How to wash and store your football shirts to keep them in perfect condition

Football shirts are made to be worn, but they also deserve the right care. Washing them incorrectly can cause colours to fade, fabric to deteriorate and printed names, numbers or sponsors to crack or peel. This is particularly important when it comes to vintage football shirts, which may have delicate materials or printing that has become more fragile over time.

The good news is that looking after your shirts does not require expensive products or complicated routines. With the right washing method and a few simple precautions, you can help keep your collection in perfect condition for years to come. Let's first talk about the steps on how to wash your shirts, and then move on to the part of storing them. Here is our step-by-step guide to washing and storing your football shirts properly.

Before washing your football shirt, check the care label for the recommended temperature and washing instructions. Shirts can differ in fabric composition and construction, so the label should always take priority over general advice. They are always located on the inside of the shirt. Match issue or match worn shirts often have the label printed on the fabric, as contact with the label can be itchy, and therefore is removed for official games.

Take a moment to inspect the shirt as well. Look for loose stitching, damaged fabric, peeling sponsor logos or names and numbers that are already cracking. If the shirt is particularly old or valuable, or the printing is starting to come away, avoid putting it straight into the washing machine. A gentle hand wash may be a better option, although even hand washing can carry some risk if the material or printing is already fragile. We advise to always wash your shirts by hand, and not use the washing machine at all. The only exception is when your shirt does not have any printing and name set on it. Stitching, embroidered logos, and fabric can easily endure light washing machine sessions.

Turn your football shirt inside out before washing it. This reduces direct contact between the printed details and other garments or the inside of the washing machine. It is a simple way to help protect name sets, sponsors, badges and other applied details from unnecessary friction.

This step is especially useful for shirts with player names and numbers on the back. However, turning a shirt inside out does not eliminate the risk of damage, so it should always be combined with a gentle washing method.

Separate white and light-coloured shirts from dark and brightly coloured garments to reduce the risk of colour transfer. Avoid washing football shirts together with clothes that have zips, hooks or rough surfaces that could snag the fabric.

For additional protection, you can place the shirt inside a mesh laundry bag before machine washing. This helps limit friction and contact with other items in the drum. It does not replace a gentle programme, but it can be particularly useful for shirts with delicate details.

Use a mild laundry detergent and follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. More detergent does not necessarily mean a cleaner shirt, and excess detergent can be harder to rinse out.

Avoid bleach and harsh cleaning products, particularly on coloured fabrics and printed details. We also recommend avoiding fabric softener, especially on technical sportswear like player version or match issue shirts, as it can leave a coating on moisture-wicking fibres. For most football shirts, a suitable detergent and the correct washing programme are all you need.

For most football shirts, a cool wash at 30°C or below is a sensible starting point, provided the care label allows it. Choose a delicate or gentle cycle and use a low spin speed where possible. Football shirts generally do not need the high temperatures used for heavily soiled household laundry. We still advise to wash the shirt by hand, instead of a washing machine.

Higher temperatures and vigorous washing can put unnecessary stress on the fabric and applied printing. For older shirts, rare pieces or shirts with fragile namesets, hand washing is often the more cautious choice. If the care label gives different instructions, follow those instead.

If you choose to hand wash your shirt, fill a clean basin with cool water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Mix the detergent into the water before placing the shirt inside.

Submerge the shirt and gently press it through the water so the fabric becomes wet throughout. Avoid aggressive rubbing, twisting or scrubbing, especially around sponsors, numbers and badges. Allow the water and detergent to do the cleaning rather than trying to remove dirt through force. Gently rub the fabric against itself in areas that tend to get dirty more quickly, such as the armpits.

After washing, empty the basin and refill it with clean, cool water. Gently move the shirt through the water to remove the detergent. Repeat with fresh water until no visible soap residue remains.

Do not wring or twist the shirt to remove water. This can strain the fabric, seams and applied details. Instead, gently press out excess water with your hands. You can then lay the shirt on a clean towel, roll the towel loosely around it and press gently to absorb additional moisture.

Air drying is the preferred option for football shirts, particularly those with printed names, numbers or sponsors. Never put a shirt in the tumble dryer unless its specific care label explicitly permits it; for shirts with delicate or heat-applied printing, avoiding the tumble dryer is the safest approach.

Lay the shirt flat on a clean, dry towel or drying rack and gently reshape it while it is still damp. Keep it away from radiators, heaters and direct sunlight. Excessive heat can damage applied details, while prolonged direct sunlight can fade colours. Make sure the shirt is completely dry before putting it away.

If you prefer to hang it, use a suitable hanger that supports the shoulders without stretching the fabric. For particularly delicate or heavy shirts, flat drying is preferable.

Washing is only part of caring for a football shirt. How you store it also matters, especially if you collect vintage shirts or want to preserve original printing and colours over many years.

Make sure your shirts are completely dry

Never store a football shirt while it is still damp. Trapped moisture can encourage mould and mildew, leading to unpleasant smells and potentially permanent damage. After washing, allow the shirt to dry fully in a well-ventilated area before folding it or placing it in a wardrobe or storage box.

This is particularly important if you live in a humid environment or keep your collection in a room with limited ventilation. If a shirt smells musty after storage, check for signs of moisture rather than simply masking the smell with fragrance.

Should you fold or hang football shirts?

Both methods can work, depending on the shirt and how long you intend to store it. Folding is a practical choice for a large collection because it saves space and avoids placing continuous weight on the shoulders. Use a clean, flat surface and fold the shirt gently, taking care not to create sharp creases across names, numbers or sponsor prints.

Hanging can be convenient for shirts you wear regularly or want to display. Choose a suitably wide hanger that supports the shoulders and avoid leaving delicate or heavy shirts hanging under tension for long periods. For long-term storage, folding a fragile shirt is often the more cautious choice.

Keep your collection away from sunlight and moisture

Store football shirts in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade colours, while damp conditions can encourage mould and mildew. Avoid storing shirts in persistently humid spaces, such as a damp basement, or in areas exposed to significant temperature fluctuations.

A wardrobe, drawer or suitable storage box in a dry room is generally a good option. Make sure the shirts are clean before putting them away and avoid compressing them tightly under heavy objects.

How to store rare and valuable football shirts

For particularly rare or valuable shirts, take extra care to minimize pressure, friction and exposure to environmental conditions. Store them individually where practical, or separate them with clean, suitable materials to prevent prints from rubbing against other garments. For long-term archival storage, acid-free tissue paper and materials designed for textile preservation may be worth considering.

Avoid placing heavy objects on top of your collection or folding shirts tightly across fragile namesets. Check stored shirts periodically for moisture, unusual smells or signs of deterioration. Try to keep some space between your shirts, so that smells and friction cannot damage them.