Jersey Care Guide
A jersey should outlast the season it was bought in. Names, numbers, and crests are heat-applied, meaning they respond critically to excessive heat and friction — every guideline below follows from that one athletic principle. Five minutes of thoughtful care ensures your kit looks matchday-ready in year three.
The Three Rules
If you remember nothing else, keep these three essentials in mind.
Cold Water
High water temperatures damage athletic heat-pressed vinyl — not the gentle wash itself.
Turn Inside Out
Inverting the garment shields printed squad names, numbers, and sponsor badges from machine friction.
Air Dry Only
Never subject jerseys to a tumble dryer. Natural ambient hanging is the entire secret to longevity.
Washing, Step by Step
Machine washing is perfectly safe. It is extreme heat and commercial dryers that cause damage.
Turn It Inside Out
Before anything else. This simple action cushions heat-applied player lettering, numbers, and sleeve patches from abrasive machine drum contact.
Wash Cold, 30°C / 86°F
Select a gentle cycle with mild liquid detergent. Cold water preserves vibrant dye saturation and stops adhesive bonding layers from peeling.
Wash With Similar Colours
Always isolate darks and whites. Authentic match fabrics can release minor pigment residues during their initial laundering cycles.
Skip the Fabric Softener
Conditioners coat performance microfibers, clogging breathable sweat-wicking pores. A splash of white vinegar in the rinse tray neutralizes odors naturally.
Dry It Flat, in the Shade
Tumble dryers quickly warp and bubble synthetic numbers. Smooth out the jersey while slightly damp and hang to dry away from intense direct UV rays.
What Not to Do
Avoid these common laundry mistakes to preserve technical fabrics and lettering.
Do not tumble dry — intense dryer heat softens glue bonds and causes heat-press numbers to wrinkle.
Do not iron directly over player names, squad numbers, club crests, or sponsor lettering.
Do not use bleach or aggressive chemical stain removers containing active chlorine.
Do not dry clean — harsh commercial solvents dissolve technical bond seams and embroidered backings.
Do not wring or twist wet fabric to extract moisture; press gently between clean dry towels instead.
Do not leave bunched up while damp in gym bags, laundry hampers, or underneath direct sunlight.
Stain Guide
Pre-treat match stains immediately before fabric encounters washing water or residual warmth.
| Stain Type | Recommended Treatment Method |
|---|---|
| Grass | Dab gently with a modest drop of liquid detergent and cold water prior to washing. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes to break down chlorophyll enzymes. |
| Mud | Allow mud to dry entirely, brush away loose dried surface dirt with a soft brush, then wash cold. Wiping wet mud forces sediment deeper into knit meshes. |
| Sweat & Odour | Pre-soak in cold water enriched with a scoop of baking soda for 30 minutes, then machine wash normally with mild detergent. |
| Food & Drink | Blot gently — never rub — using cold water and mild dishwashing liquid, then launder immediately on a cold delicate cycle. |
| Ink or Marker | Dab conservatively with isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab, working from the outside of the mark inward. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. |
| Blood | Rinse immediately in strictly cold water. Warm water cooks proteins and permanently binds the stain. Soak cold, then wash on delicate. |
Ironing, Storing & Personalised Kits
Clear answers regarding post-wash care and preserving personalized prints.
Can I iron my jersey?
Yes, but exclusively on the reverse side using the lowest synthetic setting, and never glide across a printed name, squad number, or sponsor crest. Lay a damp press cloth between the iron and fabric for safety. A handheld garment steamer held 15 cm away is the preferred solution.
How should I store my jersey collection?
Hang on contoured or padded broad hangers so the tailored shoulder yoke retains its shape. For travel or drawer storage, fold gently around printed graphics rather than creasing directly over rubberized decals.
Does the lettering print crack over time?
All performance heat-transfer vinyls undergo gradual mechanical wear. However, rigorous adherence to cold water washing, zero tumble drying, and shade air-drying maintains razor-sharp lettering for years rather than months.
Can I wash a jersey with custom names and numbers on the back?
Absolutely. Inside out, cold cycle (30°C / 86°F), mild detergent, and line dry. This is precisely the maintenance standard customized kits are engineered to withstand.
What about long-sleeve jerseys and training tops?
Identical protocols apply. Performance training tops rely on elastic elastane blends; omitting fabric softeners is critical to prevent silicone seal breakdown and pore blockage.
Looking After a Personalised Jersey?
Custom player lettering and retro numbering require dedicated attention. Reach out to our garment support team with any specific kit questions.
Contact Sizing & Care Desk