Taking Care of your gear
Your equipment will wear much better if allowed to thoroughly dry between uses. Wet materials are more subject to abrasive type wear. Equipment should be air dried at room temperature. DO NOT use heat to dry equipment as this can cause premature, unseen damage to the surface materials and internal padding which will accelerate wear.
Washing
Chest & Arm Protectors and Pants should be hand washed only in cold water with a mild detergent. Lightly scrub the item, using a sponge, and then rinse thoroughly. Item should be allowed to air dry. DO NOT submerge any item in water because item will most likely not be able to dry properly. Moist areas, that do not dry properly can form bacteria and mildew. Shrinkage is more likely to occur on soaked items as well. A washing machine is not recommended as water pressure can cause premature separation of coatings on external materials. Never use fabric softener on your equipment for the same reason. You can treat your chest & arm and pants with a spray type of waterproofing, such as Scotchguard. This will also help keep unit cleaner longer. Any kind of treatment that is being applied should be tested on a small area for compatibility before use. Some commercial equipment, that is designed for the cleaning of sports equipment, is available. For further information, check out Esporta Wash Systems Inc.
Goal Pads
Goal pads can also be cleaned with a damp warm rag. They should be allowed to dry thoroughly between uses. The bottom areas of a pad are subject to a great deal of abrasion. Wet materials are softer and will wear much faster. You should always inspect the toe attaching hardware on your pads. It is a good ideas to remove the attaching screws periodically and put a small amount of oil on them to prevent rusting. It is always a good idea to keep spare toe assemblies and hardware on hand in case of emergencies. Pads will wear much longer if you treat the exterior with a waterproofing agent, such as Scotchguard. This will help repel water off the pad and speed up the drying process.
Catch Gloves & Blockers
Catch gloves and blockers should only be cleaned with a damp warm rag, wiping both the interior and exterior. Gloves need to be air dried. You can also treat the gloves with a spray, such as Lysol, to help eliminate smell from bacterial growth. You may also treat your gloves with a waterproofing spray.
Goal Masks
The goaltender’s mask must be inspected frequently for any visible damage. If the shell of the mask is chipped, cracked or if any of the internal padding is ripped or unglued, the mask should not be used as the protection may be reduced. If the wire cage has any broken welds, bent wires or other defects, it should be replaced before further use. The mask should not be altered in any way. Under no circumstances should the mask be painted other than by a factory-authorized painter. Do not drill holes, sand, paint, cut heat, or use solvents or any type of tape or stickers on the mask. Do not install a replacement cage or other components that are not intended to fit the specific model mask. Any alteration of the mask voids the warranty, along with any and all certification, and could potentially cause or contribute to injury to the user.
The exterior shell should be cleaned with a damp non-abrasive cloth and mild dishwashing soap, if needed. The interior foam components can also be wiped down with a damp cloth. The sweatband can be machine laundered and dried. Replacement sweatbands are available. Never under any circumstances, use any chemicals or solvents to clean the mask.