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How To Iron Basketball Jerseys? Step By Step Guide with Wash Tips

 

We have all been through it, you pull out your basketball jersey to wear and it’s wrinkled, too wrinkled, even for playing basketball when you know you’re going to sweat anyway. In this guide, there are many tips for washing and getting stains out of your jersey. Also a step by step Ironing guide for your jersey’s. There is some helpful content in this article if you play sports or are just a fan and you want to take better, care of your jerseys.

How to iron a basketball jersey? This method really will works with any type of jersey, as long as you follow the tips. You also must read the jersey’s label of what material it is and the washing instructions it suggests. Understand Do not put your jerseys in the dryer, I repeat do not put your jersey in the dryer, you want to preserve the lifespan of it.

To avoid any wrinkles to your jerseys do not put them in the hamper with other clothes. They will bunch up together and create wrinkles in the jersey if it sits too long in the hamper. Always hang your jersey’s to dry and even if they are dirty to prevent further wrinkles and grime.

Front of Kobe Bryant Jersey home white

Step By Step How to Iron a Jersey

Materials needed

  • Spray Bottle Full of Water ( If your iron does not contain water)
  • Iron
  • Ironing board or flat surface
  • Jersey

Here are your general materials and what setting you should set your iron too. I will give you further instructions if you are unsure what material it is.

Low Setting: Acetate, rayon, silk, and wool. For rayon and silk, turn the items inside out prior to ironing. For wool items, place a damp cloth between the item and the iron.A
Medium Setting:  Polyester (slightly damp before ironing)
High Setting: Cotton (slightly damp before ironing)

Step 1 – Make sure the jersey is meant to be Ironed. Check the tag or label to look for instructions on proper care for the jersey.

Step 2 – Grab your ironing board, If you don’t have an ironing board use a flat surface, like a counter or table. (Place a towel under on the counter or table if no ironing board). The ironing board will absorb the heat and moisture from the iron. Be very careful not to iron anything flammable.

Step 3 –  Fill the iron with water if you iron takes water, If not use the spray bottle. Use filtered water to eliminate calcium build up in your iron and avoid clogging the steam spouts.

Step 4 – Layout the jersey on the narrow part of the ironing board so that the board separates the front and back of the jersey.

Step 5 – Heat up the iron, and put it on the lowest setting to start. Once heated upstart to iron the jersey back and forth, continuously moving the iron. If the wrinkles are not ironing out, set the iron one heat setting higher. On my iron I have numbers so I would start with 1, then 2.

Step 6 – Iron with folds and creases not against them or across. Remember at any time do not let the iron rest on the jersey. After ironing one side flip the jersey to the other side.

Step 7 – hang up the jersey immediately after ironing to prevent unnecessary wrinkles.

Tip: If your jersey is really wrinkled iron the jersey inside out first then iron the jersey like you normally would.

How to Repair Wrinkled Lettering or Decals to Jerseys

If your jersey looks like it is in rough shape with deep wrinkles on the lettering or decals, you may be able to iron them out. But keep in mind the jersey may be tarnished if it has been exposed to heat such as the dryer.

I have a soccer jersey that is a knock off that was given to me as a gift. I wore the jersey once and it was extremely hot when I wore it. I washed it and it is completely wrinkled. I can not put it in the dryer as it will definitely ruin it, so I put it back in the wash. I may have left it in the wash sitting for too long and that may be the reason for all the wrinkles.

This is just a reminder do not let it sit in the wash too long, hang it up to dry as soon as it’s done to prevent the jersey from deep wrinkling. If you’re in the same situation as I continue on.

Back of Kobe Bryant Jersey white

Use An Ironing Board

  1. Put the iron to the lowest heat setting.
  2. Put the jersey on the narrow part of the ironing board so that the board separates the front and back of the jersey.
  3. Use a towel or baking parchment paper over the area you are about to iron.
  4. Iron over the area moving it around, continue gradually if you feel it is not hot enough, put the iron on the next lowest setting. Do not let the iron sit in one spot for long.
  5. Continue ironing the rest of the jersey takin your time.

No Ironing Board No Problem

  1. Place a clean towel on the front and back of the jersey.
  2. Put the iron to the lowest heat setting.
  3. Use a towel or baking parchment paper over the area you are about to iron.
  4. Iron over the area moving it around, continue gradually if you feel it is not hot enough. Do not let the iron sit in one spot for long.
  5. Continue ironing the rest of the jersey takin your time

What type of iron should I use?

If you’re looking for an iron that is not too expensive and is great for jersey’s I highly recommend the Sunbeam Steam Master Iron from Amazon with an 8-foot cord along with an auto shut off for peace of mind it isn’t that expensive.

Please keep in mind if you wash your jersey and put it to hang first before you put an iron on it tips to washing further into this article.  Most wrinkles should come out if that doesn’t work then proceed on to the step by step instruction.

If you need an ironing board for your jersey’s or your clothes in general, I have an ironing board that is tabletop like the one located here. It’s small and portable, easily moving around without hitting the walls like the full-size ironing board. If you are looking for a full-size one you can check this one out here.

Kobe Bryant numbr 24 home jersey white

Is Jersey a Material?

A little background on the jersey According to Wikipedia jersey is a knit fabric pattern mostly used for our everyday clothing.

Jersey is a knit fabric used predominantly for clothing manufacture. It was originally made of wool, but is now made of woolcotton, and synthetic fibers. Since medieval times, JerseyChannel Islands, where the material was first produced, had been an important exporter of knitted goods[1] and the fabric in wool from Jersey became well known. The fabric can be a very stretchy single knitting, usually light-weight, jersey with one flat side and one piled side.[2] When made with a lightweight yarn, this is the fabric most often used to make T-shirts.[2] Or it can be a double knitted jersey (interlock jersey), with less stretch, that creates a heavier fabric of two single jerseys knitted together to leave the two flat sides on the outsides of the fabric, with the piles in the middle.[2] Interlock jersey is sometimes used as a knit for polo shirts, and is generally the preferred knit for those made from pima cotton. Jersey is considered to be an excellent fabric for draped garments, such as dresses, and women’s tops.

Know What Kind Of Material Your Jersey Is?

There are many types of jersey almost all major shoe companies have made jersey’s for the NBA at one point or another. If we want to include jersey material from your basketball team that you had made, the materials range from polyester, cotton, and a mixture of other materials. Some are very comfortable others feel like you are wearing a garbage bag while you play flapping in the wind as you run.

Touch alone you will be able to tell if you have worn enough jerseys in your life what you can and can’t do to them. Meaning if the material feels cheap you don’t want to wash it like regular clothing by putting it in the washer. If you want to preserve the life span of it you will want to hand dry. Regardless I highly recommend not putting any jersey in the dryer. Numbers and logos that have been ironed on or steam pressed can easily come off after a few washes and or start to fade.

The NBA swingman and authentic jerseys have both stitched numbers and logos. You can tell an authentic jersey not just by the stitch but also there sizing it is usually in number where the tag at the bottom right corner of the jersey. It may have a size 48 on it.

Here is the size chart for Authentic Jerseys.

(S) (M) (L) ( XL) (2XL) (3XL)
40 44 48 52 56 58

 

Swingman Jerseys: Most swingman jerseys are 100% Polyester, Machine washable, and line dried which means you hang it up to dry. Avoid putting any jersey in the dryer, Jerseys usually air dry pretty quickly. Remember they are made to dry quickly from your sweat also.

Authentic Jersey: What does Nike the sponsor of the NBA have to say about there authentic Jerseys. From there website Nike.com

This Authentic Nike NBA Connected Jersey features a lightweight, breathable design that’s engineered to help basketball’s greatest athletes perform on the game’s biggest stage.

The Only Jersey With Built-In Drops

Your Nike NBA Connected Jersey gives you next-level access to athletes, exclusive offers and the game you love. Download the NikeConnect app, then tap your smartphone to the tag at the bottom of your jersey to get started.

Made From Sustainable Materials

Each Nike NBA Connected Jersey is made from 100% recycled polyester. The premium material comes from plastic bottles that Nike has diverted from landfills since 2012—nearly 5 billion and counting.

Breathable, Flexible Comfort

Quick-drying, laser-perforated fabric delivers cool comfort with less cling. Split hems, angled shoulder seams and specially designed armholes let you move freely.

Product Details

  • Imported
  • Fabric: 100% recycled polyester
  • Machine wash
  • PowerTwill team and player details feature authentic zigzag stitching
  • Taped neckline and armholes provide a clean, durable finish

Authentic jerseys are the cream of the crop and are generally expensive, so you really want to take care of them. Mitchell & Ness is another company that makes retro jersey’s and like Authentics they are of high quality. Swingman Jerseys are also of good quality and you can buy and are less expensive and reasonably priced.

Back Kobe Bryant home jersey

Removing Blood Stains From Your Jersey

From time to time you may end up with someone else’s blood on your jersey because you crammed (dunked) one on him and he wasn’t able to get out of the way in time. So here are some tips:

1 – Turn the jersey inside out and run cold water.  Flush the bloodstain out as much as possible with water. Usually, this does the trick and works. If there is still a red stain move onto the next step.

2 – Fill a bucket of cold water big enough to submerge the jersey and rub the area where the stain is with your fingers, keep doing this every 5 mins leaving the jersey to sit in the cold water. If the stain has disappeared great. If not move on to step 3.

3 – Grab a Q-tip put water on it, now put a tiny bit of dish soap on it. Now rub the bloodstain with the Q-tip and rinse in the cold water and repeat till it comes out. If the jersey is white use hydrogen peroxide instead of the bloodstain let it sit. If needed rinse the jersey and repeat.

 

Treating a Perspiration Stain

Make a mixture of 1 tablespoon white vinegar and half a cup of water. Soak the perspiration stained area for about 30 minutes then wash the jersey.

If the stain is white or clear and has a greasy texture, this is most likely from antiperspirant and should be treated as a grease stain.

Treating an Antiperspirant Stain

Sometimes Antiperspirant stains are very hard to get out after constant wearing of deodorants and sweat stains from everyday wear. There are two ways to get rid of them. Both products we are going to use you have at home in your house.

Baking Soda and Water

Using baking soda and a little bit of water in a bowl you want to create a paste. You don’t want it to run too much it needs to be thick like butter. Now use an old clean toothbrush and scrub the area with the paste and brush the jersey in a circular motion. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then rinse and wash it out.

Dawn Dishwashing Liquid and Hydrogen Peroxide

Mix together hydrogen peroxide with Dawn dishwashing soap. Pour over the stained area and use a toothbrush to work it in. Let sit for a couple of hours then rinse and wash.

 

How to Wash Your Jersey

Always read the label on your jersey and find out what material is used and if unsure use google to do a search of how to wash that particular material. A sports jersey can be made up of all sorts of materials, but if you have more expensive jersey hand washing is your best bet. Wash with all other jerseys or separate from all other clothing.

Here some tips for washing your Jerseys.

  1. Wash the jersey inside out this will help protect the embroidery and or screen print.
  2. Wash with cold water and a little bit of laundry detergent. Do not use dishwashing soap or you will have a bubble bath in your laundry room.
  3. Wash your jersey as soon as you can to prevent any further permanent stains.
  4. Once washed take the jerseys out and unfold it so it is not inside out and hang it up to dry.
  5. Do not let them sit in the wash, so set a timer on your phone or watch and when done take it out right away.
  6. Do not put them in the dryer.
  7. Hang dry or towel dry will help protect the lettering and decal.

 

Never Use Chlorine Bleach

Never use bleach, even if the jersey is white and especially if the jersey is any other color. You are risking ruining your jersey as I have done in the past. We assume a jersey is white and we can throw it in with the white laundry, not the case. I realize sometimes clothes get trapped in the laundry and we forget about them and we see the color and we just put them all together and throw them in.

Learn the Pre-soak Fundamentals

After a practice or game, or even if you’re wearing the jersey on a hot day at the beach,  you are sweating a lot its a good idea if you know you have to wash the jersey you should rinse it out as soon as possible as you don’t want the stains to set in. So soak your jersey with water and hand scrub the areas which you think are most affected.

 

Much credit goes to the tips in this article used from housecleaningcentral.com and wikihow. They have great life hacks and home remedies that I highly recommend. You can use their search button on their site if you need help with a household or cleaning problem.

 

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