How to wash a custom jersey so the print lasts
A sublimated jersey is not printed on; the dye is bonded into the fibre. That is why it will not crack, peel or flake however many times it goes through the wash. So if a custom kit looks tired after a season, the print is rarely what failed — the fabric did. And the thing that kills performance fabric is heat.
The short version
- Cold wash, inside out, with like colours
- Mild detergent — no bleach, no fabric softener
- Hang to dry, never tumble dry
- Do not iron directly on printed or stitched areas
- Wash soon after the game, not three days later
Why no fabric softener
Softener works by leaving a waxy film on the fibres. On a cotton towel that feels nice. On a moisture-wicking performance knit it clogs exactly the channels that move sweat away from the skin, so the jersey stops breathing and starts holding smell. Skip it entirely. If your kit has gone stale, a cold wash with a cup of white vinegar and no detergent will strip the residue out.
Why no tumble dryer
Polyester relaxes at surprisingly low temperatures. A hot dryer cycle is what causes the shrinkage, the puckered seams, the slightly-off shoulder fit and the curled hem that make a jersey look old. Stitched tackle twill numbers can lift at the corners too. Performance fabric dries fast anyway — hang it and it will be ready before a dryer cycle would have finished.
Grass, mud and blood
Deal with it wet, not dry. Rinse the area in cold water as soon as you can and let it soak — cold, not warm, because heat sets protein stains like blood permanently. For grass, work a little detergent into the mark with your fingers and leave it fifteen minutes before washing. Avoid bleach on any coloured kit: it attacks the dye, and on a sublimated garment that means a permanent pale patch.
Storing kit between seasons
Wash and dry completely before storing — damp kit in a bag is how mildew starts, and mildew stains do not come out. Fold rather than hang for long periods; a season on a hanger stretches the shoulders. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades any garment over months.
What to do if something is genuinely wrong
If a print has faded, a seam has failed, or a zip has broken in normal use, that is a defect and not a care issue. Send us your order number and a photo within 14 days of delivery and we will remake or refund it. Details are on our Returns & exchanges page.
Look after a kit this way and the design you approved is the design you will still be wearing at the end of the season.
