Whether you bought soccer equipment brand-new or are working with secondhand gear, it’s essential to take care of your equipment by cleaning and storing it properly.
Doing so will prolong the life of your jerseys, cleats, balls and more, so you don’t have to buy new items each season. Here are a few tips to keep your equipment safe.
1. Clean and Maintain Equipment
Routine cleaning and maintenance are key to protecting your equipment from the elements. For instance, you must clean your soccer ball before and after each game to prevent dirt buildup and air leaks.
You might also advise players to wash their cleats with a baking soda mixture to remove underlying dirt between games or after the season comes to an end. This way, they can store clean equipment without worrying about deterioration.
2. Rent a Storage Unit
If you plan to store your players’ equipment, plus the goals and practice gear, you might want to rent a storage unit for safekeeping. Doing so will ensure they remain in a cool, dry place until you return for them.
First, take inventory of the equipment and calculate how much space you’ll require. Then, you can compare costs and choose a small, medium, or large storage unit to suit your needs.
3. Store Equipment at Home
Of course, if you have room to store your equipment at home, keeping everything in a shed, garage, or basem*nt may be the most financially savvy option.
Regardless of where you keep the gear, you must maintain the door to prevent air leaks, flooding, and other potential issues. Otherwise, soccer balls, cleats, jerseys and other equipment might break or deteriorate due to moisture buildup and extreme temperature fluctuations.
4. Maintain Climate Control
While maintaining your garage door can help maintain a stable temperature and humidity, you may also have to add extra insulation to prepare for the colder months. Likewise, a dehumidifier or air conditioner could come in handy during the summer.
Taking these and other precautions will prevent the equipment from melting, getting wet and growing mold.
5. Use Hanging Racks
If flooding is still a concern, consider using hanging racks to store equipment. This approach may include wall hooks, overhead racks and other solutions to keep items off the floor.
These storage options will also help you avoid stacking training and practice gear, which could warp or bend if you pile too many things on top of them.
6. Deflate Balls
Before storing soccer balls for the offseason, remember to partially deflate them to relieve pressure. This way, if your unit does get hot, your ball won’t overinflate and explode. Use a pump and needle and work slowly to avoid puncturing the balls.
7. Keep It Dark
Many pieces of soccer equipment contain rubber and plastics, which can deteriorate and crack with prolonged sun exposure. The higher the intensity of the light, the faster the deterioration. Therefore, it’s important to keep equipment out of the sun or at least store it in a dark or shady environment.
8. Stop Corrosion
When sunlight and rainwater begin to take their toll on your equipment, it’s essential to stop deterioration and corrosion right away to prevent further damage. Sand and repaint equipment at the first sign of trouble and apply corrosion inhibitor spray.
9. Apply Oil
If your goalposts or training equipment — such as a rebound board — are made of wood, remember to apply mineral oil to protect the material from becoming dry and splintering. This step is especially important if you frequently use this equipment in hot, sunny conditions.
10. Get a Professional Cleaning
Coaches who don’t have much time to clean and store equipment might opt to hire a professional to handle everything instead. Look for a professional who specializes in cleaning sports gear to deep-clean the equipment and remove odor, gunk and bacteria. Often, they have access to tools and cleaning solutions that you don’t.
Teach Your Team
Of course, the best way to protect your players’ equipment from the elements is to teach your team how to take care of their own gear. Show them how to pry the dirt out of their cleats. Advise them on how to properly store their soccer ball. With a little practice, they’ll learn to take care of their gear.
More importantly, they’ll develop a much deeper respect for the game than you could ever instill during practice.
Author Bio:
Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.
