Why should I clean my gear? Because it stinks, but more importantly the smell is generated from bacteria, fungus and mold that represent a serious health risk. These micro-organisms can cause skin rashes and potentially life-threatening infections. Also removing bacteria and fungus extends the life of your equipment. This can be a great savings over the lifetime of an athlete's career. Northwest Clean Gear’s cleaning process eliminates these concerns and leaves the player with sanitary, fresh smelling gear.

Can cleaning damage my equipment? No. Our cleaning process uses gentle enzyme-based detergents and a patented hydralic cleaning process that limits movement and protects the equipment while providing a far more thorough cleaning and sanitizing than possible with conventional methods.

How much does it cost? Prices vary depending on the items being cleaned. Generally the cost is less than 10% of the purchase price. If you consider also that our service will increase the longevity of your equipment, the savings are significant. Think of regular cleaning as preventative maintenance for your gear, much like changing the oil in your car or truck.

How long does it last? That depends on how often you use the equipment and how you care for it, but generally you can get between 18 to 25 uses between cleanings. We included special anti-soil agents in our detergents to help your gear fight against odor and contaminants.

Are the other cleaning methods? Some have tried hand washing and washing machines. These methods must be performed frequently and machine washing has damaged many items due to the intensive agitation. Another drawback is excessive drying times. ONLY our method gives the deep cleaning and sanitizing, and protects your equipment. And you should always take proper care of your gear after use, for example, by letting it air dry as much as possible.

I’ve heard that ozone treatments can kill bacteria and remove odor. How does this compare? Ozone generating machines and rooms can remove some surface level odor and kill some bacteria living near the surface. But the ozone gas is unable to penetrate deep within the gear and the smell will come right back. Ozone also breaks down plastic and foam used in modern gear and has no cleaning effect whatsoever. Further, ozone is a hazardous gas and negatively impacts the environment (and doesn’t assist in rebuilding the ozone layer).

We use surface sprays and disinfectants. Are these effective? We recommend the use of mild sprays on gear as part of a rigorous gear sanitizing program. This includes a program of regular sanitizing every 15 to 20 uses and use of a mild, non-allergenic surface spray after every 2-3 uses. However, sprays have proven to be ineffective at preventing the build-up of mold, fungus and bacteria deep within the gear. Under intensive usage, the surface sprays are easily defeated.

I wear sweats under my gear, how is there any health risk? Although your skin my not be directly contacting your unwashed and most likely germ-infected gear, the bacteria and other germs travel along the moisture in the gear and your undergarments. This makes it easy for bacteria living and multiplying in your gear to reach your skin and gain access to your system through any cuts or abrasions. Further you need to handle the gear to take it on and off, providing another opportunity for exposure.  Presumably you wash your undergarments on a regular basis, so it only makes common sense to wash your gear.

Why didn’t somebody come up with this sooner? The need to clean gear has existed since athletic and professional men and women started wearing protective gear. Needless to say the combination of activity and thick gear involves much sweat production.  However, until the emergence of virulent strains of staph most people just accepted that their gear stunk thinking it was harmless. Now the risk is well documented and becoming epidemic. Another challenge was the difficulty in cleaning gear safely and thoroughly. The patented process used by Northwest Clean Gear was the result of several years of intensive R&D and product development.

Is your process environmentally friendly? Yes. All of our detergents and cleaning agents break down through natural processes. The major difference is the way our system works to force cleaning agents through the gear, minimizing the need for harsher detergents more likely to impact the environment.