Can You Put Soccer Jerseys in the Dryer?

You can put a soccer jersey in the dryer on low heat in a pinch, but hang drying is much safer. Dryer heat is the top cause of peeling numbers, cracked prints, and weakened moisture-wicking finishes. If you need it dry fast, ten minutes on low to take off the dampness, then hang it up, is the gentlest compromise.

What Dryer Heat Does to a Jersey

Polyester itself can handle warmth, but everything else on the shirt cannot. Heat softens the adhesive on heat-pressed numbers and names, which leads to curling edges and peeling. It also breaks down moisture-wicking treatments faster, so the shirt stops pulling sweat away as well. Repeated high-heat cycles will age a jersey long before its time.

The Safe Way to Dry

Hang the jersey on a hanger or lay it flat in a breezy spot, away from direct sun for dark colors. Polyester dries quickly on its own, often in an hour or two indoors. If you must use the dryer, choose the lowest heat setting, turn the jersey inside out, and pull it out while still slightly damp. Never use high heat or the sanitize setting on a printed jersey.

Keep the Whole Routine Heat-Free

The dryer is not the only heat risk. Hot wash water sets stains and stresses prints, and ironing can melt numbers outright. Our guide to washing a kids soccer jersey covers the full low-heat routine, and can you iron a soccer jersey explains the wrinkle fix that does not involve a hot iron.

This page is part of Soccer Jersey Fabrics and Care in the Complete Kids Soccer Jersey Guide.

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