...

Category: Recreational & Sports Tips

Posted on

Baseball Bats

Description:

There are two main types of bats metal and wood.

Tools & Chemicals:

Cleaning rags, water, mild detergent, polish or wood oil.

Technique:

baseball_batWood bats should be washed with a rag, water and mild soap then dried immediately, especially if the bat is not finished or painted.  The key is to be gentle, using a soft cloth to wipe the bat clean. Aluminum bats can be cleaned the same way. For aluminum bats, try using a metal polish for an extra shine, but be sure the bat is dry first. If your wood bat is unfinished a light coat of wood oil will help protect the wood.
For ball scuffs try using a plastic pot scrubber and mild detergent to lightly scrub off the marks. Different brands of bats might be cleaned better with different products so be sure to try out different methods.

Posted on

Baseball Caps

Tools & Chemicals:
Laundry pre-treat or laundry soap.

Technique:
Baseball caps are easy just pre-spray the headband with laundry pre treat or use liquid laundry soap and rub it on the head band and throw in the wash with your laundry. The trick is to be sure to take it out right after the rinse.

Reshape the hat and let air dry. Do NOT dry in the dryer this will damage the hat for sure. If you have a hat you are really fond of and want to be even more careful you can buy a product which is designed to go into the dishwasher (it is a rubberized steel rack the shape of a baseball cap) and you can wash the cap in the dishwasher using dishwasher soap on the delicate cycle, again air drying once the rinse is finished.

Posted on

Climbing Harnesses

General Info.:
With a little care climbing harnesses will last longer and perform better.

Technique :
Always store climbing harnesses in a cool dry place away from solvents and sunlight. Nylon is especially susceptible to U.V. rays.
Wash a harness with warm water and a little mild detergent when needed. Rinse and let hang to dry.

Precaution :
Never expose nylon climbing harnesses to high heat sources. These can prematurely break down the fibres in the nylon.

Posted on

Climbing Ropes

General Info.:
Climbing ropes will deteriorate with exposure to dirt, moisture and sunlight. A few simple actions will increase the safety and effectiveness of your ropes.

Technique :
Store ropes in an optimal environment-chemical and sunlight free with an optimal temperature of 20 deg.C. (68 deg.F.) and relative humidity of 65%.
Remove excess dirt and always use a rope bag.

Precaution :
Always inspect ropes after every climb. Do not use any rope if you are unsure of it’s condition, especially after a fall, or if abrasion from crampons or sharp rocks have worn into the ropes mantle.

Posted on

Exercise & Activewear

General Info.:
Climbing ropes will deteriorate with exposure to dirt, moisture and sunlight. A few simple actions will increase the safety and effectiveness of your ropes.

Technique :
Store ropes in an optimal environment-chemical and sunlight free with an optimal temperature of 20 deg.C. (68 deg.F.) and relative humidity of 65%.
Remove excess dirt and always use a rope bag.

Precaution :
Always inspect ropes after every climb. Do not use any rope if you are unsure of it’s condition, especially after a fall, or if abrasion from crampons or sharp rocks have worn into the ropes mantle.

Posted on

Football Shoulder Pads

Lynn from Idaho asks How do I clean the horrible odor from my sons shoulder pads?

Try washing down with an enzyme based cleaner. Enzyme cleaners do well at breaking down organic stains. Wash with cleaner then mix a spray bottle with the enzyme mixture and water and just spray and let sit, this should do some damage to the typical teenaged odor machine. Most laundry spotters or stain sticks and certain laundry soaps contain enzymes or you can buy them at any janitorial supply store in concentrate form, just mix with water. Enzymes work best when mixing with warm water and at least half an hour of dwell time to let the enzymes work.

I know you likely have told him a million times be sure to air out the pads after games or practice to be sure this problem is prevented in the first place. Even spraying with the enzyme solution and airing them out is good way to keep the teenager odor machine from overwhelming your household.

Posted on

Golf Clubs

Tools & Techniques:
To clean golf clubs use a mild detergent and warm water. Wipe the club head with a rag dipped in the soapy water, scrub with a medium bristle brush to remove dirt and grass stains.

The most important thing according to golf pro Ray Pearson is the grooves of the face, “this is what controls the balls flight and spin. What a person can do before cleaning is to use a tee and scrape the dirt out of the grooves”. Dry the entire head and shaft with a clean cotton rag. Never submerge clubs, especially wooden woods as the water can damage the finish and the wood, not to mention they are likely antiques.

Posted on

Gore-Tex Clothing

General Info.:
Gore-Tex is a specially constructed fabric with pores small enough to repel water droplets but large enough to let body-moisture evaporate out. When sandwiched with different face fabrics ,Gore-Tex is a very comfortable ,waterproof material.
The enemies of Gore-Tex are dirt, salts and oils which, over time, will wear away the Durable Water Repellency (D.W.R.). D.W.R. promotes water beading up and running off rather than soaking into the fibres.

Technique :
Frequent washings with detergent will keep the D.W.R. from breaking down as quickly. Be sure to rinse completely as detergents by nature cause water to penetrate into fabric in order to wash away dirt. Often a second wash cycle without detergent is necessary to get rid of all the detergent residue.
Everyday use and constant flexing will also cause small cracks in the D.W.R.. Drying the garment in a hot dryer will cause the D.W.R. to partially melt, re-fuse and seal over the cracks. You can also use an iron to touch up the D.W.R..
Eventually, the D.W.R. coating will wear out. There are several D.W.R. restoration products available at your local outdoor store.

Posted on

Guitars

Clean a guitar

Tools and techniques :

Idealy you should wipe down the strings and the face of the insturment after each use, as sweat, dust, and grime will damage the varnish over time if allowed to sit.

Use only a very soft, clean, dry cloth, to wipe the instrument and use it dry as many cleaning chemicals can damage the varnish. It is wise to have your instrument cleaned by a professional on an annual basis if you use it often. Be sure to store your guitar in its case, preferably in a cool, dry place with little temperature change.

Posted on

Hiking Boots-Leather & Suede

General Info. :
Without proper care, leather (and suede) hiking boots will rot or else turn brittle and crack. Even newer waterproof boots need attention to keep the leather supple, conditioned and functionable.

Technique :
Some models are pre-treated at the factory and can be worn several times before waterproofing. Others , especially lighter boots, should be treated as soon as they are purchased.
After use, clean boots with clean, cool water and a medium stiff brush. If mud is allowed to dry on boots for any length of time natural oils can start to wick out of the leather.
Dry wet boots as soon as possible-take out footbeds and laces.
Re-apply the appropriate waterproofing often, especially after the boots have been soaked during use. Consult with the boot vendor for the best treatment for your particular pair.

Precaution :
Never dry wet boots with a direct intense heat source such as a campfire or blow-dryer. These will dry out the leather and weaken the glue.

error

Enjoy this website? Please spread the word :)

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Follow by Email
RSS