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Wipe sports gear clean and let pads, gloves and helmets dry fully before storing. Keep bats and rackets in covers, store kit in breathable bags and label everything. Self Storage India offers private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV, regular pest control and monthly plans with no lock-in.
Cricket kits, badminton rackets, football gear and other sports equipment often sit unused for months between seasons. Bats, pads and helmets are bulky, and leather and willow need care. Here's how to clean and store sports equipment so it's ready when the season starts again.
How should you clean gear before storing it?
Wipe off dirt and sweat, and let everything dry fully. Damp pads, gloves and kit bags can develop mould and smells in a closed space. Wash clothing and air out shoes before packing.
How should you store each item?
| Item | How to store it |
|---|---|
| Cricket bat | Wipe clean, keep dry and store in a bat cover |
| Pads, gloves and helmet | Air out fully, then store in a breathable kit bag |
| Cricket balls | Wipe clean and keep in a box |
| Rackets | Store in covers, away from direct heat |
| Footballs and other balls | Clean and store in a mesh bag or box |
| Shoes | Clean, dry and stuff with paper |
| Kit clothing | Wash, dry and pack in sealed bags |
For bat oiling and knocking-in, follow the maker's guidance.
How do you pack sports gear in a unit?
- Group gear by sport or by family member.
- Keep bags and cartons off the floor and leave a gap from the walls.
- Label each bag with its owner and contents.
- Keep the kit you'll need first near the door. See arranging a storage unit.
- Keep a list of what's stored. Use our inventory list template.
For damp months, read our monsoon storage tips.
How do you look after a cricket bat in storage?
A willow bat is a piece of natural wood, and it reacts to dryness and damp like any other wooden item. A bat that's put away carelessly at the end of a season can crack, warp or lose its handle grip by the next one.
- Clean the blade. Wipe off mud and ball marks with a dry cloth. Light sanding of rough patches is something many players do before storage; if you're unsure, ask the shop where you bought it.
- Oil only if the maker recommends it. Some bats are raw willow and some have a protective face or coating. Follow the bat maker's care instructions rather than oiling by habit.
- Let it dry fully. Never put a bat away damp, whether from rain, sweat on the handle or a fresh coat of oil.
- Store it upright or flat, not leaning under load. A bat in its cover, stood on the toe on a padded surface or laid flat on a shelf, is safer than one propped at an angle with bags piled against it.
- Keep the cover breathable. A cloth bat cover is better than a sealed plastic bag, which can trap moisture against the wood.
- Check the grip. Rubber grips can perish over time. Removing a worn grip before storage stops it sticking to the handle.
How should pads, gloves and helmets be stored?
Protective gear absorbs sweat through every match and net session. Packed away dirty, it can smell, grow mould or lose its shape.
| Item | Before storage | How to store |
|---|---|---|
| Batting pads | Wipe the outer face, air the inner padding, dry fully in shade | Flat or standing upright in pairs, with straps fastened so they keep their shape |
| Batting gloves | Air both inside and out, dry in shade, never in direct heat | Loosely in a breathable bag, palms facing each other; don't crush them under weight |
| Wicket-keeping gloves | Clean and dry the palm surface fully | As for batting gloves, kept as a pair |
| Helmet | Wipe the shell, remove and wash any removable liner, dry the padding fully | On a shelf or in a box where nothing presses on the grille or shell |
| Thigh guard, arm guard, box | Wash or wipe according to the material, dry fully | Together in a labelled bag with the rest of the kit |
| Cricket shoes | Knock off mud, remove insoles, dry fully | In a cloth shoe bag, separate from clothing |
| Balls | Wipe clean and dry | In a small box so they don't roll or press against other gear |
A helmet that has taken a heavy blow may no longer protect as designed. Many makers advise replacing a helmet after a significant impact, so check this before you store and reuse it.
How do you store kit between seasons?
Many families pack cricket kit away during the hottest months, exam periods or when a player moves away for college or work. A seasonal routine helps:
- Empty the kit bag completely. Old water bottles, snacks and damp towels are common causes of smell and pests.
- Clean and dry everything. Give each item a full day or more to dry in shade before packing.
- Air out the kit bag itself. Wipe it inside and out and leave it open to dry.
- Repack in a logical order. Heavy items like pads at the bottom, gloves and helmet on top.
- Label the bag. Note the player's name, the date and what's inside.
- Plan a mid-season check. If the kit is stored through the monsoon, a quick look for damp is worthwhile.
What about other sports gear?
Most households store more than one sport's equipment. The same principles carry across: clean, dry, breathable wrapping, nothing heavy pressing on it.
- Badminton and tennis rackets: keep them in their covers, away from heat, and loosen nothing unless the maker advises it. Store shuttles in their tube so the feathers don't bend.
- Footballs and basketballs: clean, dry and slightly deflated if they'll be stored for a long time, kept in a box so they don't roll.
- Hockey sticks: treat like a bat; dry, upright or flat, never under load.
- Bicycles and gym equipment: see storing gym equipment for heavier items.
- Trekking and camping gear: see trekking gear storage.
What are common mistakes when storing sports kit?
- Packing gear straight after a match without drying it.
- Sealing leather or willow in airtight plastic.
- Leaving food, drinks or sweaty clothes in the kit bag.
- Storing bats or rackets leaning at an angle under other items.
- Putting gear directly on the floor in damp months.
- Not labelling bags when several family members play.
Damp is the main enemy of stored sports kit in Delhi NCR. Read our monsoon storage tips before the rains, and see arranging a storage unit for how to keep kit easy to reach.
What should you do with kit a child has outgrown?
Junior bats, pads and gloves are outgrown quickly. Before storing them, decide whether they're being kept for a younger sibling, passed to a cousin or club, or given away. Storing only what someone will actually use saves space and money.
- Keeping for a sibling: label the bag with the size and the year it was last used, so you know whether it will fit when the time comes.
- Passing on: clean and dry the kit before handing it over, just as you would for storage.
- Worn-out items: cracked helmets, split gloves and pads with broken straps are usually better replaced than stored.
How should you plan for long-term kit storage?
If kit will be stored for a year or more, for example while a player is studying abroad or posted to another city, plan a little further ahead.
- Write an inventory. A simple list of what's in each bag or box helps you find things later. Our storage inventory template can help.
- Use sturdy boxes or bags. Choose containers that won't collapse under the weight of other items stacked nearby.
- Keep bats and sticks together. One labelled long box or cover for all long items stops them being knocked over.
- Raise everything off the floor. Use a shelf, pallet or boards.
- Think about access. If someone may want the kit for a weekend match, keep it near the front of the unit.
- Arrange a check after the monsoon. A quick look for damp or smell lets you deal with any problem early.
Moving abroad for study? See storage when studying abroad for planning the rest of your belongings.
Why use self storage for sports equipment?
- Private, lockable rooms with 24/7 CCTV.
- Regular pest control.
- Monthly plans with no lock-in.
- Box storage priced per box for smaller kits.
Storing a home gym too? Read storing gym equipment. Facilities are in Noida, Delhi and Gurugram. Estimate space with the storage calculator, then click "Get Free Quote".
Sports equipment storage checklist
- Gear wiped clean
- Pads and gloves fully aired out
- Bat in its cover
- Rackets in covers
- Shoes cleaned and stuffed
- Kit clothing washed and bagged
- Gear grouped and labelled
- Bags off the floor
- Inventory list made
- Quote requested
Disclaimer: this article gives general guidance. Follow the maker's care instructions for bats, rackets and other equipment.
For fitness businesses, read storing spare gym equipment.
Run a cricket academy? Read storage for sports academies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wipe it clean, keep it dry and store it in a bat cover. Follow the maker’s guidance on oiling.
Damp gear can develop mould and smells in a closed space.
Yes. Box storage is priced per box.
No. Plans are monthly with no lock-in.
Partner pickup and transport are available across Delhi NCR at an additional cost.
Click Get Free Quote for a callback, or call +91-9090206090.
Sources and notes
Checked 1 Nov 2026.
- Unit features, box storage, plans and pickup: Self Storage India home page.
- Equipment care: follow each maker’s instructions.
