One important aspect of jersey care is folding them correctly to prevent creases and wrinkles. Not only do these imperfections detract from the appearance of the jersey, but they can also become permanent if not addressed over time.
In this article, we’ll inform you about the best ways to store your jerseys and provide further tips and step-by-step instructions for folding sports jerseys correctly, including several methods to suit different types of jerseys. Whether you’re a sports fan, a collector, or just looking to keep your jerseys looking their best, this article has something for you.
How to fold sports Jerseys?
Before you begin folding your sports jersey, it’s important to consider the specific features of the jersey. First, take note of whether the jersey has long sleeves, short sleeves, or is sleeveless. Additionally, consider whether the jersey has any iron-on decals or other embellishments that may be prone to wrinkling. Once you have a sense of the jersey’s characteristics, you can choose the most preferable technique from the options provided in this article, and follow the step-by-step instructions from the accompanying videos to achieve a perfect fold every time.
The Classic fold
Difficulty: easy
Perfect for: all types of jerseys including long-sleeved ones.
The classic fold is a versatile method but it’s particularly effective for long sleeve jerseys, as it allows you to neatly tuck the sleeves inside each other to prevent them from getting wrinkled or creased. This fold is also a good choice if your jersey has iron-on decals or other embellishments that may be prone to wrinkling, as it helps to keep these elements smooth and flat.
For a visual guide, here’s our video demonstration of the classic fold on a clean long-sleeve jersey:
And if you’re unable to watch the video, here are the written instructions:
- Begin by laying the jersey out flat on a clean, flat surface.
- Smooth out any wrinkles or creases in the fabric.
- Fold one-third of the jersey widthwise, aligning the sleeves and sides.
- Bend one sleeve in half so that the end of it touches the shoulder.
- Fold the other third of the jersey widthwise, aligning the sleeves and sides.
- Bend the other sleeve in half so that the end of it touches the shoulder.
- Smooth out any remaining wrinkles or creases.
- Finally, fold the bottom third of the jersey twice lengthwise, so that it is neatly folded into a rectangular shape.
The Cleanerd fold
Difficulty: easy
Perfect for: sleeveless and short-sleeve jerseys with iron-on decals.
The “Cleanerd fold” is similar to the classic fold but with a little twist of mine that I found comfortable when folding sleeveless and short-sleeve jerseys. It’s great if your jerseys have decals that you want to protect from wrinkling and damage.
Here’s a video instruction of me, folding a sleeveless basketball jersey with decals kept in mind:
As well as written step-by-step instructions on folding jerseys with numerical decals:
- Place the jersey on a flat surface with the decals that you want to protect facing down and smooth any wrinkles on the fabric. Now fold the top of the jersey lengthwise enough until you feel the resistance of the first decal. Make sure you don’t bend past it.
- Fold the left side of the jersey widthwise until you reach the numbers or name (whichever comes first).
- Fold the right side the same way.
- Bend the bottom of the jersey following what the decal allows
- Finally, fold the top part and connect it with the bottom resulting in a rectangular shape.
The Champions fold
Difficulty: easy
Perfect for: sleeveless and short-sleeve t-shirts or jerseys without iron-on decals.
The “champions fold” is a compact and secure method for folding sports jerseys, best for jerseys that have no embroidery and iron-on decals. If I deal with jerseys of this kind, that’s definitely my favorite fold.
Written instructions to fold a jersey with no iron-on decals:
- Place the jersey front down and fold the bottom lengthwise so the ends touch the middle of the jersey
- Fold the bottom lengthwise again so the ends reach the very top of the fabric.
- Fold the left side for approximately one-third so the left end touches the beginning of the neck cut.
- Repeat with the right side.
- Finally make the half-fold widthwise to connect the left side with the right.
How do you fold a jersey for a bag?
Mention the perfect folds for different jersey types as well as putting folded jerseys into i.e. a polythene bag before placing it into the gym bag to protect from scratching, water, protein powders, etc.
No matter which method you choose, it’s a good idea to protect the jersey from scratching, water, protein powders and other potential sources of damage by placing it in a polythene bag before placing it in your gym bag. This will help to keep your jersey looking its best.
What is the best way to store jerseys?
When it comes to storing sports jerseys, it’s generally best to hang them rather than fold them. This will help prevent creases and wrinkles from forming in the fabric when fully stretched out. Hanging jerseys also allows them to air out and prevents them from developing a stale smell.
If you have limited space or don’t have access to hangers, you can consider organizing your jerseys in drawers or in storage bins, as long as you take care to smooth out any wrinkles or creases before storing them.
However, correctly folding sports jerseys is especially important if you tend to prepare your gym bag the evening before your workout or practice. If you leave your jerseys folded incorrectly, they may develop creases and wrinkles overnight that are difficult to remove leading to their poor appearance.
How to repair wrinkled lettering decals on jerseys?
In case you’re slightly too late, and you have jerseys with wrinkled lettering and digits, there are a few steps you can take to try and repair them. The best way would be using an iron on a low heat setting, with a cloth or press cloth placed over the wrinkled decals to protect them from peeling.
On the other hand, if you think your decals are already irreparable, we have a guide that will inform you how to remove and stick new iron-on decals on your sports jersey.
