Q. Why would I want to wash my equipment?
A. Your equipment is teeming with bacteria, molds and fungus that can cause skin rashes and serious infections! It is the active, growing bacteria that is causing the unbelievable stench and rotting your equipment at the same time. You don’t wear your gym clothes for 5 years without washing them – why treat your equipment any differently? Your equipment didn’t smell when it was new, and it does not have to smell now.
Q. Why has washing sports equipment become such a
big deal?
A. Modern protective sports equipment, with its space age, open cell, foam padding has produced the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Of an even greater concern, the overuse of antibiotics has created a resistance to infection treatments and has allowed new strains of bacteria to evolve. They are deadly, difficult to treat and within hours can leave a victim with permanent skin and bone damage. Some infections have even resulted in player deaths.
Q. Who else besides NO SWEAT thinks washing
equipment is a big deal?
A. The
Center for Disease Control (CDC), USA Hockey, NFL, NCAA for starters! In 2003
they all issued warnings to athletes and sports teams to begin the routine
cleaning of sports equipment due to a dramatic increase in serious infections.
Hockey
Q. If this is such a serious health risk, why
haven’t I heard about it before now?
A. Do you remember when hockey players didn’t wear helmets? Today, a player is not allowed on the ice without one. Why? Because research proved that the risk of head injuries could be reduced with the use of helmets and they were made mandatory. Seat belt use is another example of how research eventually impacts society. It was discovered 5 years ago, through independent lab tests, that dangerous bacteria were present in equipment. Change requires research and research takes time.
Q. Won’t
washing my hockey equipment in water ruin it?
A. Think about it – ice hockey is harsh and demanding on equipment. It takes a pounding and gloves, skates & padding are wet for prolonged periods of time. Our gentle process uses low PH detergents to clean deep into cloth and foam, then rinse away the bacteria, grime and sweat. Your equipment is held in place – no tumbling, twisting or banging around in our machine! Your equipment comes back fresh, disinfected and ready to wear.
Q. How long does it take?
A. The
machine takes approximately 3 hours to completion. We hang the equipment for 12
hrs. to make sure it is dry. Although the machine has a dry cycle, it doesn’t
take the gear to complete dryness as it would get too hot and risk damage to
the foam and plastic. We can turn it around in 24 hours if needed. (Drop Zones
require more time)
Q. Will it really get the smell out?
A. Yes it
will. However, if the equipment is older and never been cleaned, don’t expect a
miracle the first time it is cleaned. There may be a slight odour left. If you
implement a regular cleaning routine that will correct itself, usually by the
second wash.
Q. Do you clean goalie gear?
A. Yes,
we can clean everything including the leg pads.
Q. How often should I clean my gear?
A.
Cleaning frequency is based on the age of the player, how much they sweat and
how often they play. Younger players (under 12) can probably do with once per
season if the gear is hung to dry after each use. Older players may need it
done as frequently as once per month. Let your nose be your guide!
Q. Will washing my gear change my luck?
A. Yes, definitely! You'll start winning
more games and with the opposite sex!