How to Wash NFL Jerseys and Dry Them Right 

Looking for how to wash NFL jerseys the right way? FlagOh shows you how to keep it fresh and game-ready—use cold water, gentle cycles, a mesh bag, and mild detergent. Follow quick settings by washer type, treat stains smartly, skip the heat when drying, and your jersey will stay bright, smooth, and built for overtime.

How To Wash Your NFL Jerseys Safely

Searching for the definitive answer to how to wash NFL jerseys correctly? Don’t risk peeling graphics or set-in odors. This guide provides the essential, step-by-step method used by professionals to keep your jersey sharp. Get ready to clean your gear the right way and find your next team display item at FlagOh!

Material And Mechanics

The structural difference dictates your washing machine settings:

Replica Jerseys With Vinyl Prints:

These use a thin vinyl film bonded by heat-activated glue—light and soft, but the most vulnerable finish. Friction can lift or crack edges, and heat softens adhesive, leading to wrinkles or detachment. See Step 2 for safe wash settings and avoid any heat until graphics are fully dry.

Sewn-On Lettering Jerseys:

Letters and numbers are thicker fabric stitched to the jersey with zigzag seams. They’re durable but get heavy when wet; the added mass increases inertia and can stress threads or distort shape at high spins. Follow the lower spin guidance in Step 2 to minimize seam stress.

Protect Your Jersey During Washing

To supplement the gentle wash cycle, physical protection is mandatory:

• Turn Inside-Out: This is the first barrier, ensuring the print always faces the soft interior of the jersey instead of rubbing directly against the washing drum.
• Mesh Laundry Bag: The mesh bag (30 x 40 cm) acts as an independent casing, isolating your jersey from other items in the machine. It is essential, especially when washing everyday clothes.

Note: Regardless of the jersey type, the wash temperature must always be Cold, as both thermal adhesives and dyes are sensitive to hot water.

How to Wash NFL Jerseys Step by Step

Your NFL jersey is a significant investment. Whether it’s a standard piece or a special FlagOh edition, knowing how to wash NFL jerseys correctly is crucial to preventing damage to the graphics, stitching, and fabric. Follow these essential steps for long-lasting preservation:

Step 1- Preparation & Stain Pre-Treatment

Turn the jersey inside out and close any zippers or Velcro so they don’t snag. Handle stains in cold water only. For mud or grass, give the spot a quick cold rinse, then let an enzyme stain remover sit for about 10–15 minutes. For blood, blot with cold water first and then use the enzyme treatment. For oil or sunscreen, dab on a drop of dish soap, rinse with cool water, and finish with the enzyme treatment. Don’t use heat yet, because heat can set stains and damage graphics.

Step 2 – Washing Machine Settings

Slip the jersey into a 30×40 cm mesh laundry bag—this is especially important if you have a top-load washer with an agitator. Wash in cold water (around 20–30 °C) on the Delicate or Hand Wash cycle. Choose a low spin; if your machine shows numbers, aim for about 400–800 RPM, and stick closer to 400–600 RPM for stitched tackle-twill. Add a small amount of mild sports (enzyme) detergent—about 10–20 mL, which is roughly 2–4 teaspoons. Skip bleach and fabric softener.

Step 3 – Treating Persistent Odor & New Jersey

If the jersey still smells after washing, soak it in a white vinegar solution before the next wash: about 1 tablespoon of vinegar per 1 liter of water for 15–30 minutes, then run a cold wash with an extra rinse. Never combine vinegar with bleach. For new or dark jerseys, wash them separately for the first three washes, and consider adding a color-catcher sheet to help prevent dye transfer.

That’s it—gentle steps, cold water, low spin, light detergent, and no heat. Your jersey will stay sharp and game-ready much longer.

Dry NFL Jerseys Without Heat And Keep Shape

To clean an NFL jersey safely, dry it with no heat, and use gentle steam to remove wrinkles—avoid irons to protect adhesives and colors.

Air-Dry Setup:

Use a wide-shoulder hanger. Dry indoors at RH 40–60%, 30–60 cm from any heat source. For the first 30–60 minutes, consider two hangers (or a bar layover) to reduce neck/shoulder stretch. Reshape names and numbers while damp.

Speed Refresh:

Extra spin ≤600 RPM, towel roll for 1–2 minutes. Position in front of a fan. For wrinkles, steam from 20–30 cm—never touch graphics with an iron.

Time Ranges & Fail-safes:

Expect 4–8 hours to dry with decent airflow. Colors: shade only to prevent fade. Whites: Brief indirect sun is fine. Avoid dryers and any heat > 40 °C (104 °F) to protect adhesives.

Once dry, inspect names and patches, continue air-drying away from heat, and lightly steam any creases. For lingering odor, use the Odor Playbook, then follow care tips for graphics and storage.

Store And Display NFL Jerseys The Right Way

Learn how to wash NFL jerseys by protecting names and colors, treating stitched or heat-pressed details gently, using color catchers on first washes, air-drying, and always following the care label.

Stitched Prints And Heat-Pressed Vinyl:

• Feature: Stitched/tackle-twill letters vs heat-pressed vinyl films.
• Advantage: Stitched tolerates gentle cycles better; vinyl is lighter but heat-sensitive.
• Benefit: Using low heat, a mesh bag, and inside-out washing keeps edges sharp and prevents cracking/peeling. If you see lifting edges/fine cracking, stop heat and consult a pro shop—don’t DIY re-press.

Whites and Colors Care Guide: Run the first 3 washes solo. Use color catcher sheets. For whites without colored trims, oxygen bleach per label is okay; never use chlorine on polyester. Do a damp cotton swab test on a seam before the very first wash.

Storage And Display After Care:

• Climate: Keep jerseys at RH 45–55% and 18–24 °C (64–75 °F); avoid attic/garage heat swings.
• Materials: Use a breathable garment bag with acid-free tissue under nameplates and folds; avoid sealed plastic bins that trap moisture and off-gas.
• Display: Frame with UV-filter glazing and position away from direct sun. Rotate folds periodically to prevent set-in creases.

Dressing your wall, too? Pair the frame with a FlagOh team flag or a small custom banner—clean mounts, no heat or pressure on the jersey.

After washing, check letters and patches for lifting or cracks. Pause heat if damaged, store in a breathable bag away from UV, and consult a pro if needed.

Keep NFL Jerseys Fresh And Color True

Need a fast plan for how to clean an NFL jersey when stains or odors hit? Use these playbooks to choose the right agent and order of moves—so you fix the problem quickly without risking damage.

Stain Playbook by Type:

• Grass/mud: Enzyme pre-treat → Delicate cold cycle.
• Mustard/BBQ/beer: Scrape excess → dab dish soap → cool rinse → wash.
• Blood: Cold-blot → enzyme → cold wash only.

Odor Protocol: Enzyme sports detergent + Extra Rinse. If odor persists, use the white vinegar 1 tbsp/L for a 15–30 minute soak, then wash again cold. 

Whites vs Colors & Bleed Prevention: Perform a damp cotton swab dye test on a seam. Keep colors in shade; avoid over-drying whites (they can yellow). Store only when fully dry to prevent mustiness.

If stains or odor remain, repeat the pre-treat and wash cold, avoiding heat until clear. Then move to Drying and De-wrinkling and Protect Graphics and Colors. Follow the garment label, spot-test an inside seam, never mix vinegar with bleach, and rinse fully before switching products.

Question About Wash and Care for NFL Jerseys

Got quick questions about how to wash NFL jerseys and care for them after? This Mini-FAQ gives fast, straight answers on temps, machine types, bleach, steaming, odor fixes, and storage—so you can make the right move in seconds.

What temperature should you use to wash an NFL jersey?
Cold 20–30 °C (68–86 °F) on Delicate/Hand Wash protects fibers and adhesives.

Can you put an NFL jersey in the dryer?
Avoid dryers; heat > 40 °C (104 °F) can soften adhesives and warp films.

Are front-loaders safer than top-load agitators?
Yes—top-load agitators require a mesh laundry bag 30×40 cm and the gentlest cycle at 400–600 RPM.

How do you remove set-in odors?
Use enzyme sports detergent with Extra Rinse. If needed, white vinegar 1 tbsp/L for 15–30 minutes, then rewash cold—never mix with bleach.

Can you use bleach on a white NFL jersey?
Use oxygen bleach per label on whites without color trims. Avoid chlorine on polyester.

Is steaming safe for wrinkles?
Yes, from 20–30 cm away; never apply a hot iron directly on numbers or patches.

Machine vs hand-wash—which is safer?
Machine washing is fine with a mesh bag and gentle settings; hand-washing offers maximum abrasion control.

How often should I wash my jersey?
After sweaty wear, otherwise spot-clean and air out to reduce wear.

What are the signs numbers are about to peel?
Lifted edges or fine cracking—stop heat and seek a pro shop rather than DIY re-pressing.

How should I store jerseys to avoid yellowing?
Keep at RH 45–55%, 18–24 °C (64–75 °F), in a breathable garment bag with acid-free tissue and away from UV light.

When you need to know how to wash NFL jerseys, use a simple rhythm: turn inside out, pick a gentle cycle, bag the jersey, dose precisely, keep spin low, and air-dry. Pre-treat stains in the right order, test colorfastness on first washes, and store clean, dry, out of UV. For off-field pride, explore FlagOh for team flags and custom house-divided banners.