Bomb Pop #7
All derby players know that all-too-common funk that begins to seep out from their gear bag after a couple of hard practices. To ensure we are good teammates, we must address this stank head-on. The smell may just be the first warning sign - caring for our gear properly can extend its life, prevent odor buildup, and reduce the risk of skin irritations or infections.
What causes gear to get so nasty?
Knee pads, wrist guards, elbow pads, and helmet cushioning are a magnet for dirt, sweat, and bacteria. In the context of derby, this sweat is not always yours. Tossing them into a dark, damp skate bag or into the back of your trunk provides an ample breeding ground for bacteria. Mold can also build up in gear over time, making them a hazard for you and everyone else on the rink. Mouthguards also harbor bacteria. After every game or practice, your mouthguard also collects saliva, sweat, and little food particles. A dirty mouthguard can put your teeth at risk rather than protect them.
Ew… what should I do about it?
Wash your gear, stinky!! What does wash your gear actually mean? Below are the steps to become the most angelic-smelling athlete on the rink:
After each Use:
Air it out.
After each practice, allow your gear to breathe! Lay out your gear so all pieces can dry thoroughly between uses.
Spray it down.
Some of us opt to use a spray after every practice to help keep our gear clean between full washes. Many players swear by their own homemade mixes of witch hazel, vinegar, and various essential oils. Personally, I have used this Sportzyme, which is a Sport Odor Eliminator spray.
Clean your mouthguard.
After each practice, you should be sanitizing your mouthguard. Denture cleaner and retainer cleaner are two major winners.
Launder.
Yes, your clothes! Also, please launder any arm bands, bandanas, and headbands between each practice. These items collect sweat quickly and can easily be overlooked when thrown at the bottom of a gear bag.
After 1-2 weeks:
Thoroughly wash.
How often you thoroughly wash your gear depends on the frequency and intensity of usage of your gear If you are a Chicago-Style player who attends three practices a week, plays in games, and also uses your pads to skate in your free time, you will need to wash your pads more often than someone who is coming back from injury reserve and is practicing at a no-contact pace. Personally, I try not to go over two weeks without thoroughly washing my gear.
How do I thoroughly wash my gear?
Everyone has a different style of washing gear. Every time I look up “how to wash derby gear” online or ask one of my teammates, I seem to receive slightly different answers. There seem to be two main methods of washing your gear, which I will outline below.
The Washing Machine method
This method is good for a “set it and forget it” mentality. It also ensures that your pads get thoroughly cleaned. This method may ruin the Velcro and integrity of your pads faster than the Bathtub method mentioned below. It is a good idea to check your gear’s washing instructions before throwing it into the washing machine.
Put your pads into a separate mesh bag or pillowcase. Tighten the velcro as much as possible before putting your gear into the mesh bag.
Throw the bag into the washing machine. Use the gentlest setting and the hottest water that you can. If your pads smell really bad, add an extra cup of white wine vinegar to the washing machine.
Hang your gear out to dry. We do not want to
put our protective gear in the dryer, as this can
ruin it. Hang your gear in a well-lit area with lots
of air flow to fully dry.
The Bathtub method
This is often the preferred method for many players, as it upholds the lifespan of gear better than washing with a washing machine. I also personally enjoy seeing all of the
grime excreted from my gear into the water - you can
literally see how hard you worked!
Fill up a basin with hot water and cleaning agents. Many people use a bathtub for this method, but you could realistically use any large container that can hold hot water. I use a utility sink. There is not one perfect cleaning agent to disinfect your gear with. Most people use a combination of white wine vinegar, baking soda, and soap. But I've also seen people include essential oils, bleach, borax, and OxiClean into their forbidden gear soup. I normally use white wine vinegar and the leftover soap in my laundry detergent cup to wash my gear.
Throw your pads into the soapy mixture. Ensure that the Velcro is attached to itself tightly; otherwise, the Velcro will snag and wear down over time. Agitate the water to extract all unwanted bacteria, viruses, and mold.
Let it soak. I like to soak my gear for at least 30 minutes in the hot, soapy liquid. Let the pads sit in the mixture long enough to be thoroughly cleaned, agitating occasionally.
Rinse all of the cleaning agents out of your pads so that any remaining soap or irritants won't be left behind to irritate your skin.
Squeeze out excess water. This will allow your pads to dry out more quickly, limiting the time for them to sit wet.
Hang them out to dry. Put pads in a well-lit, highly ventilated area for them to try. I like to place mine over a patio chair outside, but a bathtub, balcony, or bedroom floor will do!
That sounds like a lot of work!
It may look like a lot of work, but most of these recommendations are tiny habits that add up to making you a more hygienic teammate. By cleaning your gear regularly, you could also prevent common skin infections, fungal infections, and irritations of other cuts under your pads. Here at Chicago-Style, we pride ourselves on smelling good enough to eat - so now go and wash your gear!!
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