Any Volleyball player who spends vast amounts of time on the court/beach will concur with one aspect of the sport…. Febreze is the one essential tool to keep the stinky smell of victory and hard work off of your kneepads and other gear.
Washing Volleyball Kneepads
More often than not, the sports gear is left unattended, receiving little to no attention after use. This allows the build-up of sweat and bacteria that work well together to create an amalgam of a notorious stink.
In the end, Febreze happens to be the only plausible solution out of the stinky mess.
In this brief guide, we will be tackling the troublesome issue of dealing with your bitter-sweet smelling volleyball kneepads. As revolting as it sounds, it is a real issue that should be dealt with concerning your health and longevity of your kneepads.
Are volleyball kneepads washable?
Yes, they certainly are. It is a hidden fact that many people live for years without subjecting their kneepads to a good wash. The main reason could be the desire to stretch the longevity of the protectors.
On the other hand, it could merely be a long-winded case of laziness to thoroughly ensure kneepad hygiene.
Kneepads, like any other protecting gear, can be washed. The prime aspect to bear in mind while washing them is to always use cold water or lukewarm water. Warm water or hot water is to be kept away from your kneepads.
This is not a case of having heavy colors bleed out when using hot water. Kneepads are made of certain materials that are not compatible with hot temperatures. There is a high possibility of them undergoing shrinkage or tear in the protective material.
The last thing you want is for your volleyball kneepads to start slipping down your knees or getting awkwardly tight like a pair of Women’s volleyball shorts.
What are volleyball kneepads made of?
One way to understand the need for cold water when washing your kneepads is to be aware of kneepad composition. The material used in most volleyball kneepads is polyester. Other materials used are cotton, rayon, nylon, rubber, and elastic, in varying degrees.
The protective padding around the central knee region is typically a gel-based foam or polyurethane foam, also memory foam.
The fibers of your volleyball kneepad, whatever they are composed of, cannot handle high temperatures. They tend to fall apart, thus making your kneepad inefficient in its primary purpose.
The next time you think of giving your kneepads a good wash, remember why you need to use only cold water.
How to Wash your volleyball kneepads?
Volleyball kneepads require delicate-moderate handling when being washed to retain their structural integrity. There are two such methods to adequately launder your kneepads.
1. Machine Wash
A few important things to remember when machine-washing your kneepads are:
- The temperature should always be kept low; the lower, the better.
- The spinning cycle you select must be the slowest or gentlest, whichever option is available.
- Ensure not to use strong detergents just because your kneepads are creating a high-stink. Always use mild detergents and/or anti-bacterial soaps for a wash.
These basic outlines must be kept in mind when dumping your kneepads in the washing tub. You could either put your kneepads into a laundry-mesh bag or along with some grimy sports clothes when washing.
Avoid washing the kneepads all by themselves. They could simply get tangled up within themselves and not be cleaned efficiently.
2. Hand Wash
Hand-washing your kneepads allows you to see just how much grime you collect in your protective gear. It is also a helpful reminder to keep washing your kneepads once every week or so.
Simply fill a sink with cold water and add in the available anti-bacterial soap. A helpful hack to rid your kneepads of the awful odor is to add in some white vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar seeps into the depths of the kneepads without harming the fibers or their integrity.
The vinegar scouts out any bacterial growth from the inside and eliminates it, thereby reducing the general stink.
Swirl the kneepads around in the water while squeezing them every so often to remove the dirt-laden water. Hold them under running water and squeeze out as much of the discolored water as possible. Fill your sink again and add in some vinegar; let your kneepads rest in the water.
A good 5 minutes later, remove the kneepads and gently squeeze out the water before putting them under direct sunlight.
Are volleyball kneepads dryer friendly?
You might have considered popping the kneepads into the dryer to get them dried up in a moment. As mentioned before, kneepads and high temperatures are bitter enemies.
So, no, volleyball kneepads are not dryer friendly. There is no easy way to get your kneepads to dry in a trice. Whenever you wash your kneepads, ensure there is enough time on-hand to allow them to dry naturally.
If you are in a hurry to dry your kneepads, put them in with some extra thick clothes. Simply ensure to keep the heat on the lowest setting possible, and hope for the best.
How to rid your kneepad odor without regular washing?
Have you ever found yourself picking up those dirty kneepads and reusing them? The thought of double-loading the sweat and grime content in them makes you hesitate, but you have no choice?
Febreze is your go-to option in such cases, isn?t it? Or it could be any other citrus-laden temporary fabric freshener. Whatever your choice, it is, in the end, a make-shift fix.
White vinegar, as mentioned earlier, is a potent natural cleansing agent that kills odor-causing bacteria. Simply ensure to use liberal amounts in your washing cycles or hand-washing sessions and forget about wayward odors.
What you can do to keep your volleyball kneepads relatively clean
- When you are done with your practice session or match, remove your kneepads and fold them inside-out. It is important to let fresh air circulate in them to keep the odor from accumulating.
- Wash your kneepads regularly if you use them actively or else once a week is sufficient.
- After use, douse some anti-bacterial spray on your wet kneepads to keep the bacterial growth at bay and prevent rashes.
- If you are a serious athlete or require regular use of kneepads, consider buying extra pairs. You can always have one pair of kneepads to fall back on if the other needs deep-washing.
Summing up
Not all volleyball kneepads are of a similar build and brand, which implies appropriate methods of care and wash. When it comes to kneepads, the only essentials of washing are to use cold water and gentle handling.
Avoid high heat and regularly use white vinegar to keep the odor at bay. Bear this in mind, and you are set to have a healthy and fruitful sports life.
