A football shirt with your own name and number lasts for years, if you wash it properly. Yet we often see the printing peel sooner than it should, purely because of the wash. A few simple habits keep both the fabric and the printing looking new. Here is the complete care guide.
- In short: wash at 30°C on a delicate or sports cycle
- Turn the shirt inside out first
- Do not use fabric softener
- Never tumble dry, let it air dry
- Never iron directly on the name or number
What temperature should you wash a football shirt at?
Wash your football shirt at a maximum of 30°C, on a delicate or sports cycle with a low spin speed. Modern shirts are made from technical moisture-wicking polyester, and that material does not need a high temperature to get clean. Hot water actually damages the fibres and the printing. Washing cool is not only cheaper, it is better for your shirt.
Always wash your shirt inside out
Turn the shirt inside out before it goes into the machine. That way the printing does not rub against the drum and other clothing, which is exactly what the name, number and logos suffer from most. Close the zips and Velcro on your other laundry, as those pull threads out of the fabric.
Can you use fabric softener?
No. Fabric softener leaves a thin film on the fibres that blocks the moisture-wicking of sports fabric, so your shirt breathes less well. It can also attack the edges of the printing. Use a small amount of liquid delicate detergent without bleach, that is more than enough to freshen a shirt.
Can a football shirt go in the dryer?
Better not. The heat of a tumble dryer makes the printing crack and peel sooner, and can shrink the shirt. After washing, hang the shirt on a hanger or lay it flat to dry, out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. Technical polyester is usually dry again within a few hours.
Ironing? Carefully, and never on the printing
Often ironing is not even necessary: hang the shirt up smoothed out and most creases drop out by themselves. If you do need to iron, do it inside out, on a low temperature and never directly on the name, the number or the logo. If needed, place a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric.
How long should you wait to wash a freshly printed shirt?
A fresh print needs to set first. Wait at least 24 hours after pressing before you wash the shirt for the first time, so the printing has fully cured. Would you rather wear a new shirt straight away? That is perfectly fine, just wait to wash it until after the first wear.
Wash cool, inside out and air dry: three habits that keep your shirt looking good for years longer.
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