At CourtSide Team, we know how much your favourite basketball jersey means to you. 

 

Heat-pressed elements such as player names, numbers and team or sponsor logos require proper care to keep them looking their best. To help you extend the life of your uniform and maintain its colour and finish, we’ve created a simple guide for cleaning your basketball jersey, whether by hand or in the washing machine.

HOW TO MACHINE WASH YOUR BASKETBALL JERSEY

If you want to let your washing machine do the work in removing stubborn stains from your basketball jersey, we’ve got you covered with these steps: 

1. TREAT STAINS PRE-WASH

Remove any tough blood or food stains from your basketball jersey before throwing it in the washing machine. Dampen the stained spot with cold water and apply a pre-wash stain removal agent of your choice directly to the stain.  

2. SEPARATE COLOURS FOR WASH 

If you’re wondering whether basketball socks, jerseys and shorts should be washed separately, the answer is yes. Separating light and dark colours helps prevent colour transfer during the wash, and it also ensures each piece receives the right care. Basketball uniforms often combine different fabrics and colour tones, so washing them together with everyday garments isn’t recommended. Items with zippers, hooks or rough textures, like jeans, can catch on polyester fibres, while cotton fibres from other clothing can cling to heat-pressed logos and numbers, affecting their appearance. Keeping your basketball gear separate will help maintain its quality and longevity.

3. FLIP YOUR JERSEY INSIDE OUT

Before placing your basketball jersey in the washing machine, turn it inside out (for reversible jerseys, make sure the secondary side is facing outward) to help protect patches, logos and stitching from abrasion.

4. SELECT A COLD WATER MACHINE WASH ON THE DELICATE CYCLE

Use cold water when washing your basketball jersey to help maintain the colour, quality and finish of the decals.

5. USE A BLEACH-FREE & COLOUR-SAFE DETERGENT

Wash your basketball uniform with a bleach-free and colour-safe powder detergent for the best results. Several liquid detergents contain ingredients that are harmful to polyester jerseys.

6. HANG & AIR DRY

After washing, turn your jersey right side out. Do not tumble dry or iron over the design, as the high heat can affect the finish of prints. Instead, air dry your jersey in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources, to help maintain its quality. For extra protection, you can cover the jersey with a light fabric while it dries to reduce sun exposure.

HOW TO HAND WASH YOUR BASKETBALL JERSEY

If you have the time, hand washing your jersey allows for a thorough clean while keeping your kit in top condition. The steps are similar to machine washing, including preparing your uniform for washing and air drying it properly.

• Flip your basketball jersey inside out (for reversible jerseys, make sure the secondary side is facing outward), so the badges and applications are protected.
• Fill up a tub with luke warm water and a few pumps of colour-safe detergent and soak your basketball jersey for 10-15 minutes.
• For stubborn stains or harsh stains, use your hands to remove any stains or marks. Squeeze the jerseys and swirls the water around it to ensure the whole kit is cleaned.
• Rinse your jersey using clean water to remove any soap remnants.
• Gently wring it to get rid of excess water.
• Hang it out to air dry after flipping it back to the primary side. Do not tumble dry or iron over the design

Whenever possible, we recommend hand washing your jerseys for the best care. That said, after a long session on the court, using the washing machine is perfectly fine.

These simple steps can also be applied to basketball shorts and socks. Following this care guide will help keep your entire basketball uniform looking fresh and brand new after every wash.