Look after your kit, and it'll look after you.
Whether it's matchday or training night, your kit's been through the mud (literally) - so here's how to keep it looking sharp. Different fabrics need different treatment, so find your product below.
Jerseys, Shorts, T-Shirts, Polos & Vests
Most of our performance wear (Hummel, Errea and Joma alike) is made from technical polyester - built to move, breathe and wick sweat, not built for a hot wash.
- Turn inside out before washing
- Machine wash cold, max 30°C
- Use a gentle/sports cycle where possible
- Don't use fabric softener - it clogs the fabric's breathability
- Don't tumble dry - air dry or line dry instead
- Don't iron directly on the fabric or any printed area
- Wash separately from anything with velcro, zips or rough fastenings that could snag the fabric
Printed & Personalised Kit (Names, Numbers, Badges)
Got your name or number on the back? Or a club badge? Extra care is needed here - printed and heat-pressed kit is more delicate than a plain shirt.
- Always turn inside out before washing
- Never iron directly onto a print - iron inside out, or avoid the printed area entirely
- Never tumble dry - heat is what cracks and peels prints over time
- Wash at 30°C, gentle cycle
- Avoid bleach or stain removers on printed areas
Hoodies, Sweatshirts & Half-Zip/Full-Zip Tops
These tend to be heavier fabric blends (poly-cotton or brushed fleece), so they need a slightly different approach.
- Machine wash cold, 30°C
- Turn inside out to protect any printed logos or branding
- Low tumble dry is usually fine (check the label) - but line drying will keep it looking newer for longer
- Don't iron over zips, poppers or printed badges
Jackets & Outerwear
Bench jackets and coats are built to handle sideline weather, so treat them a little more gently than your matchday kit.
- Check the care label first - padded and showerproof jackets often need hand or delicate-cycle washing
- Wash cold, and avoid fabric softener (it can affect water-repellent coatings)
- Don't tumble dry - hang to air dry
- Re-proof occasionally with a technical wash-in waterproofing product if it's a rain jacket, to keep it showerproof
Goalkeeper Kit
Padded jerseys and gloves work hard, so give them a bit of extra attention.
- Jerseys: wash as normal performance wear (30°C, inside out, no tumble dry) - go gently on any elbow padding
- Gloves: hand wash in lukewarm water only, no detergent needed (or a tiny amount of mild soap), rinse thoroughly and air dry away from direct heat or sunlight - never machine wash or tumble dry, it destroys the palm grip
Socks, Bags, Hats, Caps, Snoods & Bibs
The easy-care stuff.
- Socks & bibs: machine wash 30°C, tumble dry low is fine
- Bags: wipe clean with a damp cloth; if machine washable, use a gentle cycle and air dry
- Hats, caps & snoods: hand wash or gentle cycle, reshape while damp and air dry - don't tumble dry caps, it can warp the shape
Equipment (Towels, Balls, Shin Guards)
- Towels: machine washable at 30-40°C, tumble dry fine
- Balls: wipe clean with a damp cloth after muddy sessions - never machine wash
- Shin guards: wipe down with a damp cloth; hand wash any fabric sleeves/straps separately if needed
The golden rules, no matter the brand
-
- Cold wash, always - 30°C keeps colours, prints and performance fabric intact
- Inside out, every time - protects prints, badges and colour
- Skip the tumble dryer where you can - heat is kit's biggest enemy
- No fabric softener on performance fabric - it kills the breathability
- When in doubt, check the label - Hummel, Errea and Joma each use slightly different fabric blends across their ranges, so the label always wins
