How to Care for Your Custom Jerseys

Sublimated jerseys are easy to look after: the design is dyed into the fabric, so it won't crack or peel. A few simple habits keep the fabric, colours and fit in good shape for many seasons.

Right after the game

Sweat and dirt set into fabric the longer they sit, so deal with jerseys soon after the game.

• Take jerseys out of the hockey bag as soon as you can. A damp, bunched-up jersey is where odour starts.
• If you can't wash right away, hang jerseys somewhere with air flow so they dry out.
• Rinse or pre-treat visible stains before they dry. Fresh stains come out far more easily than set ones.
• Blot wet stains; don't rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and works it deeper into the fibres.

Washing

• Turn jerseys inside out. This protects the outer surface, names, numbers and logos from rubbing against other clothes and the drum.
• Wash in cold water (30°C or below). Cold water cleans sweat and dirt well and is easier on the fabric's stretch.
• Use a mild, colour-safe detergent. Enzyme-based sports detergents are good at breaking down sweat and other protein stains.
• Choose a gentle or delicate cycle to cut down on agitation.
• Wash team colours together, and keep jerseys apart from rough items like towels, Velcro and gear with hooks that can snag the fabric.
• Don't overload the machine. Jerseys need room to rinse clean, and leftover detergent can leave fabric stiff and reduce moisture-wicking.

Drying

Hang jerseys to dry. It's the gentlest option and keeps the shape and fit. Use a wide or padded hanger so the shoulders don't stretch, and reshape the jersey while it's damp.

Dry jerseys out of direct sunlight. Long exposure to strong sun can fade even well-dyed colours over time. Skip the dryer: heat wears out the fabric and its stretch.

What to avoid

• Bleach, including bleach-based stain removers. It damages the fabric and changes colours.
• Fabric softener and dryer sheets. They coat the fibres and stop the fabric wicking sweat. A splash of white vinegar in the rinse removes detergent residue and softens fabric without the coating.
• Ironing the print. If you must iron, use low heat on the inside, or put a cloth between the iron and any printed area.
• Dry cleaning. It isn't needed and the chemicals can affect technical fabric.

Stain removal

Treat stains before washing, and check a stain is gone before the jersey dries. Heat from drying or ironing can set a stain for good. Test any new product on an inside seam first.

• Grass: work an enzyme stain remover or a paste of enzyme detergent and cold water into the stain and leave it for about 30 minutes before washing. For a stubborn mark, dab on a little rubbing alcohol after testing it on a hidden spot, then rinse and wash.
• Blood: rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water only. Warm or hot water sets blood. Then soak in cold water with enzyme detergent before washing. Repeat if any mark is left.
• Mud: let it dry completely, then brush off as much as you can with a stiff brush. Wet mud spreads further into the fabric. Work liquid detergent into what's left, rinse, and wash. White vinegar can help with clay-heavy mud.
• Sweat and odour: soak jerseys for 30 minutes in cold water with about a cup of white vinegar, then wash as normal with an enzyme detergent. For yellowed underarms or deodorant buildup, apply a paste of baking soda and water, leave it for up to an hour, then wash.

If a stain survives the wash, don't dry the jersey with heat. Treat it again and rewash. A long soak in cold water with enzyme detergent, even overnight, often lifts stains that a single wash didn't.

Storing jerseys

During the season, keep clean jerseys in a cool, dry place. Breathable garment bags are better than plastic, which traps moisture.

Before putting jerseys away for the off-season, wash them thoroughly. Leftover sweat or a faint stain can set over months in storage. Hang them or lay them flat, and avoid folding across printed areas to prevent hard creases.

A routine for the whole team

If one person washes the whole set, give them these steps in writing and keep the right detergent in the team bag. If players wash their own, send the same steps to every family at the start of the season.

Check jerseys every few weeks for loose seams or small snags. Small problems are easier to deal with early. If something looks like a defect when your jerseys arrive, report it within 7 days.