What the heck... How do you clean protective armor?

Zoodles95

Zoodles95

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Reading up the instruction manuals says not to get it wet. Can only wipe it with a damp cloth. This stuff is starting to smell like hockey equipment. ;)


The manual says to not get wet, expose to direct sunlight, extreme cold or hot etc. How to disinfect/clean this stuff? What do you guys with Dainese, Forcefield, A* etc do to get this stuff clean?
 
I just use a wet cloth to wipe it down. Think about it. If it says "not to get wet" and you've ridden in the rain, what difference does it really make if it gets a little wet from washing it? I wouldn't suggest soaping it though as it will most probably irritate your skin the next time you wear it.

When drying, you also probably want to keep it in a place where it isn't damp where it would sit there for a week wet as it could cause mold to form/grow.
 
I just bought a Fox armoured compression jacket. It gets a bit sweaty inside. In the instructions, it says handwash only. I'm going to handwash it in a bathtub with laundry detergent added to the water, rinse using the shower head, and hang to dry.
 
ike said:
I just bought a Fox armoured compression jacket. It gets a bit sweaty inside. In the instructions, it says handwash only. I'm going to handwash it in a bathtub with laundry detergent added to the water, rinse using the shower head, and hang to dry.
Click to expand...

I take my helmet liner out and wash it with baby shampoo and warm water. Then a really good rinse, towel dry and wait for it to air dry. I do this about every four weeks. I figured I could do something similar with this armour and then I see that the stuff is not supposed to be exposed to sunlight, starlight, nuclear radiation, UV rays, photons, desklamps etc. ;)

Wiping it with a damp cloth is going to do nada to help with the locker room smell. At some point the WAF will creep in if it starts to smell (Wife Agravation Factor).

Surprised that they did not design these to be able to be adequately cleaned. I will look into maintenance and ability to clean this stuff when it gets replaced down the line. What I mean by that is that ability to clean etc will go into my future buying decisions down the line.
 
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You could probably use clorex or whateve company wipes, the ones that aer used to clean bathrooms and kitchens. basically you need to kill bacteria that is producing the odour. After you finish wiping it down with chemicals, wipe it down with water to remove any residual product that may cause adverse effects to you skin.
 
Smell is bacteria.

Freezing (extreme cold) kills them as does microwave radiation.

Since you can't do that, maybe do a general enviro friendly cleaning thing.

Mix some white vinegar into some hot water and wipe off all surfaces with the solution and let air dry. The vinegar kills them and is also odour absorbing.

Consider air drying them in sunlight on a laundry rack or line, the ultraviolet radiation from the sun kills them and helps sterilize. Turn them inside out because most will be on the inner surfaces not the outside of the jacket.

Baking soda is also good for odour absorbing as it is a neutralizer and I clean specific things with it, but for this, have a box to keep your stuff in when completely dry. Open a carton or two pop tops and place those cartons into the box and seal it all shut. I have one in my closet and dresser drawer. Helps prevent staleness/musty.
 
I said to myself "if there's that picture with all his stryker gear AGAIN I'm gonna find him"

Dryer sheets work too
 
i haven't tried it yet, but i was planning on using the spray i used for my hockey gear years ago.

so bascially same as mentioned above, hand wash and hang to dry.

once dry i would spray it the same way i sprayed my hockey gear, to kill the bacteria/stop from forming and to get rid of the smell.
Don't know what the spray is called, but i bought it from national sports in the hockey department
 
Apollo95 said:
i haven't tried it yet, but i was planning on using the spray i used for my hockey gear years ago.

so bascially same as mentioned above, hand wash and hang to dry.

once dry i would spray it the same way i sprayed my hockey gear, to kill the bacteria/stop from forming and to get rid of the smell.
Don't know what the spray is called, but i bought it from national sports in the hockey department
Click to expand...

Its a green liquid right?

I was going to suggest the same stuff too. It works well for hockey gear, and you sweat like a mofo moreso in it than your gear.
 
I just throw my knee armor and mesh jacket in the washer on gentle. No harm.

Probably won't do that with the armored shirt only because bits might wrap around the washer. Likely in a pillow case they would wash fine.

This sounds fine as well

I just bought a Fox armoured compression jacket. It gets a bit sweaty inside. In the instructions, it says handwash only. I'm going to handwash it in a bathtub with laundry detergent added to the water, rinse using the shower head, and hang to dry.
Click to expand...
 
infernobuster said:
Its a green liquid right?

I was going to suggest the same stuff too. It works well for hockey gear, and you sweat like a mofo moreso in it than your gear.
Click to expand...

This sounds like something quick and easy. I keep my visor spray and microfibre cloth handy to wipe the bugs off of the visor after every ride. Could treat the armour to a little TLC every week or so.
 
Geez throw it in a pillow case and wash on gentle - it's not gonna hurt the armor.

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lucky you don't ride in the tropics - you'd spend all your time trying t keep the mold off your gear.
One ride there in 30 degree heat, 95% humidity and mud and dust you either wash it in the machine or throw it away.

I mean really guys

It's designed for this...

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Mix in a spray bottle 50% isopropyl alcohol and 50% water. Apply. Air dry

I use this for all my hockey gear. Works great. Gets rid of all the smell. And the alcohol kills the bacteria. It's also dirt cheap. Big bottle at shoppers is like $3. And water. Well. Tap works good. With a dollar store spray bottle. You'll have a summers worth of disinfectant for under $5
 
Sunspark said:
Smell is bacteria.

Freezing (extreme cold) kills them as does microwave radiation.

Since you can't do that, maybe do a general enviro friendly cleaning thing.

Mix some white vinegar into some hot water and wipe off all surfaces with the solution and let air dry. The vinegar kills them and is also odour absorbing.

Consider air drying them in sunlight on a laundry rack or line, the ultraviolet radiation from the sun kills them and helps sterilize. Turn them inside out because most will be on the inner surfaces not the outside of the jacket.

Baking soda is also good for odour absorbing as it is a neutralizer and I clean specific things with it, but for this, have a box to keep your stuff in when completely dry. Open a carton or two pop tops and place those cartons into the box and seal it all shut. I have one in my closet and dresser drawer. Helps prevent staleness/musty.
Click to expand...

sounds right
 
+1 on the 99% alcohol to kill the bacteria & air it out to get rid of the smell. Febreeze doesn't work, and even "unscented" Febreeze has a distinct smell that lingers.

Dryer sheets will not kill bacteria; not sure if they absorb odor. I put them in my boots, they seem to reduce the odor and leave behind a very light scent.
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