How to Clean and Maintain Your Saber Fencing Gear
No one likes a stinky fencer! Learn below how to maintain your saber fencing gear, from whites to lamés.
Washing Your Fencing Whites: Pants, Plastron, Jacket
For stretchy nylon material, I usually wash my own on warm and put through the dryer with no issues for shrinking. Cotton material, on the other hand, will shrink in hot wash/dry cycles. I also know many people that wash the stretchy nylon material on cold and air dry. It’s up to your comfort level.
You cannot use chlorine bleach on the fencing gear. If you have stains that need to be removed, I suggest non-chlorine Oxiclean White Revive. I use it as needed on gear, not every cycle, and it keeps everything looking white and clean.
I wash my gear after almost every use since I have no issue putting it through the dryer. If you do not wash your gear after every session, hang up your sweaty gear between sessions to let it dry out. If you air dry, you may run the risk of your gear being damp, especially if you don’t have much time between practices or live in a humid climate.
Washing Lamé Material: Glove, Mask, and Lamé
The trickiest pieces of gear to wash are those with the metallic lamé material, such as your glove, mask, and lamé jacket. The should not be thrown into the washer/dryer. This is the most reliable way I have found to wash these pieces of gear.
Fill a kitchen sink, 5 gallon bucket, or bath tub with enough lukewarm water to cover the lamé. I prefer the tub for washing lamés because it's easy to later rinse them using the shower. Masks are easier to do in a bucket or sink.
Add a 1/4 cup of ammonia or Windex with ammonia to the water, as well as a capful of Woolite or another mild washing detergent.
Take the lame material you are washing and push it into the water, gently swirling it around. Let it soak for about 15 minutes. I usually flip the gear halfway through sometimes the lamés can float up.
Remove the gear from the water and rinse several times in clean water - this is where a shower is handy.
Do not wring out the lame material! Shake it to remove excess water, then place it between two towels and gently press out remaining moisture. Masks are more difficult than lames or gloves to dry this way, but you can dab and gently squeeze the bib of the mask.
Hang up the items in a well ventilated area (run a fan or dehumidifier if you can!) to air dry.
General Fencing Gear Care Tips
Below are a collection of general tips to maintain your gear for longer.
Take Care of Your Fencing Whites to Preserve Your Lamé
As you can see above, washing your lamé material gear can be time-consuming and requires a different process than the washer and dryer that we are used to. To preserve these gear items, it’s best to take very good care of your whites. For example, if you are washing your white fencing jacket regularly between uses, you will not have to wash your saber lamé as often. The whites will get sweaty first as they are next to your skin.
Wash Your Saber Glove & Mask More Often
The exception to the above are the glove and mask, since your hands and face get sweaty as you fence. I wash my glove much more often than my saber lamé. The saber mask can be managed through wiping out the inside lining with alcohol or Lysol wipes when you are finished fencing, or throwing the lining into the wash if you have a removable lining.
Never Leave Your Sweaty Whites Next to Lamé Material
As a rule, never leave your sweaty whites next to any gear with lamé material as the metallic material will corrode with the moisture. It’s fine to throw things in your bag to get home from practice, but once home, separate them to hang dry (or wash) your whites. If you are traveling to an event and have a long ride or trip home, pack the sweaty whites into a separate bag.