How to Wash & Care for Your NFL Jersey (So the Stitching Lasts)
Six steps that keep the name, number and seams looking sharp.
Most jersey damage does not happen in the wash. It happens in the dryer, or from folding a dry garment for a week under a heavy jersey, and it shows up as cracked letters, puckered seams and a collar that has gone wavy. The good news is that almost all of it is preventable with six habits and about ten minutes of attention. This guide walks through those habits in order, then clears up the three myths that cause most of the damage in the first place.
The six-step care routine
Turn the jersey inside out
The printed name, number and crest sit on the outside of the garment, so that is the surface rubbing against other clothes and against the drum of the machine. Turning the jersey inside out puts a plain fabric layer between those details and everything else. It is the single highest-return habit in this whole guide.
Cold water, gentle cycle
Use cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle. Heat is what shrinks fabric and what loosens the bond between applied lettering and the garment underneath it. Cold water cleans a worn jersey perfectly well — the detergent does the work, not the temperature.
Mild detergent, and no more than usual
A small amount of mild liquid detergent is enough. Heavy doses leave a residue in the fabric that can stiffen the material over time and dull the colours. Skip bleach entirely, and skip fabric softener — softener coats the fibres and reduces the crispness that makes a jersey look sharp.
Air dry flat, or hang in the shade
This is where most jerseys are lost. Skip the tumble dryer, or use it only on the lowest heat setting for a short cycle with the jersey inside out. The safest option is laying the jersey flat on a towel with a second towel over the top, or hanging it on a wide hanger away from direct sun. Never leave a jersey on a radiator or on a washing line in strong sun — fading starts there.
Press the lettering from the reverse side
Once the jersey is fully dry, if a number or name has started to lift at a corner, set the iron to a cool or warm setting and press from the inside of the garment, with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the print. Never press directly onto the lettering with a hot iron — that is the fastest way to flatten and crack an applique.
Fold it, do not cram it
Store a jersey folded flat rather than crammed into a drawer or hanging on a narrow hanger, which puts the shoulders under strain and stretches the collar. If you hang it, use a wide padded hanger. Folded flat with a little space around the name and number is the safest way to store it between seasons.
Do this, not that
✓ Do
- Wash jerseys inside out, separately the first few times.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle every time.
- Air dry flat or hang in shade.
- Press lettering from the reverse side, cool setting.
- Wash one jersey at a time — zippers and buttons snag.
- Empty the pockets before washing. Less risk of a stray pen.
✗ Do not
- Do not use bleach or fabric softener.
- Do not tumble dry on high heat.
- Do not iron directly onto the name or number.
- Do not wash jerseys with towels or heavy denim.
- Do not dry on a radiator, in a dryer vent, or in direct sun.
- Do not store a jersey folded tight in a deep drawer.
Settings at a glance
| Setting | What to use | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Cold | Heat shrinks fabric and loosens applied lettering. |
| Cycle | Gentle / delicate | Less agitation means less flexing of seams and numbers. |
| Detergent | Small amount, mild | Residue stiffens fabric and dulls colour over time. |
| Additive | No bleach, no softener | Both attack colour and fibre crispness. |
| Drying | Air dry flat / shaded hang | The single biggest factor in how long lettering lasts. |
| Ironing | Cool, from the reverse side | Direct heat cracks and flattens applied numbers. |
Three myths worth dropping
Myth 01
"Never machine wash a jersey."
Cold water and a gentle cycle is the right way to wash a jersey. Hand-washing is no safer for the lettering — it is slower and harder to rinse detergent out evenly.
Myth 02
"Water is what ruins the stitching."
Water is not the enemy. Heat, agitation and dryer friction are. A cold gentle cycle leaves seams and stitching exactly where they were.
Myth 03
"A low dryer setting is fine."
Low heat shortens the life of applied numbers more than anything else in this guide. Air drying costs you nothing but a few hours.
Stitched jerseys worth caring for
Denver Broncos
Patrick Surtain II — Stitched Limited Jersey, Orange
Stitched tiers have more thread than printed ones, which means they hold shape longer — and reward a careful wash. Follow the six steps above and the stitching stays tight season after season.
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Denver Broncos
Team Vapor F.U.S.E. Elite Custom Jersey — Orange
A custom name and number is applied after you order, which is exactly why the inside-out, cold-water rule matters most here. Custom jerseys are made to order, so allow 3–5 extra business days, and spell the name carefully — personalized orders cannot be returned.
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FAQ
Can I machine wash an NFL jersey?
Yes. Turn it inside out, use cold water and a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent, and skip bleach and fabric softener.
Should I put my jersey in the dryer?
Air drying is safest. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting, keep the jersey inside out, and run it for a short cycle only.
How do I get a lifting number or name back in place?
Let the jersey dry fully, then press from the reverse side with a cool or warm iron, with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the print. Never press directly onto the lettering.
How should I store a jersey between seasons?
Fold it flat rather than cramming it into a drawer, and if you hang it use a wide padded hanger so the shoulders and collar keep their shape.
Do custom name-and-number jerseys need different care?
Custom jerseys are personalized after you order, so treat the printed name and number with extra care: inside out, cold water, no dryer. Custom jerseys are made to order and are not returnable, so double-check the spelling before it goes to production.
Can I iron a jersey?
Yes, but set the iron to cool or warm and always press from the inside of the garment with a cloth barrier. Direct hot ironing on a number or crest is what causes cracking.