How to Clean Football Gear: The Ultimate Guide for Parents and Players

Keeping your football gear clean is critical for keeping it in top shape and free from bacteria, grime, and that all-too-familiar stink. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best tips and tricks for cleaning everything from your helmet to your cleats so you can stay ready to tackle the season.

Cleaning your football gear is more important than you might think. Sweat, dirt, and bacteria can build up on your equipment, leading to strong odors and putting you at risk for skin infections like staph and MRSA. Regular cleaning helps eliminate contaminants, keeping your gear fresher and safer.

Taking care of your gear also helps it last longer and stay effective throughout the season. Plus, clean equipment is more comfortable to wear, and when you’re comfortable, you’re more likely to perform your best on the field.

Football pads take a serious beating during every game and practice. Keeping them clean will extend their lifespan and help them protect you all season long. Here’s how to clean them effectively:

• Disassemble: Remove detachable parts, such as shoulder caps and padding liners.

• Brush Off Loose Dirt: Use a soft brush to remove loose dirt, mud, or debris.

• Hand Wash: Fill a basin with warm water and mild detergent. Submerge the pads and use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub them.

• Rinse: Rinse with clean water to remove all soap residue. Ensure no detergent is left behind, as it can cause skin irritation.

• Sanitize: Use a sports gear disinfectant spray or a mixture of water and white vinegar to kill bacteria and odor-causing germs.

• Dry Completely: Allow the pads to air dry in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold or mildew growth. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources as they can damage the materials.

Cleaning football shoulder pads is a little different than the rest of your padding. Follow the steps below to clean them safely.

• Wipe Down: Use football shoulder pad wipes or warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft rag to wipe off dirt after every use.

• Disinfect: Use a sports gear disinfectant or a mixture of warm water and white vinegar to prevent bacteria growth.

Because football helmet padding protects your head and touches your face, keeping them clean is extremely important. Football helmets can have two types of padding: removable or non-removable.

• Remove the Pads: Detach all removable pads from the inside of the helmet.

• Clean the Shell: Wipe the helmet's interior and exterior with a soft cloth or sponge dampened with warm water and mild detergent.

• Rinse: Rinse the cloth or sponge with clean water and wipe down the helmet again to remove any soap residue.

• Disinfect: Spray the interior and exterior with a sports gear disinfectant or a mixture of water and white vinegar to kill bacteria and neutralize odors.

• Dry: Wipe the helmet with a dry cloth and let it air dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.

• Clean the Pads:

• Hand Wash: Fill a basin with warm water and mild detergent. Submerge the pads and gently scrub them with a soft cloth or sponge.

• Rinse: Rinse the pads thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue.

• Disinfect: Spray the pads with a sports gear disinfectant or a water and vinegar solution to kill bacteria and eliminate odors.

• Dry the Pads: Squeeze out excess water from the pads and lay them flat on a clean towel, or hang them in a well-ventilated area to air dry. Ensure they are fully dry before reattaching them to prevent mold or mildew growth.

Follow these steps to clean a football helmet with non-removable pads:

• Prepare Cleaning Solution: In a bowl, mix warm water with a mild detergent. Use a small amount to avoid excessive soap residue.

• Clean the Exterior: Use a soft cloth or sponge dampened with soapy water to gently scrub the helmet's exterior. Rinse the cloth or sponge with clean water and wipe the exterior.

• Clean the Interior: Dampen a soft cloth or sponge with soapy water. Be sure it is not too wet to avoid soaking the pads. Gently scrub the interior pads and liner, then use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the interior.

• Disinfect: Spray the helmet and pads with a sports gear disinfectant or a mixture of water and white vinegar to kill bacteria and neutralize odors.

• Dry: Use a dry cloth to wipe away excess moisture from both the interior and exterior. Allow the helmet to air dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources.

Football cleats are your connection to the field, but after a few practices or games, they can start to look rough. Keeping your cleats clean will help them last longer and ensure you have the traction you need to perform your best. Here’s how to clean them safely and effectively:

• Remove Loose Dirt: Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to remove loose dirt, mud, or debris. Pay attention to the soles and any grooves where dirt can accumulate.

• Prepare Cleaning Solution: Mix warm water with a small amount of mild detergent in a bowl.

• Clean the Exterior: Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the soapy water and gently scrub the exterior of the cleats. Use the brush for stubborn stains or dirt. For leather cleats, use a cleaner specifically designed for leather.

• Clean the Soles: Use the brush dipped in soapy water to scrub the soles of the cleats.

• Rinse: Wipe the cleats with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue. Avoid submerging the cleats in water.

• Dry: Pat the cleats dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. Stuff the inside of the cleats with newspaper or paper towels to help them retain their shape and absorb any remaining moisture.

Your football jersey takes a lot of hits — both from opponents and from sweat, grass stains, and dirt. Regular washing helps prevent odors and keeps the fabric in good condition for all those intense games ahead. However, it’s trickier than just throwing it in the washing machine.

• Pre-Treat Stains: Check the jersey for stains. Apply a stain remover or a mixture of water and mild detergent directly to them. Gently rub the stain with a soft brush or cloth and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before washing.

• Prepare for Washing: Turn the jersey inside out to protect any numbers, logos, and patches during the wash cycle. Place it in a mesh laundry bag to prevent tangling and stretching.

• Detergent: Use a mild detergent free of bleach and fabric softeners, as these can damage the jersey.

• Wash on a Gentle Cycle: Set your washing machine to a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Hot water can cause the jersey to shrink or fade.

• Dry: Avoid using a dryer, as the heat can shrink the jersey. Instead, lay it flat on a clean towel or hang it on a clothesline to air dry.

Football pants go through a lot, from sliding tackles to diving for the ball. You have to clean them to maintain their durability and your comfort on the field. Here’s how:

• Remove Pads (if applicable): If the football pants have removable pads, take them out before washing.

• Pre-Treat Stains: Apply a stain remover or a mixture of water and mild detergent directly to any stains. Gently rub the stained areas with a soft brush or cloth and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before washing.

• Prepare for Washing: Turn the pants inside out to protect the outer fabric and any logos or lettering. Place them in a mesh laundry bag to prevent tangling and stretching.

• Detergent: Choose a mild detergent that does not contain bleach or fabric softeners, as these can damage the pants.

• Wash on a Gentle Cycle: Set your washing machine to a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water. Hot water can cause the pants to shrink or fade.

• Dry: Air dry the pants by laying them flat on a clean towel or hanging them on a clothesline.

• Reinsert Pads (if applicable): Once the pants are completely dry, reinsert any removed padding.

Football gloves are key for grip and control, but they can get dirty and lose their stickiness after a few plays. Follow these cleaning steps to help your gloves catch and hold onto those game-changing passes:

• Pre-Treat Stains: Apply a small amount of mild detergent directly to the stains. Gently rub the stained areas with your fingers or a soft brush and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

• Prepare Cleaning Solution: Fill a basin or sink with warm water and add a mild detergent. Mix until it forms a soapy solution.

• Hand Wash: Submerge the gloves in soapy water and gently scrub them with your hands. To prevent damage, avoid using a brush.

• Rinse: Rinse the gloves thoroughly with clean, cool water to remove all soap residue. Squeeze them gently to help remove the soapy water, but avoid wringing them out, as it can cause damage.

• Dry: Pat the gloves dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. Allow them to air dry completely. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause the colors to fade and the materials to become stiff.

Now you know how to clean football gear, but how often should you clean it? We’ve put together a cleaning schedule below to guide you.

Taking care of your football gear is just as important as cleaning it. Proper maintenance helps extend the life of your equipment, ensures it stays in top condition, and keeps you safe on the field. Use these maintenance tips every day for all of your football gear:

• Store all gear in cool, dry places with good ventilation to prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Hang gear with numbers or letters to prevent warping, peeling, and sticking.
• Don’t hang anything until it’s dry to avoid stretching.
• Avoid placing gear in sunlight to prevent fading.
• Always follow manufacturer cleaning instructions to avoid accidental damage.

Knowing how to clean football gear helps you stay ready to perform your best. If you’re new to the game or need to replace old gear, check out the football gear and equipment available at Academy Sports + Outdoors!