Germs thrive in the warm, sweaty environment that an excellent, challenging game provides them. Every time you work out in your protective equipment, legions of bacteria, fungi, mold, yeast, and other harmful bugs could be coming along for the ride and providing that offensive odor. When you sweat, your skin cannot guard itself against microorganisms. If you have any chaffing, abrasions, cuts, or scratches, your defenses against infection are lowered even more.
The offensive odors you smell on sports gear are mainly caused by Bromidrosis. This is bacteria on your gear; it feeds on old sweat, dead skin, and body secretions. This can lead to other health diseases and is a breeding ground for bacteria, molds, and fungus. There can be over a million living organisms in the average set of hockey gear.
Go on the Offense
Most of us can’t immediately do our laundry after a sports practice or workout. While some sports gear sprays or odour pouches are used, they may hold the odours at bay for a little while. Hanging to dry asap is one of the best ways to keep the foul odours from returning too soon, but eventually they should get cleaned for hygienic purposes at the very least. Don’t let germs and odors fester in that gym bag—open it and spray it down or better yet hang the items to dry as soon as possible.
De-Funk Your Gear
If you have gloves, pads, or a helmet to deal with, spray these items down with your sports gear spray immediately after use. If you have a drying rack, hang your gear on it and let it dry. If not, hang them on a tree outside so they dry while also airing out (a little hard to do in the winter season). Odor-killing sprays or absorbers only work for so long, before you realize that the gear needs to be cleaned.
When you can’t wash sports gear right away, there can be major repercussions. When you leave gear to fester, the situation only gets worse. Often times, the smell coming from gym clothes, athletic uniforms, sports gear, or gym bags is caused by Bromidrosis. This fierce stench occurs when bacteria on your gear feeds on old sweat, dead skin, and body secretions. Worse yet, the bacteria can also cause nasty fungal infections like jock itch, ringworm, yeast infections, and Athlete’s foot—and the first sign of these conditions is the smell.
5 Reason To Clean Your Sports Equipment
Bacterial Infections: Dirty sports gear provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Bacterial infections can result from contact with contaminated gear, leading to skin irritations, infections, and more serious conditions if left untreated.
Fungal Infections: Moisture and warmth in sweaty sports gear create a perfect breeding ground for fungi. Conditions like jock itch, ringworm, and athlete’s foot can develop, causing discomfort, itching, and potential long-term skin issues.
Mold Growth: Accumulated sweat and moisture in neglected sports gear can foster mold growth. Mold exposure can trigger respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and exacerbate existing respiratory conditions, posing health risks to athletes.
Yeast Infections: Yeast, naturally present on the skin, can multiply in the damp environment of dirty sports gear. This can lead to yeast infections, causing itching, redness, and discomfort, particularly in areas with folds or friction.
Skin Irritations and Allergies: The combination of sweat, dead skin cells, and bacteria on dirty sports gear can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions. Individuals with sensitive skin may experience redness, rashes, or hives, affecting both comfort and performance.
6 DIY Sports Equipment Cleaning Tips
1. Pre-Treat Laundry: Spray clothes with a sports gear spray designed for pretreating gear five minutes before washing, like you would with a pre-wash stain treatment. This will help eliminate germs and sports odour to keep you and your loved ones extra protected and smelling sweet.
2. Turn Clothes Inside Out: Sweat, oil secretions, and germs thrive on the inside of sweaty clothes. Turn all clothes and uniforms inside out before washing them.
3. Use a product that is safe and effective: Wile regular laundry detergent may clean the garments, they do not kill the bacteria, mildew, and mould. Using a product to disinfect will help get rid of the causes of the odours, but some products (like bleach) can harm the materials or leave a residue that can cause skin irritations. So watch what you use, make sure if it safe for the fabrics and plastics.
4. Avoid Fabric Softener: It may seem counterintuitive, but avoid fabric softener when it comes to smelly sports gear. Fabric softeners coat the fibers of clothing material and actually trap in odors.
5. Dry on Low: When dryer heat is too high, it can cause odors to linger. The heat bakes these odors into the fabric, which is why you may have washed clothes in the past that still stunk afterward. Use the setting of no heat or low heat. Hanging to dry in a warm room (less than 40 degree Celsius) with good air movement is one of the best methods of drying and getting rid of the odours.
6. Make Sure It Is Dry: Even the slightest bit of moisture can lead to mould or mildew developing and leaving that musty smell. Don’t let all that hard work and effort go to waste.
*While machines that use ozone and ultra-violet lights say they get rid of the smell and clean your gear, it is partially true. The ozone and ultra-violet lights do kill bacteria which gets rid of most of the smell, but they do not clean. So you are left with the dead skin, oils, etc. left on the surfaces.
- Expertise and Specialization: Choose a Professional Sports Equipment Cleaning Service that specializes in the thorough cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection of sports equipment. Look for a company like Emergency Decon Solutions Ltd. that has expertise specifically tailored to athletic gear, ensuring a deep and effective cleaning process.
Proven Track Record: Research the company’s reputation and track record. Look for customer reviews, testimonials, or case studies that highlight successful experiences with the sports gear cleaning service. Emergency Decon Solutions Ltd., for instance, has a proven track record in providing top-notch cleaning services.
Comprehensive Cleaning Process: Opt for a service that offers a comprehensive cleaning process. Emergency Decon Solutions Ltd. not only eliminates odors but also addresses the root cause by eradicating bacteria, mold, and fungus. Ensure that the cleaning process includes both visible and invisible contaminants for a truly thorough result.
Health and Safety Focus: Prioritize a sports gear cleaning service that emphasizes health and safety. Our process combined with the most effective product (Decon 7), while making sure if is safe and environmentally-friendly. Emergency Decon Solutions Ltd. draws on it’s services to emergency responders (such as firefighter bunker gear cleaning), highlighting their commitment to creating a safer and healthier environment. Ensure the cleaning methods are not only effective but also environmentally friendly and safe for the users.
Additional Services and Solutions: Consider a company that offers additional services or solutions related to sports equipment care. Emergency Decon Solutions Ltd. not only provides sports equipment cleaning but extends its expertise to other areas, demonstrating a holistic approach to hygiene and safety. Look for added value such as gear cleaning and maintenance tips or products that enhance equipment longevity, a healthier, and safer work area.