Keeping Football Uniform New and Clean
The Mountaineers of Morgantown are the latest to step up their football fashion, with new West Virginia football uniforms evidently hitting the field in the 2012 season. Plenty of options will be at their disposal, with the usual looks — white, gold and blue pants and jerseys — as well as a new addition in the form of a grey West Virginia helmet and matching sports jerseys and pants. Hit the jump for plenty of shots, and stay tuned for an official unveiling of the new grey West Virginia uniform in the coming weeks. These were forwarded to me by NB reader Travis, so I don’t know the original sources. If you own the rights, please let me know so I can give out due credit.
Keeping football uniforms looking great doesn’t need to be such a chore. It would be nice if all of the pee-wee and Pop Warner leagues had managers who whisked away the dirty uniforms and a nice, clean one magically appeared on game day. But since that is reserved for the chosen few, here are some tips for keeping football uniforms looking their best.
1. Know Your Material
Almost every football uniform is made from heavy weight stretchable polyester knit or mesh. The fabric is durable, has stretch for ease of movement and is actually easier to care for than cotton.
2. Learn the Presoak
Presoaking is essential in getting your uniform clean. After the game, rinse off the uniform in a utility sink to remove as much loose dirt and mud as possible. If you don’t have a utility sink, Hang the uniform over a clothesline and spray it down with a hose.
Next fill a large sink or bucket with warm – not hot – water. Add a capful of heavy duty laundry detergent and one cup of baking soda; then soak the uniform for at least one hour. It is even better if it can soak overnight.
It is important to know if the water in your area is hard or soft. Hard water contains an excess of minerals that make detergents much less effective in removing soil. If you have hard water, your uniform will be harder to clean and you will need to add some water conditioner to your presoak bucket. This is not fabric softener; it is an additive that helps your detergent work better.
3. No Steroids – No Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine Bleach has many appropriate uses, just like steroids, but not in football. It may be tempting to use chlorine bleach on white or even gray uniforms but it is not effective for polyester fabrics and can even damage the material.
Instead, use an oxygen or all-fabric bleach to brighten and whiten. Again, allow the uniform to soak for at least one hour to get the best results.
About the Author
He is a professional soccer player and has a web site of football uniforms, sports jerseys, and soccer jerseys of all teams and club soccer uniform replicas.
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