Parent & Player Resources

Uniform Washing and Drying Instructions

  1. Know Your Material Almost every football uniform is made from heavy weight stretchable polyester knit or mesh. The fabric is durable, has stretch for ease of movement, and is actually easier to care for than cotton.
  2. Presoaking is essential in getting your uniform clean. After the game, rinse off the uniform in a utility sink to remove as much loose dirt and mud as possible. If you don’t have a utility sink, hang the uniform over a clothesline and spray it down with a hose. Next, fill a large sink or bucket with warm – not hot – water. Add a capful of heavy-duty laundry detergent and one cup of baking soda; then soak the uniform for at least one hour. It is even better if it can soak overnight. It is important to know if the water in your area is hard or soft. Hard water contains an excess of minerals that make detergents much less effective in removing soil. If you have hard water, your uniform will be harder to clean and you will need to add some water conditioner to your pre soak bucket. This is not fabric softener; it is an additive that helps your detergent work better.
  3. No Steroids – No Chlorine Bleach Chlorine Bleach has many appropriate uses, just like steroids, but not in football. It may be tempting to use chlorine bleach on white or even gray uniforms but it is not effective for polyester fabrics and can even damage the material. Instead, use an oxygen or all-fabric bleach to brighten and whiten. Again, allow the uniform to soak for at least one hour to get the best results.
  4. Wash Alone Football may be a team sport but the uniform should travel alone through the washing machine. Do not wash the uniform with other clothes. Most clothes contain cotton or a cotton blend. The lint will come off and cling to the jersey’s letters and numbers. After the uniform has pre-soaked, fill the washer with cool water and detergent and launder as usual. Never use hot water. Even if the uniform is white, the lettering and numbers are colored and will fade.
  5. Forget The Heat Never put a sports uniform in the dryer. High heat causes shrinking, sets in stains, and fades colors. Hang the uniform to air dry away from direct sunlight. 6. Blood, Sweat, and Grass Stains Use cold water. Hot water will only set the stains and make them nearly impossible to remove. The pre-soaking techniques will usually take care of stains. Inspect the uniform before you put it into the wash and treat any remaining stains with a pre-treater or by rubbing in extra detergent.

Review Steps

  1. Presoak your uniform if it’s really dirty
  2. NEVER use bleach
  3. Wash your uniform separately all by itself
  4. Use the “Delicate Cycle” if your washer has one
  5. Wash your uniform in COLD water every time
  6. Do NOT EVER dry your uniform in the dryer. Hang to dry!!!

Remember, these uniforms are your responsibility for the entire season and you have been given a large value in uniforms. They are beautiful because we all commit and work hard to keep them beautiful. If you damage them or lose them, the replacement price is $200 dollars per jersey or $100 per pant. White jersey = $200. Blue jersey = $200, Black jersey = $200, White pants = $100, Blue pants = $100, Black pants = $100. Total = $900!!