How to Wash Your Hockey Gear: The Right Way

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https://youtu.be/sV1aVzx0ceU

Washing your gear might not be the first thing you think about when gearing up for the season, but it is absolutely essential. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, clean equipment is the foundation for healthy, long-lasting performance.

Even though the 43° Hockey Bag is scientifically proven to reduce bacteria by 96% in shin guards and 89% in gloves after a single use, it’s not magic. The bag uses heated airflow to kill odor causing bacteria and dry your gear, but it cannot remove the buildup of old dirt, dead skin, dried sweat, blood, or other grime that gets embedded in your pads over time.

Think of it like washing your hands. You need soap and water to remove the gunk. After that, you use hand sanitizer to kill the bacteria and maintain cleanliness. That’s how your 43° bag works. But the sanitizer can only do so much if your hands are covered in dirt. That’s why you need to give your gear a deep clean before using the bag — and again every season or two depending on how often you play.

Why Washing Gear Matters

Dirty hockey gear isn’t just smelly — it’s dangerous. Bacteria thrive in moist, enclosed gear bags, and that bacteria can lead to serious skin infections and illnesses. Some of the most common conditions that have been linked to unwashed gear include:

• MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
• Folliculitis (infected hair follicles)
• Ringworm and other fungal infections
• Impetigo
• Cellulitis
• Staph infections

Former NHL player Eric Lacroix told a story on the DNVR podcast about Adam Deadmarsh getting a major infection that started from his hockey gear. That’s not just a pro-level issue — kids and rec players can just as easily develop these problems.  Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kLjtPI742U&t=1257s

• An estimated 70 NHL players suffered from unexplained rashes, possibly due to dirty equipment that effected them to the level where they had to miss games or end their careers early.

Multiple studies have shown that bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans are commonly found in unwashed hockey equipment.

This is why the 43° Hockey Bag was created — to solve the age-old problem of stinky, bacteria-filled gear with modern, effective, and science-backed technology.

Reinforcing the Research

The research conducted by David A. Narvaiz, PhD (@the_skating_scientist), confirms that the 43° Hockey Bag significantly reduces bacterial load in multiple pieces of equipment, even after just a single use. The results showed consistent and repeatable reductions in odor-causing bacteria across several use cases, thanks to the consistent 43° Celsius temperature applied through evenly distributed heated airflow.

Traditional methods like air drying or sprays fall far short — especially since most bacteria thrive in moist environments and are only killed with sustained heat above 40° Celsius. With the 43° Hockey Bag, you’re getting a scientifically tested solution that not only kills harmful bacteria but also ensures your gear is warm, dry, and ready to go.

Whether you’re lacing up for the first time or you’re a seasoned player, washing your gear and using your 43° bag together is the best way to stay healthy, smell fresh, and play your best.

How to Wash Your Gear

Here is the soap and water method we recommend, straight from the 43° Pro Tips & Instructions guide:

1. Fill bath tub, large container, or sink with Hot Water.

2. Add laundry detergent, small amount of dish soap, and optional Oxiclean, bleach, or white vinegar for deeper clean (Caution: Bleach may cause colors to fade.)

3. Place all of your dirty equipment in the tub (Excluding Skates and Helmet)

4. Stir with an old hockey stick periodically. Use something to weigh the gear down under the water if it floats. Leave for several hours.

5. Drain the disgusting water and repeat the process if you think it is necessary.

6. Hang Equipment OUTSIDE to dry. For best results place it in direct sunlight.

7. Once gear is dried (similar to how much you sweat after playing) place the equipment in your 43° Heated Hockey Bag and begin a Sanitize & Dry cycle.

We recommend this deep cleaning at least once per season, or once every two seasons if you only skate occasionally.