Remove Grass, Mud & Sweat Stains from Soccer (Football) Jerseys

Turn the jersey inside out. Treat grass with rubbing alcohol or an enzyme detergent, mud by letting it dry then brushing and pre-treating, and sweat/odour with a baking-soda or oxygen-bleach (colour-safe) soak. Wash cold on gentle, no fabric softener or chlorine bleach, and air-dry only.

Before You Start (Protect the Jersey)

• Check the care label and spot-test any solution on an inconspicuous area.

• Turn inside out to protect names, numbers, and crests.

• Avoid heat (hot water, dryers, hot irons). Heat can set stains and warp prints.

• Never mix chemicals (e.g., hydrogen peroxide with vinegar or chlorine bleach).

Materials Checklist (pick what you need)

• Liquid laundry detergent (enzyme or sports detergent)

• Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%)

• Oxygen bleach (colour-safe; e.g., sodium percarbonate)

• Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

• White vinegar (for odour only; do not mix with peroxide)

• Soft brush or old soft toothbrush

• Clean white cloths or paper towels

• Mesh laundry bag (optional for machine wash)

1) Grass Stains (chlorophyll/dye stains)

Best for: green marks from tackles, slides, or training.

Method A — Rubbing Alcohol Pre-Treatment (fast & effective)

1. Blot the stain with a dry cloth to remove surface moisture.

2. Place a clean cloth under the stained area.

3. Dab the stain with 70% isopropyl alcohol (you can dilute 1:1 with water for sensitive colours). Do not flood prints.

4. Blot—don’t rub—until green transfers to the cloth.

5. Rinse with cold water.

6. Work a little liquid detergent into the spot for 5 minutes.

7. Rinse, then launder cold, gentle cycle. Air-dry and re-check. Repeat if needed.

Method B — Enzyme Detergent or Oxygen-Bleach Soak (gentle for larger areas)

1. Mix a basin of cold to lukewarm water (20–30°C / 68–86°F) with enzyme detergent (per label).

2. Soak inside-out for 30 minutes.

3. Gently brush from the back of the fabric to lift the stain outwards.

4. Rinse cold, then wash cold, gentle. Air-dry.

Tip: If a shadow remains, repeat the pre-treat rather than moving to high heat or harsh chemicals.

2) Mud Stains (soil/particulate)

Key rule: Let mud dry completely first—wet mud smears deeper into polyester.

1. When dry, shake and brush off as much dirt as possible (outside).

2. Turn inside out; apply liquid detergent directly and let sit 10–15 minutes.

3. For stubborn soil, soak in cold water with a bit of detergent for 30 minutes.

4. Gently brush from the back; rinse thoroughly.

5. Wash cold, gentle. Air-dry.

6. Still visible? Try a short oxygen-bleach soak (follow label), then rewash cold.

3) Sweat & Odour (and light yellowing on whites)

For odour build-up

1. Make a baking-soda soak: 4 cups (1 litre) cold water + 1 tbsp baking soda. Scale up as needed.

2. Soak 30–60 minutes.

3. Rinse, then wash cold, gentle. Air-dry.

For white jerseys with mild yellowing

1. Soak in colour-safe oxygen bleach (per product directions) with cold to lukewarm water for 1–2 hours.

2. Rinse well, wash cold, and air-dry.

Avoid chlorine bleach—it can damage polyester fibres and weaken adhesives on names/numbers.

Drying & Aftercare

• Air-dry only. Hang on a wide hanger or lay flat, away from direct sunlight.

• Check before drying. Heat sets stains—if any mark remains, repeat treatment.

• Do not iron prints. If you must iron the fabric, use a cool iron on the reverse with a pressing cloth, avoiding crests and numbers.

Quick Troubleshooting

• Old, set-in grass stain: Alternate alcohol dabbing and enzyme soak; be patient with multiple short rounds.

• Mud “ghost” outline after washing: Do a brief oxygen-bleach soak, then a cold rewash.

• Persistent locker-room smell: Add baking soda to the wash and skip softener. Softener can trap odours in polyester.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Hot water, tumble dryers, or high-heat irons

• Chlorine bleach or harsh stain sticks on printed areas

• Scrubbing directly on names/numbers/crests

• Mixing chemicals (e.g., vinegar with peroxide; any bleach with ammonia)

• Washing with zips or rough items that can snag mesh

FAQ

Will rubbing alcohol damage a jersey?
70% isopropyl is generally safe for polyester when dabbed and followed by a cold rinse. Always spot-test first and keep it away from printed graphics.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide on grass stains?
For white jerseys only and 3% solution—spot-test first. Never mix with vinegar or chlorine bleach. For coloured kits, prefer alcohol/enzyme methods.

What temperature is best to wash?
Cold is safest (gentle cycle). Lukewarm is acceptable for soaking grass stains, but avoid hot water.

Do I need a mesh laundry bag?
It’s optional, but it helps protect crests and numbers during a gentle machine wash.