The Washing Machine Ritual: What Hockey Gear You Can and Can't Machine Wash

The gear smells. The washing machine is right there. It seems obvious. The problem is that machine washing hockey equipment is the right call for some items and a destructive mistake for others — and the consequences of getting it wrong range from ruined gear to compromised safety equipment you can't tell has been damaged. Here's the complete guide.

Safe to Machine Wash

These items tolerate machine washing on cold water, gentle cycle:

• Neck guards (fabric components; not hard-shell integrated types)
• Jocks and jills
• Base layers and moisture-wicking undergarments
• Hockey socks
• Jerseys and practice jerseys

Air dry or low heat for all of these — high heat degrades elastic, adhesives, and synthetic fibers even in washable items.

Never Machine Wash

• Skates — water destroys the boot's internal structure, adhesive bonds, and heat-moldable materials
• Helmets — machine washing compromises interior foam impact-absorption without any visible evidence of damage
• Gloves — leather palms shrink and crack; internal padding compresses and shifts; exterior materials delaminate
• Shoulder pads and hard-shell protective gear — agitation separates adhesive bonds; heat and immersion warp plastic shells

The Right Approach for Non-Washable Gear

Antimicrobial spray, thorough air-drying after every skate, and periodic professional cleaning are the correct approaches for everything on the do-not-wash list. The smell that makes machine washing tempting is bacterial — and bacteria respond to being denied moisture and treated with antimicrobial agents. The machine addresses the symptom while destroying the gear. Work with the right tools for each job.