Though it might be tempting to toss your sports bag aside after coming home from a practice or game, you could be causing your gear some serious damage. If you’re an athlete, then you’re well aware of the time-investment that’s involved when it comes to committing to a sports team. This makes it understandable that you may not always spend as much time taking care of your gear as you probably should.
Not only is it a large time investment, but it’s also a money investment. Sports equipment doesn’t come cheap, which is why we encourage you to take care of it as best as you can!
We’ve put together a list of tips you can follow to ensure that your sports gear stays in good condition:
Remove The Odor
You’ve probably heard your parents or housemates complain about the stench coming from your bag after you come home from breaking a sweat on the field. It’s natural to feel uncomfortable when someone brings up the smell. Unfortunately, the more you avoid your bag, the worse it will get. Here’s what we recommend:
- Do a weekly clean: At the end of each week, toss your jersey into the laundry machine and leave your bag outside or in your basement to air out. Your equipment deserves to be cleaned after spending long hours at play.
- Get into consistent habits: After each game, don’t close your bag airtight. Keeping your dirty clothes and equipment in a closed bag will trap all the odor inside, making it harder to get out down the road. The worse your equipment smells, the more inclined you’ll be to toss it out and buy more.
Maintain Your Equipment
Whether you play hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis or any other sport, it’s crucial to maintain the piece of equipment you rely on the most. For example, if you’re a hockey player, regularly get your skates sharpened and cleaned. The mindset of, “they’re just going to get dirty again,” will quickly deteriorate the quality of your equipment.
If you’re a soccer or basketball player, you might be thinking that you don’t necessarily rely on “equipment.” However, you probably think of your shoes as your holy grail. Rather than just tossing them in and out of bags without wiping them down, start to do a gentle clean after each use. While it may seem excessive, it will help prevent any signs of wear.
Switch Chemical Cleaning Products For Natural Ones
While commercial chemical products are always a “go-to” when it comes doing laundry, try out some natural options. Instead of tossing your gear into anything you can find, be cautious of what products you’re using on it. Check with the manufacturer of your gear to see what cleaning supplies they recommend for the best care.
A great alternative to regular cleaning supplies suggested by mass corporations is eco-friendly products. Chemicals eventually tear away at the quality of your items. Rather than tossing your jersey into a mixture of laundry detergents, switch to white vinegar. Using natural products will prevent any chemical coatings on your sportswear.
Let Your Equipment Breathe
After being worn over and over, it’s only natural that your equipment will need time and space to breathe. Everything from hockey helmets to tennis racquets require regular maintenance.
Regularly wiping down your gear and letting it air out will help clear out any excess germs or sweat. Setting aside time to clean will help keep your equipment looking as new as the day you bought it.
We’ll Take Care Of Your Gear
Dreading opening up your equipment bag? Don’t sweat it! At Love Your Gear, we have over 30 years of experience in thoroughly sanitizing and cleaning gear so that you don’t have to. Our unparalleled cleaning process completely eliminates potential bacteria, viruses, mold spores, fungus, and more.
We are dedicated to ensuring that all of your sports gear is odor-free with a money-back guarantee.
To learn more about our sports cleaning services and prices, feel free to contact us today to get a free quote.