Are you sick and tired of stinky knee pads and knee braces that smell like hell?
Annoying isn’t it?
If you are a sports person or athlete like me, you know better knee pads get dirty and smelly quickly. The main culprit is sweat. In fact, we have to deal with it.
So what can you do about it?
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The good news is that this doesn’t have to be thrown away; instead, you can easily clean your knee pads at home by hand or washing machine. The best practice is to clean it at least once a week.
Keep reading, and you’ll find out How to Wash Knee Pads and the process of removing odor from knee pads.
How to Wash Knee Pads: 2 Easy yet Effective Method
The knee is one of the most complex joints in our body. That’s why knee pads are so essential for extreme sports person. They are very handy for protecting your joints in different kinds of movements.
Aside from sports, these protective gears are hugely worn for recreational activities such as mtb knee pads, roofing knee pads, bunion splints, meniscus tear brace, hinged knee brace, volleyball knee pads, roller skating, cycling, skateboarding, cricket, handball, football, basketball, polo, dancing, knee brace, knee elbow pads, knee joint, knee pain, knee cap.
But the fact is No matter how you use them; these pads take the heaviest crushing and grinding experience. As a result, get dirty easily.
Here are two easy methods for how you can easily remove the bad odors and clean it up. Check this out:
- Washing Knee Pads by manually
- Clean up by a washing machine
Method 1: Washing Knee Pads By Manually
It’s the most convenient technique. All you need is:
- Hot water
- A utility tab or bathtub
- A capful of white vinegar
- Mild laundry detergent
I’ll walk you through the whole process, just follow the steps.
Step 1: Fill the tub with hot water
First of all, fill the bathtub about halfway. Ensure that the water is hot but still pretty comfortably put your hands in it. It’s a matter of safety, as you have to put your hand on it.
You may wonder why hot water?
The hot water will help to release bacteria and dirt with less agitation. It’s a very effective way to clean larger knee, especially volleyball knee pads and hockey pads.
But if you’re worried about color or darker fabric bleeding into the water, we recommend using colder water.
Step 2: Add Mild Laundry Detergent and Vinegar
For halfway bathtub water, 1⁄4 cup of laundry detergent will be enough. Also, use a capful of white vinegar to help the cleaning process. Now, swirl your hands to mix the detergent properly into the water.
Step 3: Put the Knee Pad to Saturate Them
The mixture is ready to push the knee pads until. Allow them to saturate with water. When they’re fully submerged, it’s time to move them around the tub.
Don’t worry if you see a lot of dirt to come out of the pads! You can’t even realize how much sweat they absorb.
Step 4: Allow It to Soak
After swirling the pads in the water, it’s time to stop and allow them to rest in the water. It will allow soaking into the middle of the pad. Likewise, it prevents bacteria from increasing in harder-to-clean places.
If you think they are really dirty, again drain and refill the bathtub and repeat the process.
Step 5: It’s Time to Rinse
Squeeze the knee pads frequently to remove water from the foam, and once the water runs clear to remove the pads. It indicates the pads are clean.
Stet 6: Let Them Dry
Once the pads are fully clean, fold the pads into a towel; press on them to remove the excess water. Hang them up to dry on a clothesline for at least 6 hours in the sun. It’s because the sunshine help to kill bacteria and dry faster.
It’s not necessary to use a clothesline; you can also lay the clean pads on a flat surface. But make sure it is in a well-ventilated area. Flip them over to ensure that both sides dry equally.
Method 2: Clean Up By A Washing Machine
Washing the pads on the machine is the easiest way to get a smell free knee pads. Want to know more about clean the pad with the washing machine?
Let’s get down to business.
- First of all, check the tag inside of the knee pads to confirm that it can be machine washed. If it says safe, then it’s ok to continue the process.
- Use a laundry bag and place the pad to keep them safe. Why am I saying to do this? Well, it prevents from getting tangle with your other cloth. Don’t forget to close the bag.
- Wash the pads with a small load of other sports gear. Don’t wash only the pads as they can hit against each other. We recommend putting a small load of sports gear or T-shirts into the washing machine.
- Pour a small amount of laundry detergent into the machine. But don’t add too much detergent as they may damage the material. Try mild detergent which doesn’t contain bleach.
- Now select the “gentle” and “cold water”setting. Then press start. However, cold water helps to remove odor as well as kill sweat bacteria. Look closely if there is a delicate option, and then select it.
- Remove the pads and hang to dry properly. Try to dry them in the sun. Sunlight will help to kill bacteria in the pads.
Additional Tips to Wash Knee Pads: Key Points You Must Remember
- Wash the knee pads every 1-2 weeks.
- If you are using the washing machine, always put cold water.
- Avoid bleach to clean knee pads. This will damage the fabric material.
- Don’t put the pads in the dryer. The tumbling and heat may ruin the pads.
- Use extra pair of the pad and rotate them. After using one pair, let them dry and use other ones in the meantime.
Removing odor from knee pads: How to Clean Smelly Knee Pads
I know the disgusting feeling when it smells bad. I lose my confidence and this unpleasant smell effect on my performance.
To eliminate odors, flip them inside out after wearing them. If you’re an athlete and using them for a sport, let them outside of the gym bag. Let them dry completely for at least 6 hours before wearing them again.
Here is the technique of how I get rid of the odor.
Technique 1:
After every use, put the knee pads in a plastic container or zip-lock bag and seal them together with a small piece of charcoal. Thus, the black carbon material absorbs the bad odor of the used knee pads. Moreover, it got similar features as an anti-microbe-spray.
Technique 2:
If you have enough time to clean it, then it’s the right method for you. Allow the knee pads in fresh air after every use. Just leave and free it in an open repository. When you see it’s completely dry, use a spray to kill viruses, microbes, and germs. These tiny microbes are responsible for causing the smell. Also, keep in mind you have to use a neutralizing spray.
Don’t forget to put white vinegar on the water to get rid of this unpleasant smell.