The ice hockey jersey is the sportswear worn by athletes when they are playing on the ice rink. Frequent exercise causes players to sweat. Knowing the washing methods for the ice hockey jersey is helpful for players’ daily training wear. This article will help you understand the correct washing methods and precautions for hockey jerseys, and help you extend its service life.
1.What Tools are Needed for Cleaning a Hockey Jersey?
Cleaning an ice hockey jersey is not complicated. Before cleaning, make sure you have all the necessary items ready. This will not only save you time but also make it easy to clean the jersey thoroughly. Please refer to the following list:
Please use mild detergent instead of strong one. Otherwise, the ingredients in it will irritate the fabric of the clothes and cause damage to the fabric.
Prepare a bag of baking soda. It can remove the odor from the jersey.
Prepare a bottle of white vinegar. White vinegar can not only effectively remove the odor from the clothes, but also remove some stains.
A soft-bristled laundry brush. Choose a soft-bristled brush to remove local stains conveniently.
Prepare a laundry bag. If you choose to wash by machine, the laundry bag can protect the patterns on the jersey.
2.Washing instructions for Hockey Jerseys
During the cleaning process, follow these steps to learn how to clean the jerseys.
Read the washing instructions
Before cleaning, please first check the label inside the hockey jersey. There will be a lot of important information on it to avoid any trouble during the cleaning process. The label usually indicates the fabric composition, washing method and maintenance method of this hockey jersey. Following the instructions on the label can effectively protect the hockey jersey.
Pre-treatment of stains
The duration that stains remain on the clothes will have a certain impact on the difficulty of cleaning them. Therefore, before the formal cleaning process, more obvious stains on the clothes can be treated in advance. This way, during the cleaning process, the darker stains can be easily removed; otherwise, some stains will become even more difficult to clean after being soaked in water.
Apply baking soda or detergent locally to the stained area, leave it for 10 minutes to allow the cleaning ingredients to fully break down the stains. Then, use a soft-bristled brush to rub and wipe until the stains become lighter.
Separate by color
During the cleaning process, it is important to separate the ice hockey jerseys of different colors for washing. For instance, some black and dark blue hockey jerseys may have color bleeding during the first cleaning process, which could easily stain the light-colored jerseys and affect their use in the next session.
Turn the clothes inside out
The front of the jersey usually has some patterns, numbers and names. During the washing process, the jersey should be turned over. This not only makes it easier to remove sweat odor and stains, but also helps protect the patterns and seams on the jersey, preventing them from getting tangled or damaged during the washing process.
Wash with cold water
Washing the ice hockey jersey with cold water can better protect the garment, preventing shrinking and fading. Cold water can also effectively break down and soak up stains, preserving the integrity of the fabric. Hot water, on the other hand, will damage the jersey, causing shrinking or fading.
Soft mode washing
If you are using a washing machine, please select the gentle mode for washing. The strong cleaning mode will increase the friction on the surface of the jersey, causing it to come apart or deform. To protect the jersey, you can use a laundry bag to reduce the friction between the jersey and the washing machine.
If you are hand-washing, immerse the ice hockey jersey in water, add a mild detergent, and gently rub it to avoid pulling on the jersey.
3.Choose the Appropriate Detergent
There are many types of detergents. Different detergents are suitable for cleaning different kinds of clothes. So, which detergent is suitable for cleaning ice hockey uniforms? We will introduce them one by one.
Sports Detergent：Sports detergent is a type of detergent specifically designed for cleaning sports equipment. It has a strong cleaning power, but it is rarely used for cleaning ice hockey jerseys. You can choose some ordinary laundry detergents that do not contain enzymes or whitening agents, and they also have a very strong cleaning effect.
Fabric Softener: When cleaning sportswear, especially those made of ultra-fine fibers, do not use fabric softeners. They will cause the tiny fibers on the clothes to stick together, losing their breathability, thus preventing the sweat produced by athletes during exercise from being promptly expelled from the body.
Mild detergent：The mild detergent can clean clothes in cold water. The anti-fading agent contained in it can prevent the clothes from fading. The mild detergent is gentle in nature, suitable for hand washing, and does not irritate the skin.
4.How to Dry Your Hockey Jersey？
Drying ice hockey jerseys is as important as the steps for cleaning them. The best way to dry a washed ice hockey jersey is to hang it up to air dry. Use a wide hanger to hang your ice hockey jersey and place it in a cool, shady spot to dry naturally. Do not wring or stretch it, and avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the jersey to shrink and fade.
If you are in a hurry to wear it for the second time, you can choose a dryer, but remember to select the low-temperature setting. The high-temperature setting will damage the fabric of the ice hockey jersey and cause it to deform.
5.FAQ:
Can the Jersey be Put Into the Dryer?
Yes, hockey jerseys can be put in a dryer. However, before doing so, please check the label of the jersey to confirm if it can be dried and the drying time. Each type of hockey jersey has different fabrics and washing methods. For those that can be dried, you must choose the low-temperature mode for drying; otherwise, the jersey will change color or even be damaged. Therefore, the best way we recommend is for you to let it dry naturally by being exposed to the wind and sun. This is the best method for drying hockey jerseys.
How to Maintain Hockey Jersey？
Proper maintenance of the hockey jersey can ensure its service life. Wash it gently with a mild detergent and let it dry naturally in a cool place. If you can’t clean it immediately, don’t roll it up and stack it. Instead, hang it up and keep it in its original state. If the jersey has wrinkles, turn it over and use low-temperature ironing. Don’t leave it in one place for a long time, as this can protect the design on the front of the jersey.
How Often Should a Hockey Jersey be Washed?
To maintain the comfort of the hockey jersey, it is recommended that you remove it after your exercise and then wash it. This will effectively remove odors and stains and will not affect your next wearing.
Is a Drum Washing Machine Better than a Top-loading Washing Machine?
Both of these washing machines can be used to clean hockey jerseys. The working principle of the drum-type washing machine is to use a small amount of water to roll and strike the clothes from top to bottom. Due to the low water consumption, the detergent can better soak the clothes, thereby effectively removing stains. The top-loading washing machine cleans by using water flow to create friction between the clothes for cleaning. Both washing machines have their own characteristics. The drum-type washing machine is milder compared to the top-loading washing machine, and has less damage to the clothes.
Is It Better to Let the Hockey Jersey Air Dry Naturally or Dry It in a Dryer?
Different drying methods also affect the quality of the hockey jerseys. Placing the washed ice hockey jerseys in a cool and ventilated place for drying can extend the service life of the jerseys. Compared to a dryer, natural drying reduces the tearing of the surface fibers of the jerseys and exerts less pressure on them.
Can All Hockey Jerseys be Washed in the Machine?
Yes, most hockey jerseys are machine washable. However, before washing, please read the label on the jersey to determine the extent of the stains, the material of the jersey, and your washing habits. These factors will all affect the quality of the jersey.
Why Can’t Softener be Used When Washing Hockey Jerseys?
The fabric softener will clog the pores of the ice hockey jersey, reducing its breathability and impairing its ability to absorb and evaporate sweat. This can lead to the retention of sweat and odors. For people who exercise frequently and sweat profusely, using fabric softener is a wrong choice.
6.Final Thought
Learning how to clean the ice hockey jersey and developing the habit of regular maintenance can help you extend the lifespan of the jersey. If you have any other questions about the jersey, please feel free to contact us at any time. Goal Sportswear is a reliable manufacturer of sports clothing. We hope our guide will be helpful to you.
English 
Spanish 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
French 
German 
Russian 
Korean