A sports jersey is much more than just fabric and thread. High-performance gear typically doesn't come cheap, and an entire outfit like soccer goalie equipment can be quite an investment.

Cracking numbers and peeling team badges are almost always due to improper washing rather than prolonged use. Caring for them starts with the detergent you use in the washing machine and extends to how you dry and store these clothes.

But with only a few simple soccer jersey care steps, you can dramatically extend your jersey's lifespan and keep it looking, smelling, and performing like new.

Before You Start: Read the Care Label

With most clothes, you can usually sort by material and color and toss them in the machine with a generic laundry detergent. But the small care label sewn inside with washing instructions is more important than ever when dealing with specialized clothing items like a goalkeeper jersey.

Understand the Type of Jersey You Own

Authentic jerseys are the real deal. They're the same shirts worn by professional players during matches, featuring high-grade materials and heat-pressed or even sewn-in crests. However, this delicate construction demands careful machine washing or even full hand washing.

Replica jerseys look like authentic gear from afar, though they use more durable materials and industrialized construction methods. These typically handle machine washing better, but you might be instructed to lower the temperature or cycling speed.

Training jerseys are built with regular, thorough use in mind, which applies to frequent washing. The fabric is sturdier (typically from polyester fibers), but you still need to exercise a bit of care to maintain its athletic wear capabilities, like moisture-wicking.

If you're not quite sure which category your jersey belongs to (and that is quite common with high-grade goalkeeper protective gear), gentler is better, even if it does take a bit more time.

Step-by-Step: How to Wash a Soccer Jersey

Step 1: Turn the Jersey Inside Out

Turning jerseys inside out protects the numbers, patches, logos, sponsor graphics, or screen prints from rubbing against other clothing or the washing machine's metal drum during spin cycles.

It also helps remove accumulated sweat, oils, and odor-causing bacteria from the inside fabric, which has more skin contact during gameplay.

Step 2: Pretreat Stains if Needed

Soccer jerseys get grass stains, mud, and dirt splotches on them during a simple training session, let alone a full match. Use a soft brush with some soapy water (or mild detergent) and rub it into the stain to break it up and make it easier to wash out.

If a stain persists, create a mild solution using one part white vinegar to three parts warm water. Spray and brush this mixture directly into the stained area and let it sit for about 10 minutes before washing. Harsh stain removers and bleach can break down fabrics and cause permanent discoloration, so avoid them.

After each match, try to pretreat stains or keep them wet. Once you let the fabric dry, the stain gets set and won't come out easily or at all.

Step 3: Choose the Right Wash Settings

For machine washing, use a gentle or delicate cycle to minimize the mechanical stress on the fabric. Use a cold water cycle to avoid shrinking the fabric or fading colors.

Choose a gentler laundry detergent or one specifically made for the type of fabric that your sports jersey is made from.

Whatever you do, never add fabric softener or use bleach. Fabric softeners coat the fibers with a waxy substance that feels good to the touch, but it clogs the moisture-wicking capillaries, completely blocking them from doing one of the key jobs they're designed for.

Step 4: Wash Jerseys Separately

Zippers, buttons, and rough textures on other clothes can rub and snag on jerseys and scratch heat-pressed elements. Use a mesh laundry bag to separate the jerseys and turn all clothes inside out to minimize friction.

Separate jerseys by color or at least general tone (dark, colored, white) to prevent color bleeding, especially when washing new ones for the first time.

Can You Machine Wash All Soccer Jerseys?

When It's Safe

Replica jerseys and training sports clothing are typically made from hardy polyester fabric, which is usually machine-washable. For goalkeeper or other padded outfits, refer to the care guide for the padding or inserts.

When to Hand Wash

Authentic match jerseys, limited-edition kits like vintage and commemorative shirts, and jerseys with intricate heat-pressed or sewn-on details are likely going to need hand washing to preserve the materials.

High-performance training soccer uniforms, such as those from Storelli, are also better off being hand-washed, as this ensures the fabrics stay intact and gives you more control over the process.

Air Drying: The Most Important Step

Even if you forgo washing instructions, the one thing you always need to remember is to never put soccer jerseys in the dryer.

Why You Should Avoid the Dryer

Heat destroys synthetic fabrics, shrinks them, and permanently damages details like team names, numbers, or logos. Even low heat settings can slowly break down adhesives that bind the details to the garment.

The added heat can also distort moisture-wicking fabric, preventing it from channeling moisture from the inside to the outside.

Best Practices for Air Drying

Hang drying jerseys on plastic or padded hangers will prevent shoulder dimples and maintain a jersey's original shape, which also reduces wrinkling (important because most sports jerseys shouldn't be ironed, either). Use a well-ventilated area but avoid direct sunlight, as UV rays fade colors and thin out fabric.

If you want to remove excess water from a jersey, put it between two towels and gently press it out.

For jerseys with heavy graphics or padding, lay them flat on a clean towel to dry. This prevents the jersey's own wet weight from stretching the fabric.

What Products to Use (And Avoid)

Best Detergents for Jerseys

Choose enzyme-free, sports-specific, gentle detergents designed for synthetic fabrics. These formulations often work well in cold water, too, without destroying fabric. Liquid detergents work better than powders since the latter can leave residue.

Performance apparel like padded gear and Storelli equipment benefits from pH-neutral, cold-water detergents to keep the material intact.

What to Avoid

Bleach is caustic, so it breaks down synthetic fibers and color molecules. Even color-safe bleaches can weaken jersey materials over time.

Fabric softeners coat moisture-wicking fibers, preventing them from moving sweat away from the body. This defeats the entire purpose of performance fabrics.

Optical brighteners in regular detergents can cause synthetic fabrics to yellow over time and may react poorly with jersey dyes.

Harsh stain removers should be tested on small, innocuous patches first. Some jerseys come with a testing patch you can use to determine how they behave when washed.

Bonus: How to Remove Odors and Tough Stains

Natural Methods

Adding one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle can remove some stains and odor-creating bacteria. Alternatively, soak jerseys for 30 minutes in a 50/50 water-vinegar mixture to pretreat them for washing.

Baking soda can neutralize odors. You can sprinkle it on stains or sweaty areas, blot it in with some water, and let the washing machine do the rest.

Oxygen-based cleaners like OxiClean can be added to the wash cycle for tough stains, as they increase surface agitation to remove them but usually get rinsed out. However, test them out on a smaller patch or a single stain first.

Tips for White Jerseys

Use a pre-wash soak using two tablespoons of baking soda (or specialty baking sodas for clothes) and one cup of white vinegar in cool water. Leave the jersey to soak for up to half an hour before washing.

For stubborn yellowing, try soaking in a solution of oxygen bleach and cool water. Don't use chlorine bleach as it can permanently yellow fabrics.

Storage & Off-Season Jersey Care

Fold, Don't Hang for Long-Term Storage

Long-term hanging can create shoulder dimples and stretch jerseys out of shape. Fold jerseys carefully and store them flat during the off-season. Use soft, acid-free tissue paper between jerseys to prevent color bleed.

Use Cool, Dry Storage Areas

Store jerseys in cool, dry locations to make them last longer. Avoid garages, hot closets, or basements, which can experience heat and moisture fluctuations.

For elite performance jerseys and specialized goalkeeper gloves or shin guard sleeves from Storelli, use breathable garment bags or dedicated storage containers.

A Simple Routine for Long-Lasting Gear

The best way to care for soccer gear is to clean it as soon as possible. That means presoaking and washing them after every game, then hanging them to dry (when possible) and storing them properly between matches.

When you invest in high-performance soccer gear from Storelli, these simple care tips ensure your valuable equipment stays ready for match day.

FAQs

Can I put my soccer jersey in the dryer?

Never put soccer jerseys in the dryer, even on low heat settings. It can damage the fibers, shrink the jersey, or cause badges to peel off. Air dry jerseys in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.

What detergent should I use to wash soccer jerseys?

Use enzyme-free, sports-specific detergents designed for synthetic fabrics, or gentle liquid detergents that work effectively in cold water. Avoid regular detergents with brightening agents, fabric softeners, or harsh chemicals like bleaches.

Is it better to hand wash or machine wash a soccer jersey?

Authentic and limited-edition jerseys should be hand-washed, while replica and training jerseys can typically handle gentle machine washing. For best results, refer to the care guide label stitched into the garment itself.

How do I remove stains or odors from a soccer jersey?

Pretreat stains immediately with a mild vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water) and brush it into the stain. For odors, rub baking soda onto the affected area or put it inside the washing machine.