Washing Under Armour hockey gear properly is key to maintaining its performance, freshness, and longevity. The best approach involves a few straightforward steps, ensuring your technical fabrics stay in top condition without losing their moisture-wicking or odor-fighting properties.
Essential Steps for Washing Under Armour Hockey Apparel
Following these guidelines will help preserve the integrity of your Under Armour hockey gear, keeping it effective for every game and practice.
1. Check the Care Label First
Always begin by looking at the care tag sewn into your Under Armour garment. This label provides specific instructions tailored to that particular item, which might include details on water temperature, drying methods, and whether certain detergents are prohibited. This is the most accurate guide for individual pieces.
2. Act Fast: Remove Sweaty Gear Promptly
After a game or practice, get out of your sweaty Under Armour clothing as soon as possible. Allowing the gear to sit while damp and soiled can trap odors, encourage bacterial growth, and make stains harder to remove. Ideally, rinse it off or toss it directly into the wash.
3. Tackle Stains with Pretreatment and Presoaking
For any stubborn dirt, blood, or sweat stains, pretreating is crucial. Apply a small amount of an enzyme-based laundry detergent or a sport-specific stain remover directly onto the stain. Gently rub it in, and then let the garment presoak in cool water for 30 minutes to an hour before washing. This helps break down tough residues and odors.
4. Sort by Fabric Type for Washing
Wash your Under Armour clothes with similar synthetic fabrics. Avoid mixing them with heavy cotton items, towels, or anything with zippers or rough textures that could snag or abrade the performance fabric. This prevents lint transfer, pilling, and potential damage to the smooth surface of your gear.
5. Protect Small or Delicate Items with Mesh Laundry Bags
Small items like compression shorts, socks, or even protective jock straps can benefit from being placed in a mesh laundry bag. This prevents them from getting tangled around other clothes or caught on agitators, reducing wear and tear and ensuring they maintain their shape.
6. Use a Gentle Cycle and Cold or Warm Water
Under Armour gear performs best when washed on a gentle or delicate cycle. Use cold or warm water, rather than hot. Hot water can damage the synthetic fibers, causing them to break down, lose elasticity, and potentially shrink or lose their moisture-wicking capabilities.
Additional Tips for Protecting Your Under Armour Gear
Beyond the washing cycle, how you treat your gear before and after the wash makes a big difference.
- Avoid Fabric Softeners: Fabric softeners can clog the pores of performance fabrics, reducing their wicking ability and trapping odors. Skip them entirely for Under Armour and other athletic wear.
- Steer Clear of Bleach: Bleach can severely damage the fibers and break down the colors of your gear. If you need to whiten, opt for an oxygen-based bleach alternative designed for colors or sports fabrics.
- Choose the Right Detergent: Use a mild laundry detergent, or preferably, one specifically designed for athletic wear. These detergents often contain enzymes that target sweat, body oils, and bacteria, helping to eliminate odors effectively without harsh chemicals.
- Drying Recommendations: Air drying is the best method for Under Armour gear. Hang it up or lay it flat to dry away from direct sunlight. High heat from a dryer can degrade the fabric's elasticity and performance properties. If you must machine dry, use the lowest heat setting or an air-fluff cycle.
Quick Care Guide for Under Armour Hockey Gear
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Read care labels | Use hot water |
| Wash promptly after use | Use fabric softener |
| Pretreat stains | Use bleach |
| Wash with like fabrics | Machine dry on high heat |
| Use a gentle cycle | Dry clean |
| Use cold or warm water | Iron |
| Air dry or use low heat |
By following these simple yet effective steps, your Under Armour hockey apparel will stay fresh, comfortable, and ready for every intense moment on the ice.
