Maintenance of fencing clothes
Antoine Gouin
Fencing clothes do not require a lot of maintenance. It is crucial to let them dry after a pratice and to wash them as needed, but otherwise there is no special maintenance required.
Drying your equipment is important!
Some fencers seem to think their fencing bag is a storage bag. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is very important to hang up your fencing clothes after each practice and tournament to air it out. Otherwise, odors develop quickly and mold may even start appearing.
Please note, it is very important that you never machine-dry your fencing clothes. They need to be air-dried on a hanger.
How to wash fencing clothes
It is possible to wash fencing equipment by hand or in the washing machine, but there are several things to keep in mind:
- Close all zippers.
- Close all velcros. Male velcros can damage certain fabrics.
- If your glove has dark colors, wash it separately to avoid staining other clothing.
- Never use water hotter than 30° C.
- Never use bleach.
- Never use fabric softener.
For drying, do not use the dryer. Equipment must be hung to air dry.
If your glove is made of synthetic leather, be sure to wear it on your hand for a few seconds before leaving it to dry. This will help restore its shape.
Other considerations
- Avoid storing or transporting your equipment in plastic bags or other sealed material.
- Avoid carrying or storing your blades in contact with your fencing clothing, especially if your clothing is wet. Your blades will rust and stain your clothes.
- Whenever you put away your fencing clothes, be sure to fasten all your velcros. Even if it's just to put them in your fencing bag. Male velcros can damage the fabric of some fencing clothes.
