Your child\u2019s team-issued uniform likely includes a jersey, hat, pants or shorts, and socks. There may be additional pieces such as a warm-up shirt or other spirit wear.<\/p>\n
Without the official uniform, your young athlete can\u2019t go on the field. As such, all pieces should be treated with extreme care during the washing process to avoid any damage, shrinking or discoloring.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a step-by-step game plan for uniform washing:<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mabelslabels.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Untitled-design-14.jpg\")
<\/h4>\nYour step-by-step game plan to washing kids sports gear:<\/strong><\/h3>\nStep 1: Label everything<\/a><\/strong>
\nLabel all uniform pieces with your child\u2019s name and number to prevent mix-ups with teammates. The Mabel\u2019s Labels Kids\u2019 Sports Label Pack is designed especially for this.<\/p>\nStep 2: Check the tag<\/strong>
\nMany jerseys are made from high-tech, moisture-wicking fabrics. These may require:<\/p>\n\n- Cold water only<\/li>\n
- Hang to dry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Plan ahead so everything has time to fully air-dry before the next game or practice.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Pre-treat like a pro<\/strong>
\nUniform stains can include:<\/p>\n\n- Dirt, grass, sand, clay, turf<\/li>\n
- Gatorade<\/li>\n
- Post-game ice cream<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Apply stain remover generously before washing. For tougher spots:<\/p>\n
\n- <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \n
\n- Pre-soak in the laundry tub<\/li>\n
- Or scrub with an old toothbrush<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A side note about laundry products: the best advice and recommendations come from other sports parents. Once at a tournament in Pittsburgh, I struck up a conversation with a random mom about the difficulties of washing white baseball pants. She happily shared all her trade secrets and laundry hacks \u2014 including one I still haven\u2019t tried, which was to take an old-fashioned laundry soap bar, run it over a cheese grater, and add the grated-up flakes to the washload.<\/p>\n
\n- Step 4: <\/strong>After proactively treating the stains, launder the uniform at the appropriate water temperature. Take advantage of any bonus features on your washing machine, such as \u201cpre-soak,\u201d \u201cheavy soil\u201d or \u201cextra rinse”.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to laundry stripping your kids’ sports gear (for next-level stink)<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf regular washing isn\u2019t cutting it, try \u201claundry stripping.\u201d<\/p>\n
This method involves soaking clean clothes in a tub with:<\/p>\n
\n- Water<\/li>\n
- Borax<\/li>\n
- Washing soda<\/li>\n
- Powdered detergent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
After about four hours:<\/p>\n
\n- Gently wring out the clothes<\/li>\n
- Run a final rinse cycle<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
It\u2019s a deep clean that can help tackle stubborn odors.<\/p>\n
Tips for washing baseball and soccer gear<\/strong><\/h3>\nHere are a few simple steps to keep your child\u2019s important (and expensive!) sports gear in prime condition.<\/p>\n
Washing footwear<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Take cleats outside and knock off dirt and grass<\/li>\n
- Wipe mud with a soft cloth<\/li>\n
- Remove insoles if wet<\/li>\n
- \u00a0Let everything dry in the sun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to wash soccer shin pads<\/strong><\/p>\nOn busy weekends:<\/p>\n
\n- Spritz with disinfectant spray to control bacteria<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For a deeper clean:<\/p>\n
\n- Scrub with soapy water (inside and out)<\/li>\n
- Soak for 15 minutes<\/li>\n
- Rinse well<\/li>\n
- Dry in the sun<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Most shin guards can<\/em> go in the washing machine:<\/p>\n\n- Use a pillowcase or delicates bag<\/li>\n
- Choose a gentle cycle<\/li>\n
- Always air dry (never the dryer)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to clean catcher\u2019s gear for baseball or softball<\/strong><\/p>\nA catcher\u2019s leg guards and chest protector have multiple straps and buckles that aren\u2019t well-suited for the washing machine. It\u2019s best to perform a full cleaning before or after the season:<\/p>\n
\n- Manually scrub with soapy water<\/li>\n
- Rinse thoroughly<\/li>\n
- Hang outside to dry completely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Washing baseball and softball helmets\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nCatcher\u2019s masks (traditional):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Wipe inner padding with a disinfecting wipe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Goalie-style masks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Remove padded inserts (if possible)<\/li>\n
- Wash separately in a pillowcase or bag<\/li>\n
- Dry outdoors or on low heat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Batting helmets:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Wipe the outer shell<\/li>\n
- Leave inner foam alone<\/li>\n
- Air out after games to prevent odor buildup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tips for cleaning smelly baseball and softball gloves<\/strong><\/h3>\nLeather and water don\u2019t mix, so avoid dunking a baseball glove in a washing tub or spraying it with a hose. Instead, manually clean it with a soft brush or towel, as suggested in these expert tips<\/a>.<\/p>\nSimilarly, batting gloves are made from specialized materials and require careful cleaning. Check the specific company\u2019s website for care and maintenance instructions.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\nHow to clean baseball caps<\/strong><\/h3>\nI don\u2019t believe in those plastic cap cages for the dishwasher or washing machine.<\/p>\n
In my experience, soaking a hat can ruin its shape.<\/p>\n
Instead:<\/p>\n
<\/h4>\nYour step-by-step game plan to washing kids sports gear:<\/strong><\/h3>\nStep 1: Label everything<\/a><\/strong>
\nLabel all uniform pieces with your child\u2019s name and number to prevent mix-ups with teammates. The Mabel\u2019s Labels Kids\u2019 Sports Label Pack is designed especially for this.<\/p>\nStep 2: Check the tag<\/strong>
\nMany jerseys are made from high-tech, moisture-wicking fabrics. These may require:<\/p>\n\n- Cold water only<\/li>\n
- Hang to dry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Plan ahead so everything has time to fully air-dry before the next game or practice.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Pre-treat like a pro<\/strong>
\nUniform stains can include:<\/p>\n\n- Dirt, grass, sand, clay, turf<\/li>\n
- Gatorade<\/li>\n
- Post-game ice cream<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Apply stain remover generously before washing. For tougher spots:<\/p>\n
\n- <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \n
\n- Pre-soak in the laundry tub<\/li>\n
- Or scrub with an old toothbrush<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A side note about laundry products: the best advice and recommendations come from other sports parents. Once at a tournament in Pittsburgh, I struck up a conversation with a random mom about the difficulties of washing white baseball pants. She happily shared all her trade secrets and laundry hacks \u2014 including one I still haven\u2019t tried, which was to take an old-fashioned laundry soap bar, run it over a cheese grater, and add the grated-up flakes to the washload.<\/p>\n
\n- Step 4: <\/strong>After proactively treating the stains, launder the uniform at the appropriate water temperature. Take advantage of any bonus features on your washing machine, such as \u201cpre-soak,\u201d \u201cheavy soil\u201d or \u201cextra rinse”.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to laundry stripping your kids’ sports gear (for next-level stink)<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf regular washing isn\u2019t cutting it, try \u201claundry stripping.\u201d<\/p>\n
This method involves soaking clean clothes in a tub with:<\/p>\n
\n- Water<\/li>\n
- Borax<\/li>\n
- Washing soda<\/li>\n
- Powdered detergent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
After about four hours:<\/p>\n
\n- Gently wring out the clothes<\/li>\n
- Run a final rinse cycle<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
It\u2019s a deep clean that can help tackle stubborn odors.<\/p>\n
Tips for washing baseball and soccer gear<\/strong><\/h3>\nHere are a few simple steps to keep your child\u2019s important (and expensive!) sports gear in prime condition.<\/p>\n
Washing footwear<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Take cleats outside and knock off dirt and grass<\/li>\n
- Wipe mud with a soft cloth<\/li>\n
- Remove insoles if wet<\/li>\n
- \u00a0Let everything dry in the sun<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to wash soccer shin pads<\/strong><\/p>\nOn busy weekends:<\/p>\n
\n- Spritz with disinfectant spray to control bacteria<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For a deeper clean:<\/p>\n
\n- Scrub with soapy water (inside and out)<\/li>\n
- Soak for 15 minutes<\/li>\n
- Rinse well<\/li>\n
- Dry in the sun<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Most shin guards can<\/em> go in the washing machine:<\/p>\n\n- Use a pillowcase or delicates bag<\/li>\n
- Choose a gentle cycle<\/li>\n
- Always air dry (never the dryer)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to clean catcher\u2019s gear for baseball or softball<\/strong><\/p>\nA catcher\u2019s leg guards and chest protector have multiple straps and buckles that aren\u2019t well-suited for the washing machine. It\u2019s best to perform a full cleaning before or after the season:<\/p>\n
\n- Manually scrub with soapy water<\/li>\n
- Rinse thoroughly<\/li>\n
- Hang outside to dry completely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Washing baseball and softball helmets\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nCatcher\u2019s masks (traditional):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Wipe inner padding with a disinfecting wipe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Goalie-style masks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Remove padded inserts (if possible)<\/li>\n
- Wash separately in a pillowcase or bag<\/li>\n
- Dry outdoors or on low heat<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Batting helmets:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Wipe the outer shell<\/li>\n
- Leave inner foam alone<\/li>\n
- Air out after games to prevent odor buildup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tips for cleaning smelly baseball and softball gloves<\/strong><\/h3>\nLeather and water don\u2019t mix, so avoid dunking a baseball glove in a washing tub or spraying it with a hose. Instead, manually clean it with a soft brush or towel, as suggested in these expert tips<\/a>.<\/p>\nSimilarly, batting gloves are made from specialized materials and require careful cleaning. Check the specific company\u2019s website for care and maintenance instructions.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\nHow to clean baseball caps<\/strong><\/h3>\nI don\u2019t believe in those plastic cap cages for the dishwasher or washing machine.<\/p>\n
In my experience, soaking a hat can ruin its shape.<\/p>\n
Instead:<\/p>\n
\nLabel all uniform pieces with your child\u2019s name and number to prevent mix-ups with teammates. The Mabel\u2019s Labels Kids\u2019 Sports Label Pack is designed especially for this.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Check the tag<\/strong> Plan ahead so everything has time to fully air-dry before the next game or practice.<\/p>\n Step 3: Pre-treat like a pro<\/strong> Apply stain remover generously before washing. For tougher spots:<\/p>\n A side note about laundry products: the best advice and recommendations come from other sports parents. Once at a tournament in Pittsburgh, I struck up a conversation with a random mom about the difficulties of washing white baseball pants. She happily shared all her trade secrets and laundry hacks \u2014 including one I still haven\u2019t tried, which was to take an old-fashioned laundry soap bar, run it over a cheese grater, and add the grated-up flakes to the washload.<\/p>\n If regular washing isn\u2019t cutting it, try \u201claundry stripping.\u201d<\/p>\n This method involves soaking clean clothes in a tub with:<\/p>\n After about four hours:<\/p>\n It\u2019s a deep clean that can help tackle stubborn odors.<\/p>\n Here are a few simple steps to keep your child\u2019s important (and expensive!) sports gear in prime condition.<\/p>\n Washing footwear<\/strong><\/p>\n How to wash soccer shin pads<\/strong><\/p>\n On busy weekends:<\/p>\n For a deeper clean:<\/p>\n Most shin guards can<\/em> go in the washing machine:<\/p>\n How to clean catcher\u2019s gear for baseball or softball<\/strong><\/p>\n A catcher\u2019s leg guards and chest protector have multiple straps and buckles that aren\u2019t well-suited for the washing machine. It\u2019s best to perform a full cleaning before or after the season:<\/p>\n Catcher\u2019s masks (traditional):<\/strong><\/p>\n Goalie-style masks:<\/strong><\/p>\n Batting helmets:<\/strong><\/p>\n Leather and water don\u2019t mix, so avoid dunking a baseball glove in a washing tub or spraying it with a hose. Instead, manually clean it with a soft brush or towel, as suggested in these expert tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n Similarly, batting gloves are made from specialized materials and require careful cleaning. Check the specific company\u2019s website for care and maintenance instructions.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n I don\u2019t believe in those plastic cap cages for the dishwasher or washing machine.<\/p>\n In my experience, soaking a hat can ruin its shape.<\/p>\n Instead:<\/p>\n
\nMany jerseys are made from high-tech, moisture-wicking fabrics. These may require:<\/p>\n\n
\nUniform stains can include:<\/p>\n\n
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How to laundry stripping your kids’ sports gear (for next-level stink)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Tips for washing baseball and soccer gear<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Washing baseball and softball helmets\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Tips for cleaning smelly baseball and softball gloves<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to clean baseball caps<\/strong><\/h3>\n