Importance of Post Skate Routines

The hidden risks of locker room and gear bacteria — and how to protect your skin after every skate!

If you’ve ever been tempted to throw your gear in the bag, skip the shower, and hit the drive-thru — you’re not alone. But the truth is, that post-game shower isn’t just about smelling better — it’s about staying healthy.

Whether you’re in a freezing cold rink or a hot tournament locker room, sweat, bacteria, and worn gear create the perfect environment for skin infections that can knock even the toughest player off the ice.

🧬 What’s Lurking in Your Gear and Locker Room?

Under all that padding, your skin is warm, wet, and often scraped up — basically a playground for bacteria. But the real troublemakers are often hiding inside your gear.

Your hockey equipment — shoulder, elbow, shin pads, gloves, helmets, and even skates — traps sweat and moisture, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms thrive in the dark, damp environment your gear provides, and without proper cleaning and airing out, they multiply quickly.

This means even if you shower briefly at the rink, bacteria in your gear can easily re-contaminate your skin later if the equipment isn’t cleaned or air dried regularly.

Real Talk: According to the CDC, MRSA (a type of staph infection) is a serious threat among contact sport athletes. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact, shared towels, and contaminated gear.
CDC: MRSA in Sports Settings

👕 The Role of Under-Layers and Why They’re Not a Bacteria Barrier

Many hockey players wear compression shirts, base layers beneath their pads to reduce skin-to-skin contact, wick sweat, and add comfort. These layers are essential but not a perfect shield against bacteria.

Micro cuts and abrasions: Hockey causes tiny skin breaks you may not notice. Bacteria can penetrate through these openings, even under protective clothing.
Sweat buildup: Moisture gets trapped between your skin and under-layers, creating an environment where bacteria thrive.
Fabric contamination: Under-layers themselves can harbor bacteria if not washed frequently and properly.

Regularly cleaning compression gear and base layers helps reduce bacteria buildup and the risk of skin infections like folliculitis, staph, and fungal infections.

Wash with hot water and antibacterial detergent if possible.
Avoid leaving sweaty gear in bags or piled up — dry them thoroughly between uses.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that synthetic fabrics can exacerbate skin irritation and infection risks if not cleaned regularly.

😷 Real-World Hockey Examples

Skin infections from bacteria and fungi affect hockey players at all levels — from youth leagues to professionals. There have been multiple publicly reported cases where players missed games or needed treatment due to staph infections or MRSA linked to shared or unclean equipment.

🚫 What Happens When You Don’t Shower and Clean Your Gear?

If you skip that rinse and neglect your gear, you’re putting yourself at risk for:

MRSA and staph infections
Athlete’s foot and ringworm
Folliculitis (infected hair follicles)
Foul body odor that lingers even after your gear dries

Small cuts or abrasions from your gear or the ice can become infected quickly when bacteria are left unchecked.

🧒 For Youth Players: Shower as Soon as You Get Home

Young players often face extra challenges when it comes to post-game hygiene. Sometimes they’re rushed out of the rink or eager to hang out with friends, and the temptation to skip a proper shower is real. But the real clean-up happens at home.

Encourage your young hockey player to hit the shower as soon as they walk in the door. This habit helps wash away bacteria that might still linger after a skate and stops germs from spreading to family members.

🧴 Keep RinkRat Body Wash Stocked at Home

Having RinkRat Body Wash ready and waiting in your home shower is a game changer. It’s specifically formulated to tackle the sweat, bacteria, and odor hockey players deal with, so your athlete can get a deep, effective clean every time — no shortcuts.

Making RinkRat Body Wash a regular part of the post-game routine helps build healthy habits that keep skin protected and stink at bay, all season long.

✅ Quick Clean-Up Checklist for After the Game

Get out of gear fast — don’t sit around in your sweaty pads.
Use a safe and effective body wash made for athletes – RinkRat Body Wash
Focus on high-friction areas: underarms, groin, legs, back, and feet.
Dry off completely — bacteria loves moisture.
Air out and clean your gear regularly — wipe down or spray your equipment regularly.

🏒 Respect the Rink — and Your Skin

Hockey’s a gritty game, but keeping your skin healthy doesn’t make you soft. Every time you take a post-game shower, you’re doing more than cleaning up — you’re protecting your health, your teammates, and your game.

You already battle enough on the ice — your skin shouldn’t have to, too!

Skating with Danger: Why Hockey Players Can’t Skip the Shower