How to wash and dry a jersey

Jerseys can be a magnet for grass, dirt, sweat and even blood when athletes go head-to-head. Tackle tough stains before you wash a jersey by first blotting (not rubbing) the area to remove any excess residue. Then, dampen the area with cold water and apply stain remover or a gentle detergent. Gently scrub it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and squeeze out the moisture before placing it in the washer.

If stain remover is in short supply, vinegar can work wonders to remove sweat or grass stains. Create a mixture of one cup of vinegar for every gallon of water, then soak your jersey in the mixture for twenty minutes. Rinse it thoroughly and gently squeeze out excess moisture before washing.

Turning your jersey inside out makes it easier to wash out sweat, oils and stains while protecting the stitching, lettering and patches. Before washing, don’t forget to remove any laces (like the ones on hockey jerseys) or unbutton buttons (like those on baseball jerseys) to help prevent tangling or damage.

A cold water wash cycle can help you avoid shrinkage and help protect delicate lettering and decals. Use a color-safe detergent and your washer’s delicates cycle for a thorough but gentle cleaning. Fabric softener can interfere with some sports fabric’s ability to absorb or wick away moisture, so it’s best to skip the additive. If your washer doesn’t have a delicates cycle, adjust the settings to a cold water cycle with a low spin speed.

It may not happen right away, but machine drying your jersey can cause the adhesive lettering to peel or crack over time. Instead, skip the dryer and air dry your jersey on a hanger or drying rack.

Now that you’ve learned how to wash a football jersey, it’s time to freshen up the pads below it. Some pads are more washable than others. Shoulder pads, for instance, are usually harder to access. So make sure you air football shoulder pads out after every practice and game to help keep them smelling as fresh as possible. Letting them stay damp in your car, gym bag or locker can quickly turn them into a breeding ground for bacteria. 

To clean football shoulder pads, just wipe off any dirt with a damp microfiber cloth and thoroughly spray them with a specialized athletic gear disinfectant or deodorizing spray. You can typically remove the pads in football pants and clean them in your washing machine, just be sure to put them in a mesh bag to help prevent damage. 

Both baseball and football pants often have removable pads that you can wash right along with the pants, but check your care labels to be sure. Pre-treat any stains, then wash the pants on a cold cycle, unless the care tag says otherwise, and dry them on low heat. Using sports-specific detergent may give your wash cycle the boost it needs to help eliminate odors from synthetic materials.

For tough grass or dirt stains, mix one cup of water, one cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of baking soda. Pour the mixture over the stained areas in a small container or sink and let it soak for 30 minutes. If stains are still sticking around, make a paste with vinegar and baking soda, then use a toothbrush to scrub the spots before rinsing them out and tossing the pants in the washer.