Washing, drying and storing your shirts without damaging names, numbers or patches

A football shirt is more than fabric. The name and number on the back, the league patches on the sleeves and the crest on the chest are what make it special, and they are also the parts most easily damaged by the wrong wash. Most of these details are heat-applied, which means they rely on an adhesive that heat, friction and certain chemicals can slowly break down. Follow the steps below and your shirt will keep looking match-day fresh for years.

•      Check the care label. Every shirt has one inside the side seam or collar. If its instructions are stricter than this guide, follow the label.

•      Only wash when needed. Every wash causes a little wear. If you wore the shirt briefly and it isn't dirty, airing it out is often enough.

•      Don't leave it damp. After a match or a training session, don't leave a sweaty shirt balled up in a bag or laundry basket. Hang it to air out until you can wash it, to avoid odours and mildew.

•      Treat stains early. Rinse fresh stains with cold water from the inside of the fabric. Hot water can set stains permanently.

1. Turn it inside out

This is the single most important step. Washing the shirt inside out keeps names, numbers, patches and crests away from friction against water, other garments and the drum, and helps colours stay vivid.

2. Hand wash in cold water (recommended)

Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water, no warmer than 30°C / 86°F. Dissolve a small amount of mild liquid detergent first, then submerge the shirt. Gently press and squeeze the fabric. Don't scrub or rub the printed areas, and avoid long soaks of more than 20–30 minutes, which can cause dark colours to bleed onto lighter details.

3. Using a washing machine? Keep it gentle

If you need to use the machine, choose the delicate or hand-wash cycle at 30°C maximum and set the spin to its slowest speed. Put the shirt in a mesh laundry bag and wash it only with similar colours and light garments. Keep it away from jeans, towels and anything with zips, buttons or Velcro, which can scratch and snag prints.

4. Rinse well

Rinse in cold water until no detergent remains. Leftover soap can stiffen the fabric and leave residue around prints. Never wring or twist the shirt: press the water out gently, or roll it inside a clean towel.

5. Dry flat, in the shade

Lay the shirt flat on a clean towel or drying rack and gently reshape the collar, shoulders and hem. A wet shirt is heavy, so hanging it stretches the shoulders and neckline, and pegs can leave marks. Dry it in the shade: direct sunlight fades colours and can dry out heat-applied details over time.

•      Fabric softener — weakens the adhesive of names, numbers and crests.

•      Tumble dryer — heat and tumbling are the fastest way to crack and peel prints.

•      Hot water — above 30°C, heat-applied details start to loosen and the fabric may shrink.

•      Bleach or strong stain removers — they fade colours, weaken synthetic fibres and can discolour white prints.

•      Ironing over prints or patches — direct heat melts vinyl and reactivates the patch adhesive.

•      Dry cleaning — the solvents can damage vinyl prints and sponsor logos.

•      Wringing or twisting — it stretches the fabric and creases prints, causing cracks.

Most football shirts are made of polyester and rarely need ironing if dried flat. If you must, turn the shirt inside out, use the lowest heat setting, place a thin cotton cloth in between, and never iron directly over names, numbers, patches or sponsor logos.

•      Store clean and fully dry. Even slight dampness can lead to mildew and odours.

•      Fold, don't hang long-term. Lay a sheet of tissue paper (acid-free for collectible pieces) over the prints before folding, and avoid folding straight through a name or number, since repeated creasing can crack the vinyl. For display, use a wide, padded hanger rather than a thin wire one.

•      Keep away from light, heat and humidity. A cool, dark wardrobe or drawer is ideal. Avoid sealed plastic bags for long periods, as they trap moisture; breathable cotton garment bags are a better choice.

•      Framing a shirt? Choose UV-protective glass and hang it away from direct sunlight.

Match-worn shirts: many collectors choose not to wash them at all. Grass marks, mud and other signs of use are part of the shirt's story and can support its match history, and washing removes that evidence for good. If you are unsure, contact us before washing.

Vintage shirts: older shirts, especially those with flock or early vinyl prints, are more fragile. Hand wash only, in cold water, and handle the prints with extra care.

Have a question about caring for a specific shirt, patch or name set? Contact the Tank Shirts Store team and we'll be happy to help.