Cleaning Game-Worn Jerseys -- REALLY

I can deal with the scuff marks, blood, etc. It's the BO that is more the problem. Any suggestions on how to properly wash/deodorize a jersey while maintaining its patina? Dry clean? Permanent press? Bleach?

[Q]KenP Wrote:

I can deal with the scuff marks, blood, etc. It's the BO that is more the problem. Any suggestions on how to properly wash/deodorize a jersey while maintaining its patina? Dry clean? Permanent press? Bleach?[/q]

I would avoid chlorine bleach, but otherwise, the thing is polyester: I doubt it would be possible for you to destroy it. I recommend a good long soak in detergent/OxyClean/hot water. If that doesn't take the BO out, then you should consider a new washing machine.

Kyle

In other words, throwing them in the washing machine should actually be safe.

jtwcornell91 Wrote:
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> In other words, throwing them in the washing
> machine should actually be safe.
I suspect the team managers don't wash them by hand.

jtwcornell91 Wrote:
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> In other words, throwing them in the washing
> machine should actually be safe.


I'd only worry about using a washing machine if a jersey was autographed and I wasn't sure about the type of ink that was used.

> I'd only worry about using a washing machine if a
> jersey was autographed and I wasn't sure about the
> type of ink that was used.

I think in that case I'd wash it first, *then* get it signed, and then go to great lengths to make sure I never need to wash it again. And if I did get something on it, I'd hand wash it in cold water with very little detergent.

Kyle

Here are the care instructions:
1) Machine wash at cold setting
2) Do not use bleach
3) Tumble dry at low setting
4) Do not iron
5) Do not dry clean

Those are from the backside of the tab/tag inside my jersey.

Hope that helps.

Febreze the hell out of it. That stuff works. When I was in school and would come home too drunk to shower but reeking of alcohol and cigarette smoke (not my own, ew) to a degree where I could not concentrate on falling asleep, I used to febreze myself to get rid of the smell. It's probably a whopper of a carcinogen that I didn't need in my hair/on my body, but I'm most likely up for a bout or two with cancer anyway, so I might as well smell nice. So yeah, hit the jersey with some febreze. It'll smell girly for a day or so, but then it will mellow out.