Yes, football pants with pads can be washed together, but it’s important to follow the care instructions on the label. Most football pants with pads are machine-washable, but they should be washed on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Avoid using bleach or fabric softener, which can damage the pads or affect their performance. Additionally, it’s important to air dry the pants rather than using a dryer, as high heat can damage the pads or cause them to shift out of place.
You can wash your football pants with pads in them… You should always try to take the pads out of the pants before washing not only to save on the wear and tear on the pads but also because it will help the water get deeper into the actual fabric of the pants and help clean them better.
If you are unable to take the pads out….. or they are molded or connected to some sort of chest protector or shoulder pad system….. then it is safe to wash your football pants with everything in them… Just make sure that all of these things are fully dry before trying to put them back on again… They should be able to air-dry if you hang them up in a well-ventilated area like a garage.
Just remember the following:
- It is important to remember that detergent can cause discoloration in some fabrics so be sure to read the labels of the products you choose to use when cleaning your football equipment.
- Additionally….. be sure that the detergent you choose does not contain any additives such as fabric softener or bleach… These additives can weaken synthetic materials and make them more susceptible to tearing.
- Setting your dryer’s temperature setting on “low” as opposed to “high” will also help in reducing shrinkage and color fading.
- As a final note….. it’s always a good idea to read over garment care instructions before you begin washing your football gear… Some manufacturers will have specific instructions for washing their equipment or products.
How To Wash Football Pants
Treat your football pants just as you would any garment… When washing….. always check the care instructions inside to see what type of soap or cleaning product you should use for the best results… Wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle and remove them immediately after washing.
Step 1: Keep Whites and Colors Apart
Whether you are washing your team’s football pants or your own….. there is a right and wrong way… The first step to washing football pants is to separate them by color.
Try to wash each color separately….. keeping the whites with whites and colors with colors… This will keep your colors bright and prevent the whites from becoming dingy.
Next….. you have to decide if you want to put your pants into a washer or if you want to hand wash them… If you choose to hand wash your football pants….. then fill up a bucket with warm water and add in a few drops of liquid detergent that are meant for sports equipment such as football helmets and shoulder pads.
Then….. gently scrub both sides of the pants with your hands until they’re clean… When you’re finished washing them in the bucket….. take them out of the bucket and place them on top of a towel so that they can dry overnight.
If you are going to wash them in a washer read on…
Step 2: Tie the String on Your Pants
The last thing you want to deal with is the string of your pants working its way out… If it does you will be faced with two issues.
- The first is finding the string… Hopefully….. it is just inside your washing machine but it could find its way inside the drum which would be a major pain.
- The second is if you do easily find it you have to weave it back through the pants again and we all know what a pain that can be.
- Thirdly – what if it is the entire team’s pants… Threading one string through is bad enough let alone multiple pairs.
So….. save yourself some time and frustration and just tie the string on each pair of paints before washing to prevent them from sliding through the hole at the waist and disappearing.
There Is No Need To Remove The Pads
When you are going to wash your football pants….. you do not remove the pads or the belt… There is no need to remove them because they will not be damaged by water… Just allow plenty of time for them to dry.
Step 3: Use Mild Detergent
Use a mild detergent in cold water… Hot water will fade the colors of your pants quickly… The detergent should be free of bleach… Bleaching agents can cause the colors of your pants to fade as well… If this happens….. the reds may become pink and other colors may appear duller than when they were new.
Detergents are designed for washing different materials….. fabrics….. and garments… For your football pants….. you should use a powdered detergent that is made specifically for athletic uniforms.
Powdered detergents are designed for fabric with spandex such as athletic uniforms… Many detergents have bleach or other stain removers added to them which can harm the color of your pants….. especially if they contain red dye… It is recommended that you do not use bleach on any part of your uniform.
If you want to remove grass stains or other dirt marks that may have accumulated on your football pants….. you can add a pre-soak solution to the water when washing.
Step 4: Wash On Gentle Cycle
Use a gentle cycle on your washer and allow plenty of room for movement in the washer… Do not overload your washer with clothes….. as this could cause damage to your team’s pants and yours as well… You also don’t want to over-wash them.
Why? The more you wash the pants….. the more they’ll wear out over time… Do not over-wash your team’s pants… This will cause them to fade faster than they already do when they are worn on game day.
Step 5: Take Them Out Of The Washing Machine Immediately After Washing
Football pants and other athletic garments should be removed from the washing machine as soon as they have finished their cycle and placed in a dryer… This will remove any excess moisture and help prevent color bleeding….. particularly on color-blocked garments.
Step 6: Air Dry
A lot of coaches and players do not know that you shouldn’t put football pants in the dryer… The result? The belt snaps….. the pads melt and the pants become worthless.
When it comes to washing your football pants….. there are two main rules to follow.
- The first is that you should NEVER put them in the dryer… The heat will damage the pads….. wreck the belt….. and potentially even ruin the fabric.
- The second is that you should never use bleach on your pants… Bleach does not kill all of the germs and bacteria on your gear and will lead to stinky gear.
In summary….. wash your football uniform as soon as possible after each game or practice… The longer you wait between games….. the harder it will be to remove dirt….. grass stains….. and sweat from the uniform’s fabric.
The best way to wash your football pants is by hand… This is because the friction of the washer can cause the football pants to develop a wear pattern which may affect their durability and shape….. as well as cause them to shrink.
No matter how you choose to wash your pants….. always use cold water and never use fabric softeners… Also….. avoid washing any type of athletic clothing in hot water as this can also cause a wicking effect that causes discomfort during play and may cause skin irritation.
Also….. don’t use the dryer when you are trying to get rid of wrinkles on your football pants… The heat from the dryer will set them in permanently and will ruin the appearance of your football pants.
You may also be interested in… How Do You Wash Trousers in a Washing Machine? (9 Easy Steps) and Should Guys Wear Leggings?
Louise Wilson is an accomplished author, passionate textile historian, and renowned fashion enthusiast with a rich background in the world of apparel.
Graduating with honors in Fashion Design, Louise further expanded her skills and knowledge by completing a master’s degree in Textile History. Her academic pursuits have led her to explore the fashion capitals of the world, including Milan, Paris, and New York, enriching her insights into the global world of fashion.
As an author, Louise’s passion for fashion has found its way into her writings, where she intricately weaves narratives of style, design, and fashion history.