A good rugby jersey is designed to handle plenty of action, but looking after it properly can make a big difference to how long it stays looking its best.
Modern rugby jerseys are usually made from technical polyester fabrics and may feature printed or heat-applied logos, sponsor marks, names and numbers. Older and retro-style jerseys can be quite different, often using heavier fabrics, embroidered badges or cotton blends.
That means the way you wash, dry and store your jersey matters.
Whether it's an All Blacks jersey, a Super Rugby jersey, an NRL jersey or a favourite retro rugby shirt, the basic principle is simple: follow the care label, wash gently, avoid unnecessary heat and take particular care with printed or applied details.
Here's how.
Rugby Jersey Care at a Glance
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Rugby jersey care |
Best practice |
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Before washing |
Check the care label and turn the jersey inside out |
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Water temperature |
Follow the care label; cold or cool is common |
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Wash cycle |
Gentle where appropriate |
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Detergent |
Mild detergent |
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Fabric softener |
Generally, avoid on technical sportswear |
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Bleach |
Avoid unless specifically permitted |
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Drying |
Air dry where possible and follow the care label |
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Ironing |
Check the label - never iron directly over prints |
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Names & numbers |
Minimise heat and abrasion |
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Storage |
Store clean, completely dry and away from prolonged sunlight |
1. Always Check the Care Label First
This is the most important rule.
Before washing any rugby jersey, check the manufacturer's care label inside the garment.
Different jerseys can use different fabrics, printing methods and trims - even jerseys from the same manufacturer - so the instructions supplied with your particular jersey should always take priority over general advice.
This is particularly important with performance jerseys, personalised jerseys and older garments.
If the label specifies a particular washing temperature, drying method or ironing restriction, follow it.
Always check and follow the care label on your specific jersey. Instructions do vary.
2. Turn Your Rugby Jersey Inside Out Before Washing
One of the simplest ways to help protect a rugby jersey is to turn it inside out before putting it in the washing machine.
This reduces direct rubbing against the outside of the jersey and helps protect:
It also reduces abrasion against other garments in the wash.
If your jersey has zips, close them before washing, and check any pockets before putting it in the machine.
Turn the jersey inside out and protect zips, prints and applied details before washing.
3. Use the Correct Water Temperature
Many modern rugby jerseys are designed to be washed in cold or cool water, but don't assume that applies to every jersey.
Check the garment's care label and use the temperature recommended by the manufacturer.
Modern synthetic performance fabrics generally don't need the very hot washes sometimes used for towels or bedding. Excessive heat can also be hard on some applied graphics and trims.
A gentle or delicate washing cycle is a sensible option where appropriate.
For particularly valuable, vintage or delicate jerseys, hand washing may be preferable - but again, check the care instructions first.
4. Use a Mild Laundry Detergent
A mild laundry detergent is usually all that's required.
Avoid bleach or harsh cleaning chemicals unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically allow them. Strong chemicals can affect colours, fabrics and printed details.
It's also generally best to avoid fabric softener on technical sportswear unless the manufacturer recommends it. Fabric softeners can leave a coating on synthetic fibres and potentially interfere with the moisture-management properties the fabric was designed to provide.
You don't need excessive detergent either. More detergent doesn't necessarily produce a cleaner jersey and can leave residue in the fabric.
5. Wash Rugby Jerseys with Similar Colours
This is particularly important with a new jersey.
Wash dark jerseys with dark clothing and lighter jerseys with similar colours. If you're unsure whether a new garment is colourfast, washing it separately for the first few washes is a sensible precaution.
Avoid washing a jersey with rough items such as jeans, exposed Velcro, heavy jackets or garments with sharp zips, hooks or fastenings that could catch or snag the fabric.
6. Don't Leave a Wet or Sweaty Jersey Sitting in Your Bag
If you've played or trained in your jersey, don't leave it bundled up wet in a sports bag or laundry basket for longer than necessary.
Moisture, sweat and dirt can contribute to odours and make stains more difficult to remove.
If you can't wash the jersey immediately, take it out of the bag and allow it to air rather than leaving it crumpled and damp.
7. Treat Stains Gently
Rugby and clean clothing aren't always natural companions.
If your jersey picks up grass, mud, food or drink stains, try to deal with them reasonably quickly.
Start by gently rinsing or blotting the affected area with cool water. Avoid aggressively scrubbing printed logos, names or numbers.
A small amount of mild detergent can often be gently worked into the affected fabric before washing.
For stubborn stains, check the garment's care instructions and the directions on any stain-removal product before using it. Testing the product on an inconspicuous area first is a sensible precaution.
Avoid chlorine bleach unless the jersey's care instructions specifically permit it.
8. Understand How Your Jersey's Design Is Applied
Not every rugby jersey is decorated in the same way, and this can affect how it should be cared for.
Sublimated designs
With sublimation, the design is dyed into the fabric rather than sitting as a separate layer on top. That's one reason sublimation is widely used for sporting apparel.
A sublimated design won't peel away in the same manner as a heat-applied graphic, although the garment itself still needs to be washed and cared for according to its instructions.
Heat-applied logos, names and numbers
Some sponsor marks, badges, player names and numbers are applied to the surface of the jersey.
These areas deserve particular protection from excessive heat and abrasion. Turning the jersey inside out for washing and avoiding direct ironing over the applied graphics can help preserve them.
Embroidered details
Traditional and retro-style rugby jerseys may feature embroidered crests, badges and other detailing.
Embroidery is generally durable, but it can still be damaged by snagging, harsh washing or unsuitable drying.
If you're unsure how your jersey has been constructed, its manufacturer's care label remains your best guide.
9. Air Dry Your Rugby Jersey Where Possible
Whenever the garment's instructions allow it, air drying is a gentle way to dry a rugby jersey.
After washing, gently reshape the jersey and hang it on a suitable hanger or drying rack.
Avoid wringing or twisting it.
Air drying is often the gentlest option when the care label permits it.
Keeping the jersey away from excessive heat and prolonged strong sunlight can help protect its fabric, colours and detailing.
Can you put a rugby jersey in the dryer?
Sometimes - but don't assume you can.
Check the care label. Some sports garments permit low-temperature tumble drying, while many rugby jerseys specifically instruct you not to tumble dry.
If you're unsure, air drying is the safer option, particularly for jerseys with applied logos, names or numbers.
10. Be Very Careful with an Iron
Many modern rugby jerseys require little or no ironing.
If your jersey does need ironing, check the care label first and use only the temperature recommended by the manufacturer.
Never place a hot iron directly onto printed logos, sponsor marks, names, numbers or heat-applied graphics.
If the care instructions permit it, turning the jersey inside out and using a low temperature can provide additional protection.
Often, simply reshaping and hanging the jersey neatly after washing will remove most creasing without an iron.
11. Take Extra Care with Personalised Jerseys
If your jersey has a player's name and number - or your own - treat the personalisation with particular care.
Good habits include:
Heat and abrasion can be particularly hard on applied lettering and numbering.
12. How to Care for an adidas Rugby Jersey
adidas has supplied some of the world's best-known rugby jerseys, including the All Blacks and New Zealand's Super Rugby teams.
Many adidas rugby jerseys use polyester performance fabrics and can include applied or printed details. Common adidas care instructions include washing inside out, washing with similar colours, avoiding fabric softener and not ironing printed areas.
However, don't assume that every adidas rugby jersey has identical washing instructions.
Fabric, construction and detailing can vary between teams, products and seasons. One jersey may specify a cold machine wash while another may permit a different temperature.
For an All Blacks, Māori All Blacks or Super Rugby adidas jersey, always check the label inside your particular garment before washing it.
13. How to Store a Rugby Jersey
For an everyday jersey, make sure it's completely clean and dry before putting it away.
It can be folded neatly or hung on a suitable hanger. If hanging it for a long period, choose a hanger broad enough to support the shoulders without unnecessarily stretching them.
Store jerseys somewhere dry and away from prolonged direct sunlight.
For an older, signed or particularly collectable rugby jersey, more specialised storage may be appropriate. Long-term exposure to sunlight, moisture and unsuitable storage materials can damage fabrics, colours and signatures.
14. Vintage and Retro Rugby Jerseys Need Different Care
Not every rugby jersey should be treated like a modern polyester replica.
Older jerseys may contain cotton, wool or different synthetic materials, while modern retro-style jerseys can use heavier cotton fabrics, embroidered badges, traditional collars and other construction methods.
A genuine vintage jersey may also have ageing stitching, labels, prints or embroidery that are more fragile than they appear.
Always follow the garment's own care instructions where they're available.
If you're dealing with a valuable vintage, signed or collectable jersey and aren't confident about washing it, specialist textile or garment-conservation advice may be preferable to taking a chance.
What Not to Do to a Rugby Jersey
Most jersey-care mistakes come down to too much heat, too much friction or overly harsh cleaning.
Unless the garment's care instructions specifically say otherwise, avoid:
A little extra care can add years to the useful life of a favourite jersey.
Rugby Jersey Care FAQs
Can I wash a rugby jersey in a washing machine?
Most modern rugby jerseys can be machine washed, but always check the care label first. Turning the jersey inside out and using the recommended temperature and wash cycle helps protect the fabric and detailing.
What temperature should I wash a rugby jersey at?
Use the temperature specified on the garment's care label. Cold or cool washing is common for modern synthetic sports jerseys, but instructions vary between garments.
Should I wash my rugby jersey inside out?
It's a good practice for many rugby jerseys and is specifically recommended for numerous sports garments. It reduces abrasion on logos, graphics, names and numbers during washing.
Can I put my rugby jersey in the dryer?
Check the manufacturer's care label. Some garments may permit low-temperature tumble drying while others specifically prohibit tumble drying. If in doubt, air drying is generally the gentler option.
Can I use fabric softener on a rugby jersey?
It's generally best to avoid fabric softener on technical sportswear unless the manufacturer recommends it. Some manufacturers, including adidas on many rugby garments, specifically instruct customers not to use it.
Can I iron a rugby jersey?
Only if the care label permits ironing. Use the recommended temperature and never iron directly over printed logos, sponsor marks, names or numbers.
How do I stop the printing on my rugby jersey from peeling?
There is no way to guarantee that applied graphics will never deteriorate, but reducing unnecessary heat and abrasion can help. Wash the jersey according to its care label, turn it inside out where recommended, and never place a hot iron directly on the printing.
How often should I wash a rugby jersey?
If you've worn it for sport or it's sweaty or dirty, wash it after use. A supporter jersey that's only been worn casually may not need washing every time. Unnecessary washing adds wear to any garment.
How should I wash an All Blacks jersey?
Start with the care label on your particular All Blacks jersey, because materials and construction can vary between seasons and styles. Many modern adidas All Blacks jerseys recommend washing inside out, avoiding fabric softener and protecting printed areas from direct ironing, but the instructions on your particular jersey should always take priority.
How should I wash a personalised rugby jersey?
Follow the garment's care label and take additional care with the applied name and number. Turning the jersey inside out, avoiding excessive heat and abrasion, and never ironing directly over the personalisation can help keep it looking its best.
What's the difference between sublimated and heat-applied rugby jersey graphics?
Sublimated graphics are dyed into the fabric itself, while heat-applied graphics sit on the surface of the garment. Heat-applied names, numbers and logos can therefore require particular care to reduce the risk of lifting, cracking or peeling.
Look After the Jersey - and the Memories That Come with It
A rugby jersey can be much more than another item of clothing.
It might remind you of a great Test match, a championship season, your first trip to New Zealand, the team you've supported since childhood or the player whose name is printed across the back.
Some jerseys get worn every weekend. Others eventually become keepsakes.
Either way, proper care doesn't need to be complicated. Follow the care label, wash gently, minimise unnecessary heat, protect the graphics and store the jersey clean and dry.
Do those things and your favourite rugby jersey should stay looking its best for many seasons to come.
About RYOS
RYOS has been selling New Zealand sports merchandise since 1993. Over more than three decades, we've seen rugby jerseys change enormously - from heavyweight traditional shirts to today's lightweight technical fabrics and highly detailed replica and performance jerseys.
One thing hasn't changed: looking after a favourite jersey properly is the best way to keep it looking good for years to come.
Explore the latest official All Blacks, Super Rugby and New Zealand team jerseys at RYOS.
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