Playing football can be a muddy, grassy, and sweaty endeavor. As a result, football uniforms inevitably get dirty and require proper cleaning and care to prolong their life. With the right techniques, you can keep your football uniforms looking and smelling fresh. This extensive guide will teach you how to clean and care for football uniforms correctly.
Supplies Needed
- Laundry detergent (mild, enzyme-based is best for sweat and grass stains)
- Stain remover stick or spray
- Color-safe bleach
- Fabric softener
- Mesh laundry bags (for delicates)
- Garment brush (for stuck-on dirt)
- Clothesline and clothespins (for air drying)
Pre-Treating Stains
Before washing, inspect the uniforms and pre-treat any problem areas. Grass, mud, and blood stains are common on football uniforms.
Tackle set-in stains by rubbing a stain remover stick directly on the spot. Or apply a stain remover spray and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This helps lift the stain from the fabric before washing.
For extra stubborn stains, try rubbing the area with a soft bristle garment brush. Avoid harsh scrubbing that could damage the fabric. The agitation helps dislodge dirt and mud.
Washing Football Uniforms
Always check the care label on your uniforms for the manufacturer’s washing instructions. In general, the following guidelines will help you safely wash football uniforms.
Separate Lights and Darks
Sort uniforms into lights and darks before washing. Wash white or light colored uniforms separately from darker colored ones. This prevents dingy gray discoloration that can occur when washing lights and darks together.
Mesh Laundry Bags
Place uniforms in mesh laundry bags before washing, especially delicatescreen printed or sublimated jerseys. This protects the numbers, logos, and names from peeling or fraying in the washing machine. Zip the bags fully closed.
Machine Wash Warm
Wash the uniforms in warm water using a mild, high efficiency (HE) detergent. Enzyme-based detergents work well to break down sweat and grass stains.
Avoid washing in hot water, which can cause fading or shrinking. However, very soiled or smelly uniforms may need a periodic hot water wash to fully sanitize them.
Extra Rinse Cycle
After washing, run an extra rinse cycle to remove all traces of detergent. Leftover detergent residue on the uniforms can cause skin irritation. The extra rinse also ensures all dirt and stains get fully flushed out.
Line Dry
Tumble drying can damage embellishments or cause shrinkage. It’s best to line dry football uniforms if possible. Hang them outdoors on a clothesline or lay them flat to dry.
If you must use a dryer, opt for an air dry cycle with no heat. And use dryer balls to prevent tangling.
Fabric Softener
During the rinse cycle, add a small amount of liquid fabric softener. Or use dryer sheets if tumble drying. This leaves the uniforms feeling soft and helps control static cling.
Stain Removal Tips
Even with pre-treating, stains can still happen. Here are some handy tips for removing common football uniform stains:
Grass Stains
- Pre-treat with stain remover spray or stick.
- Sprinkle stain with baking soda and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Launder as usual with detergent and color safe bleach.
- For stubborn stains, try lemon juice or white vinegar.
Mud Stains
- Let the mud dry fully then brush off excess dirt with a garment brush.
- Soak in cool water for 15 minutes to loosen mud.
- Pre-treat with stain remover then wash as normal.
Sweat Stains
- Apply lemon juice and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Rub a tide pen or bar soap on the stains.
- Wash with an enzyme-based detergent.
Blood Stains
- Rinse immediately in cold water to prevent setting.
- Rub area with hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.
- Wash in cool water with an enzyme detergent.
Special Care Tips
Follow these additional care instructions to keep football uniforms looking their best:
- Inspect uniforms after each use for new stains or damage. Pretreat stains immediately to prevent setting.
- Turn uniforms inside out before washing to protect screen printed logos and numbers.
- Air dry uniforms in the shade to prevent fading from sun exposure.
- Wash and treat white uniform pants separately to prevent graying or discoloration.
- Hand wash delicate or embellished uniforms if possible. Or use mesh bags on gentle cycle.
- Spot clean uniforms between full washes if heavily soiled or smelly.
- Check elastic bands and Velcro closures after washes. Replace if stretched out or damaged.
- Repair loose buttons, torn seams, or damaged snaps promptly. Don’t wear damaged uniforms.
- Rotate multiple sets of uniforms. Don’t wear the same one multiple days in a row.
- Sanitize shoulder pads and protective gear regularly to prevent odor buildup.
Storing Football Uniforms
Properly storing uniforms between games and practices will keep them in good condition. Follow these tips for storage:
Hang Dry Uniforms
Before storage, ensure uniforms are fully dry, either line dried or tumble dried on low heat. Storing damp uniforms can lead to mold buildup.
Good Air Circulation
Allow space between hanging uniforms for air to circulate. This prevents a musty smell from developing.
Clean Storage Area
Keep the storage area clean and dry. Damp basements or garages can cause mold growth.
Cedar or Mothballs
Place cedar blocks or mothballs with stored uniforms. This deters insects or pests that can damage natural fabrics.
Off the Floor
Store uniforms off the floor, either hung up or folded on shelves. This keeps them safe from dirt, moisture, and pests.
Loose Folding
Avoid overly tight folding that can crease the numbers and logos. Instead fold loosely before placing in drawers or on shelves.
Off-Season Storage
During the off-season, consider having uniforms professionally cleaned before the longest period of storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about football uniform care? Here are answers to some common FAQs:
How often should you wash football uniforms?
Ideally, wash uniforms after every use. Sweat and dirt builds up quickly. For lightly worn uniforms, wash them at least once a week. Heavily soiled uniforms may need washing after every wearing.
Should football uniforms be washed in hot or cold water?
Wash in warm water ideally. Hot water can cause fading while cold water may not remove heavy soil sufficiently. However, occasional hot water washes may be needed for very dirty or smelly uniforms.
What temperature should you dry football uniforms?
It’s safest to air dry or line dry uniforms to prevent heat damage. If machine drying, use the lowest heat setting or no heat air fluff cycle. Over-drying causes uniforms to shrink.
How do you whiten dingy football uniforms?
Dingy whites can be brightened up by adding non-chlorine bleach like hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate to the wash cycle. For bad yellowing, try soaking in an oxygen bleach solution before washing.
How do you get the smell out of football uniforms?
For serious odor issues, soak uniforms in an enzymatic cleaner solution or baking soda and water bath first. Then wash with hot water and an enzyme-based detergent. For musty smells, add white vinegar during the rinse cycle.
How do you keep numbers and logos from peeling off uniforms?
Turn uniforms inside out before washing and use mesh garment bags to protect delicate numbering. Line dry instead of machine drying to prevent damage from heat. Avoid overly hot water when washing as well.
Conclusion
Caring for football uniforms properly doesn’t have to be a huge chore. By pre-treating stains, washing gently but thoroughly, and taking steps to protect logos and numbers, you can keep uniforms looking great all season long. Drying carefully and storing uniforms cleanly are also key. Follow these best practices for football uniform care and your team will look sharp out on the field!