How to Get the Smell Out of Sports Gear
Sports gear like hockey pads, shin guards, and boxing gloves reeks of stale sweat because the sweat-soaked padding sits in a bag and bacteria multiply, and a lot of gear cannot just go in the wash. Air it out, clean it right for the material, and deodorize, and the smell comes down.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why gear stinks
Gear absorbs a lot of sweat into its foam and padding, and sealed in a bag after practice it becomes a bacterial breeding ground. The foam holds the smell and cannot always be machine washed.
The smell gets strong and transfers to everything in the bag. Airing, cleaning, and deodorizing is what brings it down.
How to clean it, step by step
- Air it out after every use. Take gear out of the bag and let it dry fully, rather than leaving it damp in a closed bag. This is half the problem.
- Wash what is washable. Some gear, like jerseys, certain pads, and washable gloves, can be machine washed per the maker's guidance, cold and gentle, then air dried. Wash removable liners.
- Wipe and disinfect the rest. For foam gear that cannot be washed, wipe with a vinegar-water solution or a gear-safe disinfectant spray, then let it dry fully.
- Deodorize. Sprinkle baking soda on and inside gear, or use gear deodorizer sprays, and let sunlight help kill odor bacteria and dry it.
- Freeze small items. For gloves or guards, a night in the freezer in a bag knocks back the odor bacteria.
Airing gear out after every use is the key habit. Damp padding sealed in a bag is what breeds the smell, so drying it each time breaks the cycle.
Keep it from coming back
Air gear out and dry it fully after every use, and wash or wipe it regularly.
Use a ventilated bag, deodorize periodically, and replace worn padding that will not come clean.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With the sweaty gear handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your home, Slice of Life fits well. It is green and garden-fresh, with tomato leaf, basil, and lemon peel, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the smell out of sports gear?
Air it out after every use, wash what is washable, wipe foam gear with a vinegar or disinfectant solution, and deodorize with baking soda. Dry everything fully.
Can I put pads and gloves in the washing machine?
Some can, per the maker's guidance, on a cold, gentle cycle, then air dry. Others need wiping and disinfecting instead, so check first.
Does freezing gear kill the smell?
It helps by knocking back odor bacteria, but airing, cleaning, and drying matter more for lasting results.
How do I keep gear from smelling?
Never leave it damp in a closed bag. Air it out after every use, use a ventilated bag, and deodorize regularly.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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