Considering that the game of hockey consists of plenty of blood, sweat and tears it’s imperative to keep your jerseys as clean and fresh as possible. This means they should really be washed after each game and practice to keep them clean as well as bacteria and odor-free.
The quickest and most convenient way to was a hockey jersey is to simply toss it in the washing machine. However, it’s not recommended to place it in the clothes dryer after washing it as it could possibly shrink in size.
Can You Put a Hockey Jersey in the Washer?
It’s safe to wash your jersey in a washing machine but it’s a good idea to wash it on its own or with clothes of a similar color. This is because you don’t want the colors of other clothes to possibly run into your jersey, especially if it’s white. You should also use a color-safe type of detergent since these have little to no bleach in them.
You don’t need to use a fabric softener since they often contain chemicals that may alter the jersey’s texture and this could affect its ability to wick away perspiration. It’s recommended that you use cold water and the gentle or delicate cycle when washing hockey jerseys and then let them air dry. Hot water shouldn’t be used even on white jerseys as the colors in the numbers and logo etc could fade.
Tip! Turn Your Jersey Inside Out
If you turn the jersey inside out before placing it into the washing machine it will also help prevent damage to the logos, crests, and numbers, etc. This trick will also prevent it from coming into direct contact with the detergent and will help stop the colors from fading.
Can You Put a Hockey Jersey in the Dryer?
You don’t want to risk placing your prized hockey jersey in the clothes dryer as it may shrink, depending on the type of materials it’s made with. Also, the dryer could possibly damage or even melt the jersey’s logos and numbers as well as allow stains to set in and fade the colors. If you’re in a rush though and stuck with a wet jersey that needs to be dried as quickly as possible, be sure to use the dryer’s lowest heat setting.
I would never put my team’s game jersey in the dryer, however, if washing a bunch of practice jerseys I will place them in the dryer. I have coached a hockey team and we had our own team laundry machines. We would wash and dry our practice jerseys regularly with no issues. Practice jerseys are very affordable compared to game jerseys.
Can I Use a Dryer Sheet with my Hockey Jersey?
This answer may be a bit contradictory since we’ve already established that placing your jersey in a dryer isn’t recommended. However, if you have no other choice, be sure to use the lowest heat setting and feel free to use a dryer sheet. This will keep it static-free and a scented dryer sheet will help keep the jersey smelling fresh.
Can I Use Chlorine Bleach on My Hockey Jersey?
You may be tempted to use chlorine bleach on a dirty white hockey jersey but it could easily damage the material, especially if it’s made of polyester fabrics. The inner core of white polyester fibers are actually yellow and if the chlorine bleach reacts with these fibers it could turn the jersey’s color a dull shade of yellow.
An alternative to using chlorine bleach is to mix an oxygen-based bleach with cool water and soak the jersey in it for several hours. Be sure to follow the directions on the bleach container so you know the correct amount of bleach and water to use.
How do I Remove Blood Stains on my Hockey Jersey?
The most effective way of removing blood stains from a jersey is to pre-soak it before washing it. But before doing so, you should rinse the jersey with cold water to help remove any loose dirt and dried blood. Be aware that hot water isn’t a good option as it basically allows the bloodstains to set into the material, making it very hard to remove them.
As mentioned above, mix a solution of cool water with an oxygen-based bleach such as Clorox 2, Purex 2 Colour Safe Bleach or OxiClean and soak the jersey in it for up to eight hours. You may also want to add baking soda to the water to help get rid of any odors. After soaking the jersey you may want to rub in some extra detergent on any remaining bloodstain or use a stain remover before placing it in the washing machine.
If your home is equipped with both soft and hard water it may help you to know that hard water contains certain minerals which hinder detergents when it comes to removing dirt. If you have an option it’s better to use soft water. If you have hard water only you can add water conditioner to it as this will help the detergent work more effectively.
What’s the Best Laundry Detergent for a Hockey Jersey?
The best laundry detergent to use for hockey jerseys is really a personal opinion and is therefore debatable. But I have found Persil ProClean Power-Liquid Laundry Detergent to be very effective and can say the same about Method Laundry Detergent, Free + Clear. You may already have a favorite laundry detergent to use on your jerseys but if you haven’t chosen one yet you should try to stay away from products such as Tide Pods and colored detergents as they could stain the jerseys.
How to Spot Clean a Hockey Jersey?
If you need to remove a stain but don’t have time or opportunity to pre-soak and wash the jersey you may want to try a quick spot clean method. Simply soak the stained area with cold water and use a stain remover if you have one.
If not, you could try a liquid detergent such as Dawn, soap, shampoo or vinegar. Just rub the stain gently with the cleaning liquid you’ve chosen using a toothbrush or sponge and then wring out the excess moisture. It’s important to remove stains as soon as possible as they become harder to get rid of over time.
What’s the Best Way to Clean a Signed Hockey Jersey?
If you have a signed jersey that needs to be cleaned you need to be careful not to spoil the autograph. The best option is to let a professional dry cleaner deal with it but you can also clean it at home if necessary. The recommended way is to wash the jersey gently by hand in cold, soft water with a mild detergent. Be sure to wash the signed area very carefully without too much pressure.
Ian is an experienced ice hockey writer with a passion for the game. He has been covering hockey for over 25 years and has contributed to various publications. He covers all aspects of the sport, from NHL rules to in-depth analysis of the game as well as previews. Ian is also an avid fan who attends numerous games and has played hockey regularly since moving to Canada at the age of 10.
