How To Wash Lacrosse Gear: The Complete Sanitization And Care Guide

Deep cleaning lacrosse equipment requires a balance of targeted enzymatic deodorization, antimicrobial sanitation, and strict thermal control to protect closed-cell foam and synthetic fabrics. Washing gear in cold water under 100°F (38°C) using sports-specific detergents eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria and lingering odor compounds without breaking down protective EVA padding, Clarino leather palms, or polyurethane shell structures.

Pre-Wash Preparation and Equipment Checklist

Before beginning the decontamination process, inspect every piece of equipment for structural failure, torn stitching, and degraded foam. Lacrosse padding absorbs substantial salt, sebum, and bacterial loads during play, creating an ideal breeding ground for Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium, and various fungal strains. Proper preparation prevents hardware damage to washing machine drums and preserves moisture-wicking fabric treatments.

Required Materials and Tools

• Enzymatic Sports Detergent: Formulated specifically to break down lipid-based body oils, sweat proteins, and organic compounds without leaving residue.
• Distilled White Vinegar (5% Acetic Acid): Acts as a natural rinse aid to strip soap buildup, balance fabric pH, and neutralize alkaline ammonia compounds.
• Heavy-Duty Mesh Laundry Bags: Protects straps, Velcro fasteners, and plastic buckles from snagging or breaking inside machine drums.
• Soft-Bristled Nylon Brush: Essential for manually scrubbing hard polycarbonate shells, cleat treads, and dense foam inserts.
• 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Spray: For quick topical surface disinfection on non-porous helmet liners and plastic guards.
• Drying Rack or Dehumidified Drying Space: Garment drying requires high airflow and ambient temperatures below 105°F (40°C).

Operational Benchmarks

• Preparation & Sorting Time: 15 minutes.
• Active Wash/Soak Duration: 45 minutes to 2 hours (depending on method).
• Air-Drying Time: 12 to 24 hours.
• Estimated Maintenance Cost: $10–$25 for specialized detergents and washing accessories.

Step-by-Step Lacrosse Gear Decontamination Protocol

Note: Do not subject hard plastics or specialized EVA/EPP foams to heat above 105°F (40°C). High thermal exposure causes glue delamination, foam compression failure, and plastic shell warping.

Step 1: Gear Mechanical Inspection and Sorting

1. Separate hard-shell gear (helmets, face masks) from soft padding (shoulder pads, arm guards, rib pads, gloves, and liner gear).
2. Fasten all Velcro straps, plastic buckles, and zipper enclosures completely on all pads. Exposed hook-and-loop fasteners will shred synthetic mesh and damage adjacent fabric weaves during the agitation cycle.
3. Remove all removable internal padding strips, liner inserts, and chin straps from the helmet.
4. Place smaller protective items—such as arm guards, rib pads, and gloves—into individual heavy-duty mesh laundry bags to restrict tangling and mechanical wear.

Step 2: The Deep-Soak Deodorization Pre-Treatment

For heavily soiled gear or equipment that has developed a persistent odor due to microbial buildup, perform an initial soak before running a standard wash cycle.

1. Fill a clean bathtub, utility sink, or large plastic storage container with cool or tepid water (maximum 90°F / 32°C).
2. Add 1 cup of enzymatic sports detergent and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar per 10 gallons of water. Agitate the bath manually to ensure complete solution integration.
3. Submerge shoulder pads, arm guards, rib pads, and gloves entirely into the bath.
4. Place a clean, heavy object (such as a water-filled bucket) over floating pads to keep them submerged under water for 45 to 60 minutes.
5. Drain the bath water and gently press down on the soft foam padding to expel trapped dirty water. Do not twist, wring, or bend structural plastic components.

Warning: Never use chlorine bleach or fabric softeners on lacrosse gear. Chlorine deteriorates polyurethane stitching and compromises synthetic fibers, while fabric softeners leave a hydrophobic chemical coating that traps bacteria inside open-cell foam and destroys moisture-wicking capabilities.

Step 3: Washing Soft Protective Padding in a Machine

1. Load mesh-encased soft pads (shoulder pads, elbow pads, arm guards, liner shorts) into a front-loading or top-loading washer without a central agitator spindle. Central agitators can tear straps and crack internal plastic plates.
2. Pour 2 to 3 ounces of enzymatic sports detergent into the primary wash dispenser. Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener compartment for the final rinse cycle.
3. Select the Gentle, Delicate, or Sports Gear cycle.
4. Set the water temperature strictly to Cold or Warm (never exceeding 100°F / 38°C).
5. Set an extra rinse cycle to ensure all soap residues are completely purged from deep foam matrices.

Step 4: Manual Cleaning for Helmets, Gloves, and Cleats

Helmets and traditional lacrosse stick heads must never be fully submerged or laundered in a washing machine due to hardware corrosion risks and structural foam degradation.

1. Lacrosse Helmet Maintenance:

   
   
   
   • Wipe down the exterior polycarbonate shell and steel/titanium facemask using a damp microfiber cloth and mild dish soap solution.
   • Spray internal Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) or Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam padding with a 70% isopropyl alcohol spray to kill surface pathogens.
   • Scrub chin straps manually with warm water and detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry.
   • Towel-dry all metal snaps and screws immediately to prevent oxidation and rust.

2. Lacrosse Glove Care:

   
   
   
   • Wash glove exteriors using the cold-water machine method (inside mesh bags) or scrub manually using a soft brush dipped in enzymatic solution.
   • Take extra care with Clarino or natural leather palms. Avoid aggressive scrubbing on palm seams.
   • After washing, slide plastic shoe trees or rolled dry towels into the gloves to help palms retain their operational contour during drying.

3. Cleat Washing Protocol:

   
   
   
   • Knock off dried mud and field turf debris by clapping soleplates together.
   • Scrub the upper synthetic leather/mesh and outsole TPU plates using a nylon brush dipped in warm, soapy water.
   • Remove inner insoles and wash them separately. Stuff paper towels inside cleats to draw out moisture and maintain structural shape.

Step 5: Moisture Extraction and Safe Drying Workflow

1. Remove all gear from the washing machine immediately upon cycle completion to prevent sour damp odors from developing.
2. Press pads between dry, clean bath towels to extract excess moisture without applying severe shear forces to internal foams.
3. Hang shoulder pads, rib guards, and arm sleeves on heavy-duty plastic or wooden clothes hangers on a drying rack.
4. Place gear in a well-ventilated indoor space equipped with a ceiling fan or box fan, or position it outdoors in direct shade.
5. Rotate gloves, cleats, and pads every 4 to 6 hours to facilitate uniform air velocity across all internal surfaces.

Pro-Tip: Position an oscillating fan directly facing the open cuffs of lacrosse gloves and interior helmet shells. Increasing localized air movement reduces drying time from 24 hours down to under 8 hours, stopping mold spore germination before it starts.

Equipment Cleaning and Material Safety Matrix

Troubleshooting Common Equipment Maintenance Failures

Persistent Odor After Cleaning

• Root Cause: Deep-seated bacterial bio-layer embedded within closed-cell EVA foam matrices that standard surface detergent cycles failed to dissolve.
• Actionable Fix: Perform an extended 2-hour submersion soak using a 1:4 ratio of 5% distilled white vinegar to cold water. Follow up with an enzymatic laundry additive wash cycle, then dry the equipment under direct high-velocity fan airflow until completely free of moisture.

Hardened, Stiffened Glove Palms

• Root Cause: Natural oils in Clarino or real leather palms stripped by heat, improper detergents, or rapid dehydration under direct sunlight.
• Actionable Fix: Apply a dime-sized amount of specialized synthetic leather conditioner or pure lanolin cream to damp glove palms. Work the conditioner thoroughly into the material fibers using circular thumb motions while wearing the gloves, then allow them to air-dry at room temperature.

Mold and Mildew Growth on Liner Fabric

• Root Cause: Gear stored inside a closed, dark gear bag while wet from sweat or rain, creating ideal environmental conditions for fungal sporulation.
• Actionable Fix: Spray affected textile surfaces thoroughly with a solution of 10 drops of tea tree oil dissolved in 1 cup of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Scrub gently with a soft nylon brush, repeat the delicate machine wash cycle with an enzymatic cleaner, and air-dry in direct shade.

Delaminating Foam or Warped Plastic Guards

• Root Cause: Thermal exposure exceeding material tolerances (e.g., heated tumble drying, high-temp wash cycles, or drying on hot radiators).
• Actionable Fix: Delaminated glues must be re-bonded using high-flexibility, waterproof contact cement or polyurethane adhesive (such as Gear Aid Aquaseal). Apply adhesive sparingly between separated layers, clamp securely for 24 hours, and strictly eliminate heated drying methods going forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put lacrosse gloves in the washing machine?

Yes, you can wash lacrosse gloves in a washing machine provided you place them inside a heavy-duty mesh laundry bag, select the delicate cycle, use cold water, and use an enzymatic detergent. Never place lacrosse gloves in a heated tumble dryer, as heat shrinks synthetic palms and degrades internal protective foams.

How do I dry lacrosse gear quickly without damaging it?

The safest way to accelerate gear drying is to place protective equipment directly in front of a high-velocity box fan or dedicated gear dryer in a low-humidity room. Elevating pads on a wire drying rack maximizes airflow across all internal surface areas without exposing foam or plastic components to thermal damage.

How often should lacrosse gear be washed?

Soft protective padding (shoulder pads, arm guards, liner gear) should undergo a light sanitizing alcohol spray after every use and a full deep-wash cycle every 2 to 3 weeks during the season. Gloves and cleats should be scrubbed and sanitized monthly, or immediately if exposed to severe mud and rain.

Is it safe to use Lysol spray on lacrosse gear?

Disinfectant sprays like Lysol can be used occasionally on non-porous helmet shells and hard plastic guards to kill surface bacteria. However, avoid soaking soft foam, mesh linings, or glove palms with standard household disinfectants, as harsh chemical propellants and synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritation and accelerate fiber breakdown.

Master Your Equipment Care Strategy

Maintaining clean, sanitized protective gear extends equipment lifespan, maintains impact protection standards, and prevents severe skin infections throughout the competitive season. Integrate this protocol into your weekly training schedule to keep your padding field-ready and performing at its peak.