Do Soccer Jerseys Shrink in the Wash?

Quality soccer jerseys made from 100 percent polyester barely shrink in the wash, usually less than one percent, when washed in cold water and air dried. Heat is the enemy: hot water and high dryer heat can shrink the fabric and damage printed numbers and logos. Wash cold, skip the hot dryer, and the fit you bought is the fit you keep. Our Kids Soccer Jersey Sizing Guide covers the fit side, and our fabrics and care guide goes deeper.

Why Polyester Holds Its Size

Most soccer jerseys are polyester because it wicks sweat, dries fast, and resists shrinking. Cotton and cotton blends are the shrinkers, and they are rare in real soccer jerseys for exactly that reason. What feels like shrinkage after a few washes is usually the fabric losing a bit of its factory stretch, or the jersey simply being outgrown. If the chest still fits but the sleeves feel shorter, your child grew. Check when to move up a jersey size to tell the difference.

Wash Rules That Protect the Fit

Turn the jersey inside out to protect prints, wash cold on a gentle cycle, and hang dry or tumble on the lowest heat. Never use hot water, never crank the dryer, and never iron directly on numbers or logos. These habits also keep colors bright and collars from warping, which matters when the jersey has to look decent all season. For the complete routine, see why sizing up is still smarter than counting on shrinkage to fix a too-big jersey: it will not shrink enough to matter.

Starting fresh with a jersey that fits from day one? Browse our Kids Jerseys collection, or contact us if you have care questions about a specific jersey.