Fall 2021 – fading logos
Since we first wrote this blog post, we’ve switched to all sublimated jerseys. Which makes ordering jerseys more complicated, but it means you never have to worry about your number peeling off.
Our latest apparel challenge has been NB heat transfers, which include the NB logo and the Cincy SC logo that they put on our game shorts. Our advice: don’t put them in the dryer, and in general follow all of the care instructions.
Fall 2019 – peeling numbers
Background: our first batch of 60 white “hoop” jerseys had navy numbers. The 2nd batch of around 220 jerseys had orange numbers. It was Gazelle’s mistake. After considering reordering, and attempting to remove the orange numbers, we decided to leave the orange numbers and put navy numbers on top.
We first heard about a possible issue with the navy-over-orange numbers at the friendlies on Saturday. One player who had already washed her jersey had noticed that the navy was peeling off a bit. On the Monday following, the mother of another player sent me this photo of the numbers peeling off:

I asked that mom what laundry process she followed. The answer:
Tide liquid. Gentle cycle. Cold water. Regular dryer. Mom #2 had a similar answer: Arm & Hammer detergent, reg cycle, reg dryer.
Symbology
You may find the soccer numbering system confusing, but it’s got nothing on laundry symbols! Here’s the tag from our NB jerseys with the explanations in plain English:

The symbols
- Wash at or below 40 degrees Celsius (104 F)
- Do not bleach
- Do not tumble dry
- Iron at low temp
- Do not dry clean
- Further instructions: wash inside out with like colors, don’t soak, iron on reverse
Our test
We washed two jerseys with navy-over-orange numbers with Tide, on warm, normal cycle. After 49 minutes in the washer, the numbers were fine. After 30 minutes on a hanger, the shirts were dry and the numbers were intact.
Summary
- Consider washing inside out
- Keep ’em out of the dryer
- Put on a hanger and air dry for about 30 minutes
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