How to Wash Your Kids’ Football Helmet

For the helmet’s outer surface, avoid using abrasive cleaners or coarse pads that may scratch the finish. Use a soft cloth to wipe off dirt and debris.

For football helmets with removable inner pads, detach the padding and set aside. Use a soft cloth, warm water, and a mild detergent to clean the helmet shell and chin strap. To clean the pads, mix warm water with mild detergent and wipe the pads gently using a soft cloth. Let them dry and use a disinfectant spray to neutralize any remaining bacteria. Once all the parts are dry, reassemble the helmet ensuring that all buckles and straps are in proper working order.

If the helmet’s pads are not removable (i.e. glued in place), clean the inside by hand with a soft cloth, warm water and mild detergent. Work the cloth between the pads as much as possible. Spray with disinfectant and let it dry while sitting upright.

The Best Way to Wash Shoulder Pads

After each use, set the pads out out to air dry in an effort to reduce the smell and minimize the growth of mold and bacteria. You can use disinfecting spray or a dampened cloth with gentle dish soap to address any stained areas.

Jersey

Exercise great caution with the home and away jerseys, as they may have bright colors or elaborate team crests. Check the tag for specific washing instructions. Tackle tough stains (think mud, grass, Gatorade and blood) with your favorite stain remover product. Wash the jersey in cold water (to prevent the colors from bleeding) and hang to dry. Do not bleach.

How to Clean Those Sweaty Protective Undergarments

Plenty of sweat gets absorbed by items worn underneath the equipment, such as a jock strap, compression shorts, girdle, hip pads, undershirt and socks. Remove any plastic protective inserts and wash in cold water. Since these pieces are often made from technical fabrics to wick away moisture, check the manufacturer’s tag for any special washing or care instructions. Hanging to dry is always your safest option to prevent shrinking.

For “integrated pants” with built-in padding, wash and dry according to the directions on the tag. Do not bleach, iron or dry clean.

Cleats

This task can get messy, so you may want to head outside. Clap the cleats together to remove loose dirt and grass. An old scrub brush can help loosen caked-on mud — or for the really stubborn stuff, try scraping it off with an old screwdriver. Wipe the shoes’ outer surface with a soft cloth. If shoes are wet from dew or rain, remove the insoles and set out all the pieces to dry in the sun. You can also stuff the toes of the shoes with crumpled-up newspaper to absorb some of the moisture.

Gloves

Players at certain football positions (i.e. wide receivers) may wear gloves with tacky palms. To clean these specialized gloves, start by wiping them down to remove any loose dirt. Add mild detergent to lukewarm water and mix thoroughly before soaking your gloves. You can also put the gloves on and clean them in the way that you would wash your hands. Rub carefully with a gentle cleaning product. Rinse well and squeeze them over the sink to draw out as much water as possible. Air dry on a rack, flat surface or clothesline.

If the gloves are machine-washable, turn them inside out to protect the grippy material on the outside. Place them in a mesh bag or pillowcase before adding them to the washing machine.

The Best Way to Wash & Sanitize a Mouth Guard

Do not use extremely hot water to clean a mouth guard, as the heat can alter its shape. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care and maintenance. Use a toothbrush to scrub it gently with toothpaste or mouthwash, then rinse well and let it dry.

Don’t Forget to Wash the Equipment Bag

Sanitize the gear bag by wiping down the interior and exterior with an antibacterial wipe and dry thoroughly. On a sunny day, you can also give it a good all-over spray with the hose and set it out to dry.

To ensure that all your child’s gear makes it home to the laundry room, clearly label every piece of clothing and equipment. The Mabel’s Labels Kids’ Competitive Sports Label Pack can be customized with your child’s name, jersey number and team colors. Go team!

Looking for more tips to help wash your kids sports gear, we’ve tips on hockey gear too!

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How to wash a baseball or soccer uniform

Your child’s team-issued uniform likely includes a jersey, hat, pants or shorts, and socks. There may be additional pieces such as a warm-up shirt or other spirit wear.

Without the official uniform, your young athlete can’t go on the field. As such, all pieces should be treated with extreme care during the washing process to avoid any damage, shrinking or discoloring.

Here’s a step-by-step game plan for uniform washing:

• Step 1: Label all uniform pieces with your child’s name and number, to prevent mix-ups with teammates. The Mabel’s Labels Kids’ Sports Label Pack is designed especially for this!
• Step 2: Check the tag for washing instructions. Many jerseys are made from high-tech moisture-wicking fabrics that may be designated as “cold water only” or “hang to dry.” Allow enough time in your laundry schedule for all pieces to air-dry before the next game or practice.
• Step 3: Aggressively pre-treat spots and stains, which could be anything from dirt, grass, sand, clay and turf to Gatorade or post-game ice cream. Generously apply your preferred stain remover product before laundering. You may find it helpful to pre-soak the uniform in the laundry tub, or scrub stain remover into the affected area with an old toothbrush.

A side note about laundry products: the best advice and recommendations come from other sports parents. Once at a tournament in Pittsburgh, I struck up a conversation with a random mom about the difficulties of washing white baseball pants. She happily shared all her trade secrets and laundry hacks — including one I still haven’t tried, which was to take an old-fashioned laundry soap bar, run it over a cheese grater, and add the grated-up flakes to the washload.

• Step 4: After proactively treating the stains, launder the uniform at the appropriate water temperature. Take advantage of any bonus features on your washing machine, such as “pre-soak,” “heavy soil” or “extra rinse”.

Try Laundry Stripping

If you’re finding that a regular laundry cycle isn’t enough to neutralize the sweaty smell, consider taking things to the next level with a strategy called “laundry stripping.” In this process, clean clothes are soaked in a tub with a mixture of water, Borax, washing soda and powdered laundry detergent. After four hours, the clothes should be gently wrung out and put through a final rinse cycle in the washing machine. If you’re seeking a deeper clean, check out this detailed breakdown and instructional video about laundry stripping.

Tips for washing baseball and soccer gear

Here are a few simple steps to keep your child’s important (and expensive!) sports gear in prime condition.

Washing footwear

Take cleats outside and remove all loose dirt and grass from the sole. Wipe dust and mud from the outer surface with a soft cloth. If shoes are wet from dew or rain, remove the insoles and set out to dry in the sun.

How to wash Soccer shin pads

On a busy tournament weekend, help keep bacteria away by spritzing shin pads with a disinfectant spray. A day off with sunny skies is a good choice for more elaborate cleaning. First, use a brush and soapy water to scrub the inner and outer surfaces. Then, soak the shin guards in a mixture of detergent and water for about 15 minutes. Rinse well and set outside in the sun to dry.

Most soccer shin guards can go in the washing machine — although it’s wise to check the tag or the manufacturer’s website to confirm. Place the shin pads in a tied pillowcase or delicates bag and use the gentle cycle. Air dry only — shin pads should never go in the dryer.

How to clean catcher’s gear for baseball or softball

A catcher’s leg guards and chest protector have multiple straps and buckles that aren’t well suited for the washing machine. It’s best to perform a full cleaning before or after the season, where each piece can be manually scrubbed with soapy water, rinsed well and hung outside to dry completely.

Washing baseball and softball helmets 

For a traditional two-piece catcher’s mask (similar to an umpire), clean the inner padding with a disposable disinfecting wipe.

Modern goalie-style catcher’s masks frequently have removable padded inserts that attach with Velcro. These pieces can be gently detached from the inside of the helmet and laundered separately in the washer, in a tied pillowcase or delicates bag. Dry outdoors or in the dryer on a low setting.

For batting helmets, the hard outer shell can be wiped easily, but the inner foam is typically glued in and is best left alone. On hot days, air out the helmet post-game so the inner padding is able to dry.

Tips for cleaning smelly baseball and softball gloves

Leather and water don’t mix, so avoid dunking a baseball glove in a washing tub or spraying it with a hose. Instead, manually clean it with a soft brush or towel, as suggested in these expert tips.

Similarly, batting gloves are made from specialized materials and require careful cleaning. Check the specific company’s website for care and maintenance instructions.

How to clean baseball caps

I don’t believe in those plastic cages that supposedly allow a baseball cap to be washed in the dishwasher or washing machine. In my experience, a soaking-wet hat is more likely to lose its shape, structure and proper fit. My best advice is to spot-clean the hat with a damp cloth and place it on a volleyball (or other appropriately sized ball) while drying.

With these simple tips, you’ll be sending your child out on the field looking clean, professional and ready to compete. After the game, remember to praise their dirty shirt or grass-stained pants, as it shows they’re trying their best!

Wondering how to wash hockey gear? Check out these tips!

The post Tips for Washing Baseball and Soccer Gear Like an All-Star appeared first on The Mabelhood.

You’ll be wearing many hats, from chauffeur, hair stylist, nutritionist, chef, personal assistant, travel agent, psychologist, and probably even a few more! All of these jobs are equally important. But the most important of all, is the role of supportive parent.

Managing all of these can be very hard. Here are some tips to ensuring you’re a supportive parent and managing the expectations of your cheerleader and the studio they represent.

Tips to be a supportive cheer parent:

Don’t lose perspective:
Wins, losses, scholarship opportunities, status and endorsements can cloud judgment and cause a parent to lose perspective. This can ruin the experience for your child and negatively affect the coaches, other team members, parents and officials.  Remember – we are working with kids here!  The first and primary objective is for them to have FUN

Arrive on time:
This may not seem like a big deal if your child is 5 minutes late, but it is. They need to be there on time or early, ready to go in the proper attire. This is taken very seriously and affects the entire team and, therefore, their role within the team.

Don’t involve yourself in gossip or rumors:
these are kids, and they shouldn’t be hearing parents gossip about other parents, coaches or kids. Always keep it positive and professional, and stay away from the rumor mill.

Learn the Lingo!

Know the best way to communicate with coaches or parents:
Often, grabbing a coach before class or on competition day to talk about something or ask a question can be very distracting to coaches and is unprofessional. Always know the best way to communicate with the coaches, don’t be afraid to ask other parents. Definitely don’t be afraid to ask questions – just choose your timing well so you’re not disrupting their time with the kids.

Show your Spirit!
Always show your spirit! On competition day, wear team colors! Bring snacks the team can share, and always show your support – whether they do well or lose badly, your job is to always stay positive and supportive. Validate the disappointed feelings but remind them that their worth is greater than the loss.

Start a Fundraiser!
No, this does not mean that you need to bake cupcakes for a bake sale—here is the most simple way of fundraising for your team or studio.

The best way to fundraise for cheer and dance:

Starting a fundraiser with Mabel’s Labels is easy and convenient! Mabel’s Labels has been making kids’ name labels for over 20 years, and they make the BEST Dance/Cheer Label Pack!

Here are the steps to get your fundraising campaign up and running. Check in and ensure you don’t already have a Mabel’s Labels Fundraiser, speak with the other parents and coaches and get them on board!

Sign Up:
Fill out the quick form on the Mabel’s Labels Fundraising Information page to sign up your team or studio. This step ensures you’re officially part of the program. Let the other parents, friends etc. know that you’re fundraising with Mabel’s Labels. Spread the word through newsletters, emails, or social media. Encourage them to participate and support the cause.

Raise Funds:
Once your organization members are aware, they can start ordering personalized labels online. For every purchase made, your organization earns a 20% commission. Mabel’s Labels handles order fulfillment and ships directly to parents with fast, free shipping.

Once the fundraiser is up and running, there is little work for you to do, the entire fundraiser is conducted online. Once you sign up, you’ll continue earning commissions on all future sales.

Not only does this fundraiser help your team financially, but it also reduces lost and found items by providing personalized labels for all squads’ look-a-like items, such as makeup, water bottles, snack containers, shoes, leotards, and bows.

Don’t coach from the sidelines:
This is frustrating for the team, undermines the coaches and is highly unprofessional.

Don’t allow your child or their success to be their identity:
The best athletes are well-rounded people put as much interest in their social life, always encourage friendships outside of the squad! Academics should always come first! Encourage other interests, and always ask and show interest in other areas of their life that are important to them.

The post How to Be a Supportive Cheer Parent appeared first on The Mabelhood.

We’ve all heard the stories of dance moms (heck, there is a show about them!); it’s essential to remind yourself that your kids’ participation and enjoyment of a sport can depend on your attitude as a sports parent. Your attitude and character as sports parent also teach your child life-long skills, respect, good sportsmanship.

Being a good sports parent involves supporting and encouraging your child’s interest in sports while setting appropriate boundaries and expectations. Your job as parents includes providing transportation to practice and games, helping with equipment and uniforms, and being a positive role model by displaying sportsmanship.  

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re starting new sports:

Encourage your child to participate in various sports to find the one they enjoy the most. 

Just because you love hockey doesn’t mean your child will too. So don’t push them into what you love. Instead, let them try a variety of sports, both team and individual and see what’s a good fit for them. Even Tom Brady had to figure this out! At a young age, even if they show a desire for one sport over all others, it’s still an excellent time to encourage them to try lots of things. Playing one sport can lead to burnout and losing interest in all sports. So at a young age, encouraging various sports and activities with an emphasis on moving their body and staying active makes you a good sports parent.

 Provide support and encouragement, but don’t put too much pressure on your child to win or excel.
 

Always emphasize the reason they’re playing- to have fun and stay active. Winning is just a bonus that hard work can sometimes bring, but it isn’t everything. Focus on one day at a time. Good sports parents will ensure they focus on being their best that day. Not thinking ahead to winning championships, scholarships or the NFL that many parents convince themselves is in their future. Please your importance on the hard work they put in – today. 

 “…only 0.02 percent of hockey-playing boys in Ontario will make a ‘career’ out of hockey.”

This may seem discouraging or negative, but only if you look at the end goal this way. The end goal of kids in sports is a lifelong love of the game, life skills like dedication, hard work and a love for keeping an active lifestyle throughout life.

 Support and celebrate, but don’t inflate their ego 

Sure, you think your kid is the best on the team; maybe they are!? Or perhaps you’re biased?! Regardless, it’s important to praise and congratulate them but don’t inflate their ego. Don’t tell them they are the best or better than anyone in particular. Teammates don’t want to play with a cocky player, and coaches don’t appreciate this un-sportsman-like attitude. Coaches consider more than just skill when it comes to recruiting; the best player isn’t always who they’ll want on the team if it means dealing with poor team dynamics.

Attend your child’s games and practices, but don’t hover or coach from the sidelines. 

You are not the coach; you are the parent. Therefore, your role is different (see this vital task, lol). Cheer from the sidelines, never say anything negative about other players, and avoid conflict with coaches. 

Always be respectful of officials. Inevitably, somebody will make bad calls, and a ref may upset you, your kid, or the team – it’s still not your job to speak poorly about them. You can be disappointed, but never bad-mouth anyone. Good sports parents always manage their anger and set a good example for the team (players, coaches, parents – you likely all feel like family). So stay positive, show class, and never bad-mouth anyone. 

Help your child balance their sports commitments with other responsibilities, such as schoolwork and family time. 

You are the parent. This is your job. Helping your kids function in all aspects of their life is essential. They need to learn how to manage their time and responsibilities. Raising well-socialized, happy kids means allowing them time to be kids. Free time and time with friends are equally important for childhood development. Teaching your kids to be responsible adults means teaching them time management and the importance of finishing their homework and chores.

Speaking of organization- parents also need to make sure your kids in competitive sports are well labeled! 

Celebrate your child’s successes and help them learn from their failures.

They will not always win; they’ll make mistakes and have bad days. That doesn’t make them a bad athlete, but how they react and deal with losses can make them a good team player and a well-rounded person. Tell them that failure happens; loss is hard but temporary. Remind them that you’re still really proud of them, and mention some great things that happened in the game or practice.  

 Allow them to have disappointment and feelings about it – but make sure they don’t dwell for too long. Remind them that there is always next week or next year. Losing happens. We must teach them to deal with it well. 

 Here are a few quick notes that should go without saying, 

-If you can’t be at every game (that doesn’t make you a bad parent!), just tell them that you support them and are thinking of them.
-When you are at games, put your phone away.
-Talk and display appropriate behavior, like winning gracefully.
-Never, ever say anything discouraging, share thoughts or opinions on another player’s lack of skill
-Remember, they are just kids. 

The key is to remember that your child’s participation in sports should be enjoyable and not overly stressful. Make sure to communicate with coaches and other parents to ensure your child’s experience is positive, as well as the team’s experience.

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