Quick answer: Dry your pads completely after every session, spray them with a gear deodorizer, and give them a full wash every 2 to 4 weeks in cold water on a gentle cycle. The smell comes from bacteria living in foam and fabric, so drying and deep cleaning matter more than covering the odor.
HEX started here. Founder Drew Westervelt was a professional lacrosse player who couldn't get his pads and gear truly clean without ruining them. Hockey and lacrosse gear is the hardest test for any laundry routine: thick foam, layers of synthetic fabric, plastic shells, and hours of sweat soaked into all of it.
Why hockey and lacrosse gear smells so bad
- Foam holds moisture. Padding soaks up sweat and dries slowly, especially in a closed bag.
- Bacteria grow in the dark and damp. A bag in a car trunk is close to ideal conditions for them.
- Synthetic fabric binds oil. The liners touching your skin trap body oil that feeds bacteria.
- Gear rarely gets washed. Many players only air it out, so buildup grows every week of the season.
It's more than unpleasant. Bacteria on gear can irritate skin, and the CDC notes that sharing equipment and towels is one way skin infections such as MRSA spread among athletes.
The routine: after every session
- Open the bag immediately. Take every item out as soon as you get home.
- Hang everything to dry. Use a gear rack, a fan, or a dehumidified room. Open all straps so air reaches the foam.
- Spray the inside of each pad. A deodorizing spray made for gear removes odor between washes. HEX Deodorizing Spray works on pads, helmets, gloves, and skates without a full wash.
- Wash base layers every time. Compression shirts, shorts, and socks go in the laundry after each use.
The routine: deep clean every 2 to 4 weeks
Always check each item's care label first. Most soft pads can go in a washing machine; hard shells and electronics cannot.
- Close all Velcro and straps so they don't snag other gear.
- Pretreat the worst spots such as glove palms and chest pad liners with HEX Performance Stain Remover. Wait 15 minutes.
- Load a front loader if you can. Agitators in top loaders can tear pads. Don't overfill; water needs to move through the foam.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle with a detergent made for synthetics. HEX Performance Laundry Detergent penetrates thick, tight weaves to remove the residue that feeds bacteria.
- Add an extra rinse so no detergent stays trapped in the foam.
- Air dry completely. Never use a dryer. Heat can warp plastic and break down foam. Use a fan; drying can take 24 hours.
FAQ
Can I put hockey gear in the dishwasher? No. Dishwasher heat can warp plastic and damage foam and adhesives.
Does vinegar or baking soda work? They can reduce odor a little, but they don't reliably remove the oily buildup bacteria feed on.
Should I wash new gear before using it? Yes. New pads pick up odor fast. Washing them with HEX Performance Laundry Detergent before the first use lets the HEX molecule form a shield on the fabric that helps keep odors from setting in, so your gear is protected from day one.
How long does gear take to dry? With a fan, most pads dry in 12 to 24 hours. Gloves often take longest.
