story
small town roots, big
ideas for sports hygiene.
zoli’s kleaners is rooted in family, hockey, and hard work.
our story begins in 1956, when Zoltan Kovacs Sr. immigrated to Canada from Hungary and settled in Sault Ste. Marie. He built his own cleaning company, Daylite Cleaning Services, from the ground up — laying the foundation for what it means to build something with pride and integrity.
After years spent playing hockey and eventually returning home to the sault, it became clear there was a major gap in sports equipment hygiene. the "hockey smell" had long been accepted as part of the culture- along with the bacteria build up and health risks that come with it. zolis kleaners was created to challenge that mindset and make professional level equipment cleaning accessible to every athlete. the name itself pays tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit that started it al
small town roots, big
ideas for sports hygiene.
ZOLI'S mission
the pros all have their own dressing rooms. everyone else has a basement (or garage or mud room or laundry room etc..)
zolis kleaners strives to bring professional level cleaning services to real world hockey families.
Create a cleaner, healthier environment for all athletes
Protect the gear families invest in and players depend on
Make professional level cleaning service accessible beyond the pro ranks
meet the founder
Bronson Kovacs has been involved in hockey for as long as he can remember.
From backyard rinks to organized minor hockey, junior, college, and professional levels, the game took him across Canada, the United States, and eventually Europe. No matter where hockey led him, one thing always followed—the hockey smell.
Look a little closer and realize that smell isn’t just unpleasant—it’s bacteria and viruses living deep inside the equipment. Over time, repeated exposure to unclean equipment can contribute to skin infections, respiratory issues, and other health risks, especially for young athletes who are still developing. For decades, this was simply accepted as part of the game.
Zoli’s Kleaners was built by someone who wore that same smelly gear
It took 32 years—and buying his own house—to fully realize how bad it had become, prompting a phone call home to apologize for years of ruining the laundry room. That firsthand experience is what drives Zoli’s Kleaners today: changing a long-standing hockey culture and bringing professional-level equipment hygiene to every athlete.
You’re trusting your equipment with someone who truly gets it.
community comes first
We are proud to be a small, locally operated business in Sault Ste. Marie. Zoli’s Kleaners actively supports youth sports and partners with local organizations
Supporting local athletes and promoting positive values is at the heart of everything we do.
Soo Pee Wee Hockey
League.
Sault Female Hockey
Association.
klean cup
The Klean Cup is an annual award presented by Zoli’s Kleaners to recognize the team
that best represents what we believe makes hockey better:
RESPECT
DISCIPLINE
ACCOUNTABILITY
A Klean Team plays hard, competes honestly, and respects:
OPPONENTS
OFFICIALS
TEAMMATES
THE GAME ITSELF
This award is not about wins or championships — it’s about how the game is played. Why Penalty Minutes Matter Fewer penalty minutes often reflect:
Strong Coaching
DICIPLNE
TEAMWORK
EMOTIONAL CONTROL
Each Klean Cup winner receives:
🏆 The Klean Cup Trophy, presented at the year-end banquet
🍕 A team pizza party at Aurora’s Westside
