Basketball Gear Washing Guide & De-Stinking Tips

When it comes to washing basketball gear, you have to be careful. One wrong step and you can easily ruin your equipment.

What’s the best way to clean basketball shoes and jerseys? What products should you use? Keep reading for everything you need to know.

Basketball jerseys are typically made of polyester, which means you can run them through the washing machine.

How to Wash Basketball Jersey Properly

Putting Your Basketball Jersey in the Washing Machine

Start by turning the jersey inside out; that will prevent any embroidery or stitching from coming off. We also recommend using a laundry bag as it’ll offer another layer of protection during the wash cycle.

While you can wash jerseys with other clothes, it’s important to sort the colors beforehand to prevent dye transfer.

Place the jersey in the washer and add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent. Avoid using fabric softener as it can prevent the fabric from wicking away moisture.

Once everything is in the machine, run a delicate cycle with cold water. Avoid using hot water as heat can damage and shrink synthetic materials.

After washing, take out the jersey and allow it to air dry. Do not tumble dry.

Hand Washing Your Basketball Jersey

Start by making a gentle cleaning solution. To do this, fill a sink with cold water and add a bit of ACTIVE Detergent.

Dissolve the detergent powder by agitating the water with your hand, then place your basketball jersey in. Make sure the entire item is completely saturated with the mixture and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.

Gently rub the fabric between your fingers to loosen any remaining sweat, then rinse with cold water. Continue until the jersey is free of soap suds.

After washing, let the jersey air dry in a well-ventilated space, ideally on a clothesline or drying rack. If you want, you can use a towel to get rid of some of the excess water.

Getting Rid of Stubborn Stains

Pre-soaking will often take care of stains. For more stubborn stains, however, you may need to use a stain remover.

Pro-tip: Never use hot water for stains as it will make them harder to remove.

Washing Machine Instructions for Basketball Socks

Most basketball socks are made of cotton, with a little bit of spandex and nylon mixed in between. This means you can easily machine wash them with your other gear.

Throwing Your Socks In the Washer

For the best results, turn the socks inside out; that will prevent lint from sticking to the surface. We also recommend using a laundry bag to keep them together during the cycle.

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

Next, add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent. Once everything is in, run a delicate wash cycle with cold water.

Once the cycle is finished, remove the socks, pair them up, and allow them to air dry on a drying rack or clothesline. We don’t recommend using the dryer as extreme heat can cause the fabric to shrink.

Can You Hand Wash Basketball Socks?

Fill a sink with cool water and dissolve a bit of ACTIVE Detergent to create a mild cleaning solution.

Place your socks in the sink, ensuring they are completely immersed, and let them sit for 15-20 minutes.

After soaking, gently rub them together to get rid of any remaining dirt or debris.

How to Clean and Deodorize Basketball Compression Gear

To wash your compression layers, you can use either a washing machine or wash them by hand.

Is it Safe to Machine Wash Compression Gear?

Compression gear is usually made of moisture-wicking material such as polyester so you can safely put them in the washer.

Start by turning them inside out to expose the dirty layer, then place them in a laundry bag. Make sure the bag is closed properly and throw it in the washer along with the rest of your laundry (you can also add a few old towels to balance the load).

Add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent to the tub, then run a gentle wash cycle with cold water. Avoid using fabric softener as it will limit the fabric’s moisture-wicking abilities. Bleach should also be avoided.

Once the cycle is finished, hang up the compression layers and allow them to air dry.

Hand Washing Your Compression Gear

Fill a sink with cold water and mix in a bit of ACTIVE Detergent to create the same gentle cleaning solution as before.

Place your compression gear in the soapy water and let it sit for 15-20 minutes; that will give the same cleaning solution time to work its magic.

After soaking, rinse the layers clean with cold water. Gently press the excess water out of the garments, then let them air dry.

The Proper Way to Clean Your Basketball Shoes

Have beat up basketball shoes that you want to clean? Here’s how to do it.

Washing Shoes With a Soft Brush

To clean the sole of your basketball shoes, we recommend using a soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush or shoe brush works great).

Create a cleaning solution with water and a mild laundry detergent like the one by ACTIVE, then dip the brush into the solution and use it to remove surface debris.

After rinsing the brush with clean water, you can use it to clean the upper portion of the shoe. If necessary, you can also wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

When you’re finished, wipe the basketball shoes with a dampened soft cloth, then let the shoes air dry. Never put them in the dryer.

Pro-tip: For shoes that are made of leather, we recommend just wiping the basketball shoes with a slightly dampened cloth. Let the leather air dry overnight afterward.

Getting Rid of that Icky Odor

The best way to get rid of odors is to use a deodorizing spray. Simply apply it to the inside of the shoes and let it dry. If necessary, you can speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer on low heat.

Alternatively, you can sprinkle some baking soda into each shoe; the powder will automatically absorb the smell. Not only that but it will also absorb excess moisture, which facilitates odor growth. For the best results, leave the baking soda in the shoes overnight, then remove it in the morning. If the odor is still present, you can repeat the steps again.