How to Clean Soccer Gear & Remove Sweat Odors

For those who play soccer, it’s crucial to keep your gear clean. For one thing, it’ll minimize the amount of residue that gets on your clothes and equipment. Not only that but playing with clean gear often leads to better performance on the field.

Having said that, soccer gear should not be washed the same way as normal clothes.

What’s the best way to clean your soccer gear? What products should you use? Keep reading for all the answers.

How to Get the Stink Out of Your Soccer Jersey

Soccer jerseys are made of synthetic materials such as polyester, which naturally expels sweat and moisture. Having said that, they can still develop odors.

Preventing Odors

Preventing odors from developing is just as important as eliminating them. The biggest tip that we can give is to always air out your soccer jersey after a game.

For the best results, let it air out for at least 15 minutes.

Soaking the Jersey

Excessively smelly jerseys should be pre-soaked before washing. To do this, fill a sink with water and ACTIVE Detergent, mix to combine, then submerge the jersey.

Make sure it’s completely saturated with the solution and let it sit for at least 20 minutes (you can also leave it submerged overnight).

Washing Your Jersey in the Washer

Turn your jersey inside out and place it in a laundry bag. The bag will act as a shield, preventing any logos or graphics from peeling or cracking.

Make sure the laundry bag is closed properly and load it into the washing machine.

Add one scoop of a mild detergent such as the one by ACTIVE, which is specially formulated for activewear, and run a gentle wash cycle. Make sure to use cold water; hot water can damage the fabric.

If necessary, you can also pause the washer to allow the jerseys to soak; that can help to get rid of excess dirt and grass stains.

Tip: While you can wash your soccer jerseys with other items, remember not to mix light-colored garments with dark-colored ones as it can lead to dye transfer.

Once the cycle is finished, take out the jersey and let it air dry naturally in a well-ventilated area. Depending on how thick the material is, it can take a couple of days for it to dry completely.

Handwashing Your Jersey

Fill a large sink or tub with water and dissolve half a scoop of ACTIVE Detergent to create a soapy mixture.

Once the detergent is dissolved, place your jersey in the sink, making sure it’s completely dissolved.

Let it sit for at least 15-20 minutes, then gently rub the material to remove any lingering oils and dirt.

When you’re finished, rinse the garment thoroughly with clean water and hang it up to dry. Do not leave them under direct sunlight as that can cause the colors to fade.

Washing Instructions for Soccer Socks

Putting Soccer Socks in the Washer

The easiest way to clean your socks is by tossing them into the washing machine. If you have multiple pairs, you’ll want to separate them by color to prevent unwanted bleeding.

For the best results, turn the socks inside out and place them in a laundry bag.

Once everything is in the washing machine, add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and run a gentle wash cycle with cold water. Allow them to air dry afterwards. You can also use the dryer – just make sure to use the lowest heat setting.

Handwashing Your Socks

Alternatively, you can wash them by hand. Start by filling a sink or basin with water and adding a it of ACTIVE Detergent.

Turn the socks inside out and put them in the soapy water. Gently move them through the water to saturate the fabric, then let them to soak for 10-15 minutes.

Rinse with clean water afterwards. Avoid twisting or wringing the socks as that can stretch the material.

Instead, you can use a clean towel to press out some of the excess water, then hang them up to dry.

How to Wash Soccer Shorts

Soccer shorts are similar to jerseys in that they are typically made out of polyester.

This means you can either toss them in the washing machine or wash them by hand.

For the former, make sure to use a gentle cleaner such as ACTIVE Detergent and run a delicate cycle with cold water. And as always, wash them with like colors to prevent bleeding.

As far as hand washing goes, you can follow the same set of instructions that we described for soccer jerseys above.

The Best Way to Clean & Deodorize Soccer Shin Guards and Pads

Putting Shin Guards and Pads into the Washing Machine

Shin guards are machine washable as long as you use a gentle cycle and follow the instructions on the care label.

If your shin guards have a plastic casting, make sure to use a laundry bag; that will prevent them from getting damaged during the cycle. If you don’t have a mesh bag, you can use a clean pillowcase.

Once they are in the washer, add a bit of ACTIVE Detergent and run a gentle wash cycle. Let them air dry afterwards.

Handwashing Your Shin Guards and Pads

If they’re not too dirty, you can also wash them by hand. Using a soft bristled brush, gently scrub the surface with soapy water to get rid of the dirt and debris. To neutralize odor, you can add a little bit of vinegar to the solution.

How to Wash Soccer Cleats

Start by getting rid of the excess dirt; you can do this by gently hitting them against each other sole to sole. From there, scrub the bottom with a soft brush; that will help loosen any dirt or mud that is attached to the sole.

Next, create a soapy solution. Mix a bit of ACTIVE Detergent with warm water and dip a soft bristled brush into the mixture.

Using the brush, clean the soles of the cleats. Depending on how dirty it is, you may have to rinse the brush under clean water a few times.

Do the same for the top and sides of your cleats. Just remember to remove the laces before you get started.

Note: Never put your soccer cleats in the washing machine as that can damage them beyond repair.