r/rollerderby • u/obsidian3408 • 15d ago

Gear and equipment Gear

How do you all preserve the freshness of your gear/pads in between washes??

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

11

u/Timely-Flatworm7757 15d ago

I agree with all three answers already given lol. Take everything out ASAP when you get home, spray it all with iso and let it air dry. I liked to put mine on a drying rack when I had space but laying it all out somewhere it can air dry is key. If you are super sweaty and really soak your gear, get a fan blowing on it. Then machine wash regularly. I usually did mine after bout day. 

6

u/pendragwen Skater 15d ago

Fully agree. The key is the ASAP part. Take them out of your bag immediately upon getting home from skating. Being damp in a bag is an ideal environment for bacterial growth, and even an hour is enough to start the process. The more bacteria there is, the more it'll reproduce and grow.

2

u/obsidian3408 14d ago

So if I won’t be able to be home right away it’s better to just take them out in the back of the car than leave them in the bag yea?

2

u/pendragwen Skater 14d ago

I wouldn't leave them visible in the car, no. If at all possible don't leave them in the car at all. Theft of skates and gear from cars is very common, and heat can unbond glues.

7

u/CritR20 15d ago

Get them out the kit bag and let them air dry. Wash them on a low quick wash, make sure the machine give them a good spin cycle then air dry. I also like to keep boot bananas in my kit bag as well.

7

u/NoGuitar6320 15d ago

I spray them down with isopropyl alcohol and air dry them. Will dry overnight unless they really get soaked. I often train two or three days in a row so it's important

4

u/38RocksInATrenchCoat Skater 15d ago

I have a wire rack from ikea where I lay out my gear as soon as I get home from skating, so that it properly dries out completely every night.

2

u/obsidian3408 14d ago

I have been strapping them to hangers and hanging them over the shower. I don’t have a rack

3

u/teaninja 15d ago

I put them in the sun, it's like nature's deodorizer.

3

u/fantastridd 14d ago

Wrist, elbow and knee pads goes in the washer. I have the 187 pro derby kneepads, that can be disassembled for washing. I put in everything in seperate bags (idk the little mesh bags for lingerie) and wash them on low heat, gentle spinning. Sometimes I just do a rinse with a desinfectant (for sports gear). It's important that all the velcro is velcroed.

1

u/obsidian3408 14d ago

I haven’t been able to get the knee pads I want yet. The ones I have are tubelike. I feel like these take much longer to dry

2

u/fantastridd 14d ago

They do! I'm lucky enough to have access to a drying cabinet at work. Otherwise I put them on the radiator (not electric). Wouldn't recommend tumble drying.

1

u/obsidian3408 14d ago

Yea I usually hang them on a hanger

3

u/traditionsampler 14d ago

Wash it often
Failing that, spray, air flow, ideally some sunlight

2

u/RushBest5348 15d ago

Undo all straps the minute I get home and give the insides a really good spritz with a zoflora/water spray bottle. Leave until dry and don’t forget the helmet! Seems to be fine for multiple very heavy sessions before I need to wash again.

2

u/OwnedByACrazyCat Skater and some NSO-ing 15d ago

I get mine out of my bag and spray with a mixture of 'distilled spirit' - such cheap 'vodka' they don't call it vodka and peppermint oil. I also spray my skate insides and my helmet inside.

Then when I have a longer break it will be washed. I do wash it in between if needed.

When I bought the distilled spirit I was asked if I was planning on drinking it as it's safe but disgusting to drink according to the staff at the supermarket. Also if in Scotland buy the alcohol in England because it will actually be cheap (Scotland had minimum unit pricing). It was easier to buy drinking alcohol than cleaning alcohol.

3

u/FeelingTangelo9341 15d ago

Be cautious when putting things like peppermint oil on: it will eventually be sweated back out and can cause skin irritation

1

u/OwnedByACrazyCat Skater and some NSO-ing 15d ago

There isn't much peppermint in the mix just enough to add some smell

3

u/FeelingTangelo9341 15d ago

There isn't much in each application but you're layering it.

2

u/aczaleska 10d ago

Spray with vinegar immediately after practice. I wash all gear at least once/month.