Every true fan has a team jersey for their favorite team. These jerseys are expensive and we want them to last as long as possible. Learn how to keep them looking great and make repairs if the lettering begins to peel away.
How to Wash and Dry a Jersey
Most jerseys are made from polyester or another synthetic fabric. These are easy to care for but jerseys have the addition of letters and numbers that must be treated with care. Take a minute to read the care label. If it says cold water, believe it. If it says do not put in dryer, don't do it! You'll be sorry.
Pretreat stains like mustard, ketchup and beer before putting the jersey in the washer. For best results, wash the jersey as soon as possible before stains are set and harder to remove. Turn your jersey inside out before adding it to the washer. This will protect the numbers and lettering from abrasion and will make them last longer. Use the recommended water temperature or cold water. Hot water can cause fading, shrinking and letter damage.
After removing from the washer, turn the jersey right side out. This will prevent the lettering from sticking together. For best results, do not put your jersey in the dryer. Again, the high heat is too much for your jersey and you may end up with cracked letters or worse, letters stuck together. Dry your jersey flat or hang to air dry.
Avoid ironing because, again, the high temperature is a burned hole maker or letter melter. If you absolutely must iron, use a press cloth and low temperature.
Repairs for Peeling Letters and Numbers
You've done your best but now the letters on your jersey are curling up and peeling away. What to do?
Make sure that the jersey is clean so that you won't accidentally set stains. Place the jersey on an ironing board with the peeling number face up. Set you iron on high with no steam (yes, this is the time to use high heat). Position the number the way it should be and cover with the peeled section with the edge of a sheet of white paper (notebook or copy paper).
Use just the edge of your iron - never the entire flat bottom surface - and over the white paper press just the edge of the curling letter. Begin slowly, with a very short pressing time. Just tap the edge of the iron and the edge of the paper covered letter for a few seconds. Gradually increase the time until you see the letters are sticking again to the fabric. Never allow the iron to actually touch the plastic or you'll have a melted mess on your iron and jersey. Leave the jersey flat on the ironing board until it is completely cool.
If you have accidentally put your jersey in the dryer on high heat (as one reader did) and the letters have melted together, follow these instructions to attempt to separate the letters and restore them as much as possible.
Specific questions? Just ask here.
