Hi Dames,

I get really really bad smelling pads after training. Literally after using them just twice after they have been washed they are rank. Surprisingly recently my wrist guards have smelt the worst.

I don't tend to wear an extra layer under my pads but would recommend doing that in the first place to cut down the sweat transfer.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you something that I think might ward off the nasty pad whiff between washes.

Now I've tried the vodka mix (1 part vodka and 4 parts water sprayed liberally on pads after training and left to dry), and I don't think it works all that well but it might help against getting ringworm and nasty things like that. As I have never really felt the benefit of this technique I thought I would try something new.

So over the past few days I have been trying bicarbonate of Soda on my pads as bascially I have been watching too much "How clean is your house" and they always seem to use it as an antibacterial deoderiser.

When I first put it on my pads they were still wet from training - gross I know but I sprinkled it on liberally but it just didn't seem to do anything. So I dried them off on a warm radiator and tried again.

During the second attempt I sprinkled it liberally in the pads and on the outside and left for about 2 days. I think I used just over 1/2 a tub of bicarbonate of soda because of the two step process - which is unnecessary as I learnt that the pads need to be dry before application.

Results: Would you believe it the smell is not half as bad on my pads and I do think it has done the job.

My knee gaskets smell like I have just washed them - honestly
My wrist guards still smell a bit but not as much
My elbow pads still smell a tiny bit but its not bad.

Now I'm not saying this is a miracle cure to pad stink but I thought you all should know as it might work for you too!

Lashes x

i have just put mine through the wash as they were rank, my wrist guards were the worst

By spooky coincidence, on the bus after practice we were talking about de-stinking options, and I mentioned using bicarb, it definitely works as a deodoriser and is the main ingredient in a lot of those 'sneaker balls' you can get to put in your trainers.
I try to remember to use LUSH paper bags as air fresheners in my kit bag, they end up with small amounts of bicarb in them from bath bombs and already have a nice smell of thier own.

We have also used cat litter to get the stink out of old books that have been in smoky houses, you put the smelly item in a sealed box or bag and it works quite well. A bit dusty and might need longer than a couple of days though!