How To Clean Smelly Football Pads

Besides playing an awesome game, there are few things that should be more important to a football player than having clean football pads and disinfected football gear. Why is it important to have clean football pads? You've probably heard or read about recent outbreaks of superbugs like Staph and MRSA happening in high school and college level football teams. What you don't hear about, however, is how disinfecting football pads and football gear and equipment could have prevented these diseases. When you fail to clean football pads and football gear in between each use, you risk becoming infected. As clean gear experts, we wanted to share our specific tips for cleaning football gear.

How to Disinfect & Clean Football Pads

Step One: Clean the player.

Starting with the basics, you want to make sure that the player inside the football pads, helmets and uniforms is clean to start. Cleanliness is the mortal enemy of bacteria, viruses and germs. Maintaining regular and proper hygiene , catapults you to a solid healthy start out of the gate. This is easily accomplished with showering every day (twice, if needed) with soap, taking care to wash your body everywhere, thoroughly.

Step Two: Remove any loose and visible dirt.

As simple as it sounds, this is an essential step in getting properly clean football pads. Shake or brush off any loose or visible dirt.

Step Three: Disinfect and deodorize.

Never, NEVER stuff your damp or dirty pads into an enclosed space like your gym bag or locker. This will only cause bacteria to increase and greatly contributes to "football pad funk" (a very technical term). Gently remove the padding portion covering the plastic "shell" of the pads and spray all the plastic areas on the football pads (there are many!) with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray, like Clear Gear Spray, which is safe to use on sports gear and safe on skin. Set gear out to dry thoroughly.

Next, give the padding some disinfectant love by spraying a thorough application. Using a sports gear sanitizing spray to clean and disinfect football pads after each use will help get rid of the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause aggravating and dangerous infections like MRSA, staph, impetigo, and the flu. Sports gear spray also helps to deodorize football pads so they stay smelling fresh throughout the season.

If your pads have been neglected (that is, rarely or never cleaned), remove the padding and allow it to soak in a larger dousing application of a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray. Always make sure pads have time to thoroughly dry in between disinfecting treatments and wearing.

Step Four: Repeat after each use.

This is the most important step! Disinfecting, deodorizing, and sanitizing your football pads once a week or "every once in awhile," does not prevent against infection and odor. Even if you've been lucky so far, don't take any chances. Be certain that your football gear is clean every time you get dressed. Use a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear and equipment spray, like Clear Gear, on your football gear after every use.

How to Disinfect & Clean a Football Helmet

Step One: Remove the helmet's inner lining.

Most football helmets are now equipped with removable antimicrobial moisture wick lining.

Simply detach the Velcro from the pads at the top, bottom and sides of the shell. Be sure to slide or remove the pads gently so you don't damage them while doing so.

Step Two: Remove all visible and loose dirt.

Remove all loose dirt from the helmet and pads.

Step Three: Disinfect and deodorize.

For the lining and pads, spray with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray. Make sure to use a spray that is safe for sports gear. Clear Gear Spray is water based and non-corrosive, so you can soak the pads without fear of breaking down the fibers of the material with harsh chemicals. Allow the pads and lining to dry thoroughly.

While the pads are removed from the helmet, spray the inside of the helmet thoroughly and allow it to air dry.

Step Four: Repeat after each use.

Once again, this step is key! The best medicine is prevention. Cleaning football pads and helmets with a disinfectant and deodorizing sports gear spray after each use may help keep you healthy, and save you time and money down the line.

Remembering to clean your football pads after each use can be challenging, but it's critical. You can help yourself get into a better cleaning routine by setting up a football gear cleaning station in a designated area in your house. Keep a bottle of disinfectant and deodorizing spray front and center. Or, carry with you a travel size sports equipment sanitizer and disinfectant spray, like Clear Gear Spray's 8oz. spray bottle, that fits neatly in a gym or sports equipment bag.

How to clean your football gear and football pads

Staying in the Game

Football pads can quickly contract nasty germs and bacteria from sweat, and improper storage and cleaning. Without thorough cleaning and disinfecting, you can contract an annoying or dangerous illness like MRSA, staph, impetigo, the flu, or herpes. Clear Gear Spray is a disinfectant and deodorizing athletic gear and personal protective equipment spray that kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and gets rid of smelly odors. Deodorize and disinfect your equipment in between each use with a quick spray of Clear Gear Spray to prevent odors and bacteria growth so you can stay healthy and in the game.