Post-Game Hygiene Routine: From Locker Room to Laundry
Why Hygiene Doesn’t End When the Game Does
The final whistle might signal the end of the game, but it’s just the beginning of another important routine — cleaning up. After a long match, players are drenched in sweat, gear is scattered, and bacteria are already starting to multiply. Helmets, pads, gloves, and towels all collect moisture and grime that can quickly lead to odor, infection, and damaged equipment.
What happens after the game matters just as much as what happens on the field. A consistent post-game hygiene routine protects your health, extends the life of your gear, and keeps locker rooms safer for everyone.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to a winning post-game hygiene routine — from the locker room to the laundry.
Step 1 – Start in the Locker Room
The best time to stop bacteria from spreading is before you leave the locker room. After the game, take a few minutes to wipe down helmets, shoulder pads, gloves, and other gear. Using alcohol-based disinfectant sprays or wipes (like Matguard’s) right away kills bacteria before it has a chance to grow.
The sooner you disinfect, the fewer germs survive. Make it a habit to clean before you pack up.
Pro Tip: Never seal damp gear inside a bag. Trapping moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for odor and infection. Leave zippers open or gear unpacked until it’s fully dry.
Step 2 – Personal Hygiene Comes First
Shower Immediately
As soon as your gear is off, head for the shower. Washing away sweat, turf debris, and bacteria right after a game keeps your skin clear and lowers your risk of infections. Use an antibacterial or medicated body wash, paying extra attention to areas prone to cuts, friction, or padding contact.
This simple step goes a long way toward preventing staph, ringworm, and other common locker room infections.
Don’t Share Towels or Razors
Even small habits can spread bacteria. Sharing towels or razors transfers germs like MRSA directly from one player to another. Always use your own clean towel and personal grooming tools — no exceptions.
Step 3 – Gear Cleaning Before You Head Home
Before leaving the facility, give your gear one last pass. Wipe down every piece of equipment with disinfectant wipes or spray. Open up helmets and shoulder pads to let air circulate and help them dry faster.
Empty cleats of dirt, turf pellets, and moisture, then spray them with alcohol-based disinfectant. When you pack up, keep zippers open or gear partially unsealed so air can move through. Never toss wet gear straight into a closed bag or trunk — that’s how bacteria and mildew start to grow.
Step 4 – Home Laundry Routine
Wash Everything That Touches Skin
Once you’re home, go straight to the laundry room. Anything that touched your skin — undershirts, socks, towels, compression sleeves, or uniforms — should go into the wash immediately. Use hot water and a disinfectant detergent to kill bacteria and remove odor-causing buildup.
If it touches your skin, it needs cleaning.
Don’t Mix Athletic Gear with Regular Laundry
Keep sports laundry separate from the rest of the household wash to prevent spreading bacteria to everyday clothes. If the gear is especially dirty, run an extra rinse cycle. That small step ensures detergent residue and bacteria are fully removed.
Clean clothes, clean skin, and disinfected gear — that’s the real post-game win.
Step 5 – Clean and Store Equipment Properly
Once the laundry’s done, it’s time to give your gear a final check before putting it away. Non-washable items like helmets, shoulder pads, or mats should be disinfected again to make sure all bacteria are eliminated.
Let everything dry completely before zipping up or stacking in lockers. Even a little trapped moisture can lead to mildew, odor, or material breakdown over time.
Always store equipment in a well-ventilated area — not in a car trunk or damp basement. Airflow helps prevent bacterial growth and keeps your gear in game-ready condition.
Weekly Deep Clean: At least once a week, give helmets, pads, and training mats a full disinfectant wipe-down or spray treatment. Think of it as maintenance — the same way you check your cleats or rehydrate after practice. A few extra minutes keeps your equipment performing longer and safer.
Step 6 – Keep the Locker Room Fresh
Cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility. Even small habits make a big difference when the whole team commits. After each game or practice, assign a few players to wipe down benches, spray high-touch surfaces, and open vents or windows to keep air circulating.
A few minutes of effort keeps the locker room safer and odor-free. When a team takes pride in its environment, it shows in how they play — disciplined, focused, and professional.
The Winning Habit: Make Hygiene Part of the Game Plan
Hygiene isn’t just a health measure — it’s part of peak performance. Fewer infections mean fewer missed practices, stronger immune systems, and more consistent time on the field.
Good teams don’t just play hard — they clean smart.
Matguard’s sports disinfectants make post-game cleanup quick, effective, and part of every athlete’s routine. A clean locker room and disinfected gear aren’t just signs of good habits — they’re proof of a team that plays to win.
