How to Clean Sports Equipment & Gear

The best way to clean sports equipment is to follow a consistent routine that covers both cleaning and maintenance across all types of gear. Whether you're looking for how to clean football pads, synthetic baseball gloves or hockey gear, the process is similar: remove dirt, sanitize high-touch surfaces and fully dry before storing. For quick, everyday cleaning of hard, nonporous surfaces, products like Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes can remove sweat residue and reducing bacteria on items like helmets and pads. Regular sports equipment cleaning helps extend the life of gear and reduce odor.

A simple, effective routine includes:

• Wiping helmets, pads and hard gear with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
• Washing uniforms, socks and soft gear on a gentle cycle, adding Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover for odor-heavy items
• Letting everything dry fully to prevent bacteria buildup

Every practice or game exposes equipment to moisture, bacteria and friction. Over time, that combination leads to lingering odors, worn materials and even skin irritation.

Regular sports equipment cleaning helps reduce bacteria buildup, prevents persistent smells and keeps protective gear functioning the way it should. It also makes equipment more comfortable to wear, especially for items that sit close to the skin like pads, gloves and helmets.

Football equipment collects some of the most sweat and bacteria due to heavy protective padding and close contact.

To clean football pads and shoulder pads:

1. Wipe down exterior surfaces after each use
2. Use Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes to reduce odor-causing bacteria
3. Allow pads to fully air dry before storage

To clean a football helmet:

1. Wipe the outer shell with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes or Clorox™ Disinfecting All Purpose Cleaner Spray
2. Clean the interior padding with a damp cloth
3. Avoid soaking or submerging the helmet

To wash football pants:

1. Turn pants inside out
2. Remove pads if possible before washing
3. Wash in cold water with mild detergent and Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to eliminate any lingering odor.

Hockey gear is known for strong odors due to heavy padding and moisture retention, making routine cleaning essential.

1. Air out all gear immediately after use
2. Wipe hard surfaces like helmets and shin guards with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
3. Wash washable items on a gentle cycle when allowed

To clean synthetic hockey gloves and helmet:

1. Wipe exterior surfaces with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
2. Lightly sanitize inside liners if removable
3. Always dry completely to prevent odor buildup

Baseball gear includes a mix of fabric and rubber materials, each requiring different care.

To clean baseball cleats:

1. Remove excess dirt with a brush
2. Rinse lightly if needed
3. Air dry away from direct heat

To clean colored baseball pants and jerseys:

1. Pre-treat with Clorox 2™ for Colors Laundry & Fabric Stain Remover stains before washing
2. Wash in cold water

To clean white baseball pants and jerseys:

1. Skip the pre-treatment and add a small amount of Clorox™ Disinfecting Bleach to help remove stains and disinfect
2. Wash in cold water

Soccer gear gets exposed to grass, mud and sweat, especially cleats and shin guards.

To clean soccer cleats:

1. Knock off dried dirt before washing
2. For minor scuffs, use Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
3. Remove insoles for separate cleaning if possible

To clean shin guards:

1. Wipe after every use with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
2. Wash removable sleeves in cold water
3. Air dry thoroughly to prevent odor

To clean soccer goalie gloves:

1. Rinse with cool water after use
2. Use gentle soap for deep cleaning
3. Let them air dry naturally to preserve grip

Lacrosse gear is heavily padded and often exposed to sweat and turf, making odor control especially important.

To wash lacrosse gear:

1. Air out equipment immediately after use
2. Machine wash removable items when allowed
3. Spot clean non-washable padding

To clean synthetic lacrosse gloves, helmet and pads:

1. Wipe exterior surfaces with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes
2. Clean interior padding gently with a damp cloth
3. Ensure full drying before storage

One of the most common concerns with sports equipment is odor caused by bacteria buildup. To reduce odor and keep gear fresh, combine proper drying, regular cleaning and targeted products designed to tackle odor at the source. Hard surfaces like helmets and exterior parts of pads can be wiped down with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes to help remove odor-causing bacteria, while soft items like uniforms and washable gear benefit from adding Clorox FreshGuard™ Laundry Odor Remover to your laundry routine.

• Always dry equipment immediately after use
• Do not leave gear in closed bags for long periods
• Clean high-contact surfaces like helmets and pads frequently
• Use disinfecting methods for shared or protective equipment