How to Clean and Care for Football Uniforms

Instructions

1. Rinse the Uniform

   Rinse the uniform in a utility sink with cold water after every game to remove loose dirt and mud. If you don’t have a utility sink, hang the uniform outdoors on a clothesline and spray it down with a hose.

2. Presoak the Uniform

   Fill a large sink, bucket, or plastic storage tub with warm (not hot) water. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of heavy-duty laundry detergent and 1 cup of baking soda. Allow the uniform to soak for at least one hour or overnight. The detergent starts working on stains, and the baking soda reduces the odors.

3. Pretreat Stains

   Spray remaining stains—like mud and grass stains—with an oxygen-based cleaner (like OxiClean) and brush the fabric with a soft-bristled brush. Allow the detergent to work for at least 15 minutes before washing as usual. In the case of red clay mud, make a paste out of granular oxygen bleach and a few drops of water. Apply the paste to the stain, and then let it sit for at least 30 minutes before washing.

4. Disinfect the Pads

   Separate each of the shoulder pad's plastic shells from the fabric, and then wipe them down with water and a soft cloth. Spray the pads with an enzyme-based stain cleaner, like Hex Performance Gear Wash, to kill bacteria and remove odors. Follow the product directions for handwashing, or place the pads in a mesh laundry bag, before adding them to the washing machine.

5. Load the Washer

   Turn your football jersey inside out to protect the lettering and emblems, and then add it to the washing machine with the pants. Don't add any other clothing items to the washer. (Lint from cotton or cotton-blend clothing can cling to the jersey's letters and numbers.) Set the washing machine to the normal cycle using cold or warm water.

6. Add Detergent and Odor Control

   Add a heavy-duty laundry detergent, like Tide or Persil, to the washing machine. These detergents contain active enzymes that cut through heavy soil, lifting it from the fabric.

   Also, add 1 cup of baking soda to the washer drum for odor control. Then, add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle to remove any excess detergent that can leave colors looking dingy.

7. Air-Dry the Uniform and Pads

   Hang the uniform to dry on a clothesline, or a drying rack, away from direct sunlight. (Machine drying can ruin a football uniform by setting stains, fading colors, and destroying screen-printed letters and numbers.)

   If you absolutely must put your football uniform in the dryer, tumble dry using low heat on the permanent press cycle. Protective pads should always be hung to air-dry.

Treating Stains on Football Uniforms

Stains, other than mud or grass, can be treated similarly. Use cold water to dampen the stain. Apply an oxygen- or enzyme-based stain remover, and then gently rub the stain with a soft-bristled brush. Wait 15 minutes, and then wash as usual.

You can also brighten white football pants with a laundry whitener like OUT White Brite. Pour a 1/2 cup of detergent into 1 gallon of water, and then let the pants sit in the solution for about an hour. Swish it around a few times, rinse the pants, and then wash as usual.

Football Uniform Care and Repairs

It's common for numbers and letters to peel off of football jerseys, especially when the uniforms are hand-me-downs, or the material quality is poor. Repair peeling decals by first backing the number or letter with a piece of cardboard. Next, place a pressing cloth over the top of the number or letter. Use an iron set on high heat, with the steam turned off, and quickly apply the tip of the iron to the edges of the decal with the pressing cloth in between. (Never allow the iron to directly touch the jersey fabric.) Gradually increase the contact time until you see the decal adhering to the fabric.

Storing Football Uniforms

Don't let the end-of-the-season excitement get the best of you, and absentmindedly toss your dirty uniform into the closet. Football uniforms should always be cleaned before storing, or bacteria will grow, ruining the uniform for the next season. Pads can be hung on hangers and stored in a cool, dry closet. Football uniforms can either be hung or folded and stored in the same fashion. Uniforms stored in sealable plastic bins will be protected from off-season damp conditions.

How Often to Wash Football Uniforms

Train your athlete to give you his uniform as soon as he walks in the door after practice or a game. Just about every sports uniform ends up dirty and stinky after each use. So, the faster it can get in the wash, the better the chance you’ll have of eliminating stains and odors.

Tips for Washing Football Uniforms

• Add water softener (not fabric softener) to your presoak solution if you have hard water. This will prevent your uniform from feeling stiff from hard water deposits, once dry.
• Don't use fabric softener on a football uniform, as it can lessen the fabric's moisture-wicking capabilities.
• Avoid chlorine bleach, even on white fabrics, as it can damage synthetic polyesters and yellow them. Instead, use an oxygen-based bleach or an all-fabric bleach, which will brighten dulled whites, instead.
• Use separate presoaking tubs for colors and whites.