Keeping your gear clean

[Chance]

im new to umpiring and was just wondering what you guys use to clean/keep gear clean. i know most guys clean and shine their gear after every use. Any products and or tips to keeping gear in its best shape, particularly the helmet. i know with sweat and everything over time could deteriorate the leather.

[Umpire in Chief]

I don't use a helmet, but Lysol all my equipment after games. It both disinfects and freshens.

[BrianC14]

im new to umpiring and was just wondering what you guys use to clean/keep gear clean. i know most guys clean and shine their gear after every use. Any products and or tips to keeping gear in its best shape, particularly the helmet. i know with sweat and everything over time could deteriorate the leather.

Here's a link that I found that provides some general guidelines.

http://www.austinumpires.org/uniform_equipment_care.html

For the HSM, just give it a quick spray of water (you'll want to carry a spray bottle w/ water in your gear bag), and wipe it clean on the outside, and a very light water spray & wipe on the interior pads. I would stay away from any commercial cleaners on the helmet.

[semper_fi_72]

Wipe down gear as stated. I use Febreze on the inside of my CP, shoes and hats.

Keeps them smelling nice.

[celt62]

I wipe down the outside plastic with anti-bacterial wipes (wet-ones) and spray the inside with a generous dose of Febreeze. On my shoes I use Armorall wipes. They keep the dirt off and put a nice shine on them.

[Stan W.]

Its all about taking a short amount of time after the game to keep your gear and your investment in shape...

I keep cleaning supplies in a small tray in my trunk....

spray bottle of water and murphys oil soap

a microfiber towel

Clorox Antibacterial wipes

Antibacterial Fabreeze

after the game, I spread my foot carpet and open my chair......I pull off my shirt and hang it on a hanger and hang it under my trunk lid to dry out a bit....

I take off my CP (WV platinum), I take a disinfectant wipe and give it a quick once over.....that ballfield dust can get everywhere.... I then turn it over and spray it liberally with antibactierial fabreeze.... I then set it out on the grass shell down to dry out a bit.

I take off my plate shoes and shin guards.....

I take my plate shoes and knock them together to loosen any dirt on the soles and take my plate brush and run it over the seams to brush out any thick dust... I then spray them with a water and oil soap mixture from a cheap spray bottle.....a quick wipe with a microfiber towel and then I put them in their shoe bags....

I wipe down the shins and spray the backs with antibactierial fabreeze as well.

I take my mask off and dust it lightly with the microfiber towel, then use a disinfectant wipe on the pads....I then put it in a mask bag as well.....if you dont have a mask bag or your mask didnt come with one, you can make one from a towel...

My masks look like they are brand new when in fact they are 5 and 8 years old.

this takes just a few minutes and it pays off in huge dividends in how well your gear looks and lasts....(and smells!)

Edited January 13, 2010 by Stan W.