Anyone who plays lacrosse knows the smell. That gear bag stench hits different than any other sport. Between the sweat-soaked pads, gloves that never fully dry, and helmets that trap moisture, your equipment turns into a bacteria factory fast.
Here's the thing: dirty gear isn't just gross. It breaks down faster, stops performing right, and can actually cause skin irritation or infections. Plus, nobody wants to be the player who clears out the locker room when they open their bag.
This guide shows you exactly how to clean lacrosse gear the right way. We're covering everything from shoulder pads and gloves to helmets, sticks, and uniforms. You'll learn proper washing techniques, deodorizing methods, and drying practices that actually work.
Look, nobody cleans their gear because they love doing laundry. But ignoring it creates real problems beyond just the smell.
Sweat soaks into your pads, gloves, and helmet padding after every practice. That moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to multiply. You're basically wearing a petri dish. This leads to skin infections, rashes, and that signature lacrosse bag smell that won't go away no matter how much Febreze you spray.
Staph infections aren't rare in contact sports. Dirty gear increases that risk significantly.
Clean gear lasts longer. Sweat and bacteria break down foam padding, degrade stitching, and stiffen leather or synthetic materials. Your gloves lose flexibility. Pads stop absorbing impact properly. Straps and velcro wear out faster when caked with dirt and salt.
You paid good money for that equipment. Cleaning it regularly means you're not replacing it every season.
Stiff, crusty padding doesn't protect like it should. The materials lose their shock-absorption properties when they're saturated with dried sweat and grime. Moldy helmet padding can cause respiratory irritation. Gloves that won't flex properly affect your stick handling and increase injury risk.
Plus, if your gear's falling apart or smells terrible, you're less likely to wear it consistently. That's when injuries happen.
You don't need to deep clean after every practice, but you should do something. Grab deodorizing supplies like antimicrobial sprays or odor-absorbing pouches. A quick spray-down and proper airing out prevents that bacteria buildup between full washes. It's way easier to maintain clean gear than rescue equipment that's been festering in a bag for weeks.
Regular cleaning isn't optional if you want gear that works right and doesn't make everyone around you gag. Understanding how to wash lacrosse gear properly protects your investment and your health.
Before you start, grab your supplies. Makes the whole process way smoother.
Here's what you need:
Mild detergent or sports wash
White vinegar (kills bacteria and odor)
Disinfectant spray (sports-safe)
Soft brushes and microfiber cloths
Warm water and large tub or washing machine access
Mesh laundry bags
Towels and drying rack
Most of this is stuff you already have. Sports wash and good disinfectant spray are worth buying though.
Never use hot water. Heat breaks down foam, warps plastic, and ruins elastic. Cold or warm water only.
Same with dryers. Air dry everything. Tossing pads or gloves in the dryer destroys them fast.
You need two routines for how to wash lacrosse gear properly:
After every practice or game:
Quick wipe with disinfectant
Air everything out immediately
Leave your bag open
Weekly deep clean:
Full wash for pads and gloves
Thorough helmet scrub
Stick maintenance
Uniform wash
A lacrosse gear cleaning schedule keeps the smell manageable. Skip a week and it gets ten times worse. Stay on top of it and it's barely any work.
Pads and gloves take the most abuse and hold the most sweat. They need regular attention.
Your shoulder, elbow, and rib pads trap sweat like sponges. Here's how to clean lacrosse pads properly:
Step-by-step:
Pull everything out of your bag and shake off loose dirt
Fill a tub or use your washing machine on gentle cycle
Add sports detergent and half cup of white vinegar
Let pads soak for 15-20 minutes if hand washing
Scrub any particularly gross spots with a soft brush
Rinse thoroughly with cold water
Air dry completely - hang them up or lay flat with airflow
The vinegar neutralizes odor and kills bacteria without damaging the foam. Never skip the air drying step. Wet pads stuffed back in your bag are basically breeding grounds.
If your pads are falling apart, heavily stained, or the foam's compressed and won't bounce back, it's time for replacements. Check out quality lacrosse pads that'll actually protect you.
Gloves get disgusting fast. The palms absorb sweat, the interior padding holds moisture, and they never seem to dry properly.
How to clean lacrosse gloves:
Turn them inside out for better air circulation
Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent, or use gentle machine cycle in mesh bag
Add vinegar or spray with deodorizing solution
Squeeze out excess water (don't wring or twist)
Air dry near a fan for faster results
Never put them in the dryer
Inside-out is key. Gets air to the worst areas and helps them actually dry. If you're machine washing, use a mesh bag so the straps don't get caught.
Still smell after washing? Soak them in a vinegar-water solution (1:3 ratio) for 30 minutes before washing. If they stay stiff or the smell won't go away no matter what, consider upgrading to new lacrosse gloves.
Pro tip: don't ball your gloves up wet after practice. Open them fully and let them breathe. Makes a huge difference in how to wash lacrosse gear effectively long-term.
Your helmet and stick don't need as much work as pads, but they still get nasty.
Helmets trap sweat and that padding gets disgusting fast.
How to clean lacrosse helmet:
Pop off the face mask and padding if they come out
Wipe the shell with mild soap and warm water
Clean padding separately with gentle detergent
Hit the interior with alcohol-free disinfectant spray
Scrub the vents with a small brush - dirt builds up in there
Rinse everything
Let it air dry completely before reassembling
Don't dunk the whole helmet. Water gets trapped in foam and creates mold. The chin strap? Scrub it every time. That thing's a bacteria magnet.
If padding's compressed or won't stop smelling, replace it. Same if your helmet's taken hard hits. Check lacrosse helmets for replacements.
Sticks are easier but still need regular attention.
How to clean lacrosse stick:
Wipe the shaft after games with a damp cloth
Knock mud and turf pellets off the head
Soak the mesh pocket in mild soapy water for 10-15 minutes
Rinse and squeeze out excess water
Air dry before using again
Store upright in a dry spot
Never use bleach on mesh or strings. Weakens everything. And don't leave your stick in a hot car or sun while wet - warps the head and kills your pocket.
Check strings while you're cleaning. Frayed or worn? Time for new lacrosse sticks or a restring.
Your bag and uniforms need attention too. They hold onto smell just as bad as everything else.
Gear bags get forgotten but they're part of the problem. Wet gear sitting in a closed bag creates a smell factory.
How to deodorize lacrosse gear bag:
Empty it completely after every game or practice
Wipe interior with disinfectant spray or wipes
Leave it unzipped and open for airflow
Toss in deodorizing pouches or odor absorbers
Deep clean monthly - hand wash with mild soap if possible
Don't zip your bag closed with wet gear inside. That's how you get permanent funk. Air circulation matters more than anything.
Grab deodorizing supplies like antimicrobial sprays or activated charcoal pouches. Makes a massive difference between washes. If your bag's too far gone or doesn't have ventilation, consider breathable lacrosse gear bags designed for airflow.
Uniforms trap sweat and odor in the fabric. Wash them right or they'll smell even when clean.
How to clean lacrosse uniforms:
Turn jerseys and shorts inside out
Wash in cold water with mild detergent
Skip fabric softener - it traps odor in synthetic fabrics
Air dry to maintain fabric integrity
Cold water and inside-out keeps colors from fading. Fabric softener seems helpful but actually makes the smell worse over time. It coats fibers and locks in bacteria.
For stubborn odors, add half cup of white vinegar to the wash. Sports-specific detergents work better than regular stuff for synthetic materials.
Wash uniforms after every use. Letting them sit dirty between games is how you end up with jerseys that reek the second you start sweating. That's the key to how to wash lacrosse gear consistently. Don't let anything sit.
Staying on top of cleaning is way easier than dealing with gear that's been neglected for weeks.
|
Frequency |
Tasks |
Time Needed |
|
After Every Use |
- Wipe down helmet, pads, gloves with disinfectant |
5 minutes |
|
- Air out everything - don't zip bag |
||
|
- Hang gloves and pads to dry |
||
|
- Wipe stick shaft and head |
||
|
Weekly |
- Wash pads and gloves thoroughly |
30-45 minutes |
|
- Clean helmet interior and padding |
||
|
- Soak and rinse stick pocket |
||
|
- Wash uniforms |
||
|
- Spray and air out gear bag |
||
|
Monthly |
- Deep clean gear bag interior |
1 hour |
|
- Check equipment for damage |
||
|
- Replace worn straps, padding, strings |
||
|
- Full sanitize with sports-safe disinfectant |
Quick maintenance:
Wipe down helmet, pads, and gloves with disinfectant
Air out everything immediately - don't zip your bag
Hang gloves and pads to dry
Wipe stick shaft and head
Takes five minutes. Prevents 90% of the smell problem.
Full wash routine:
Wash pads and gloves thoroughly
Clean helmet interior and padding
Soak and rinse stick pocket
Wash uniforms
Spray and air out gear bag
Set a day and stick to it. Sunday night or Monday works for most players between games.
Deep clean gear bag interior
Check all equipment for damage or wear
Replace worn straps, padding, or strings
Sanitize everything with sports-safe disinfectant
Cleaning lacrosse gear isn't complicated. Wipe it down after every use, do a deep wash weekly, air dry everything, and stay consistent. That's it.
Clean gear lasts longer, performs better, and won't make everyone in the locker room hate you. Your pads absorb impact properly. Your gloves stay flexible. Your helmet doesn't breed bacteria. And you save money by not replacing equipment every season.
Set up your lacrosse gear cleaning schedule and stick to it. Five minutes after practice prevents hours of trying to fix gear that's been neglected.
Need cleaning supplies or replacements? Check out deodorizing products, gear bags, and quality protective equipment at Lacrosse Ball Store.
Keep your gear clean. Keep it game-ready. Play better.
Quick wipe-down after every use. Deep wash pads and gloves weekly. Helmet and stick cleaned weekly. Uniforms after every game.
Yes, on gentle cycle with cold water in mesh bags. Add vinegar for odor. Air dry only - never use the dryer.
Empty it after every use, wipe interior with disinfectant, leave unzipped for airflow, and use odor-absorbing pouches. Deep clean monthly.
No. Never. Wipe it down with soap and water, spray with disinfectant, and air dry. Heat ruins foam and warps plastic.
Wipe it after games, soak the mesh pocket in soapy water weekly, rinse thoroughly, and air dry completely before storing. Don't leave it wet in your bag.
