The short answer is: It's generally best to wash jerseys with other jerseys, but with important considerations for color.
Washing jerseys together is acceptable, and even preferable, to washing them with other types of clothing. However, color separation is crucial to prevent dye transfer and damage. Here's a breakdown:
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Color Separation is Key: Always sort your jerseys by color. Wash white jerseys together, dark-colored jerseys together, and brightly colored jerseys together. This minimizes the risk of color bleeding, especially for newer jerseys.
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Avoid Washing With Other Clothes: The provided reference specifically warns against washing jerseys with other apparel, especially items like blue jeans, due to the potential for dye transfer.
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Washing New Jerseys: Be extra cautious with new jerseys. They tend to release more dye during the first few washes. Washing them separately for the first few cycles is recommended.
Best Practices for Washing Jerseys Together (and Separately):
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Turn Jerseys Inside Out: This protects the outer surface, logos, and player names from abrasion.
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Use a Gentle Detergent: Harsh chemicals can damage the fabric and cause colors to fade.
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Wash in Cold Water: Cold water minimizes color bleeding and helps prevent shrinking.
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Avoid Bleach: Bleach can severely damage the fabric and ruin the colors.
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Air Dry: Hang jerseys to dry, away from direct sunlight. Avoid using a dryer, as the heat can damage the fabric, logos, and numbers. If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting.
In conclusion, washing jerseys with other jerseys is fine as long as you carefully separate them by color to prevent color bleeding and follow proper washing guidelines. Avoid washing jerseys with other types of clothing.
