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With the Euros just around the corner, footie fever is once again sweeping the nation.
But while many of us are looking forward to following the tournament on TV, significantly fewer will relish the idea of tackling a grubby football kit after a match or a kickabout in the park. From grass stains to caked-on mud (not to mention sweat), restoring a football kit to its former glory after a gruelling battle on the pitch is not for the faint-hearted.
Thankfully, if you're armed with the right know-how you can keep a clean score sheet in the face of even the toughest stains. We've rounded up our top tips for cleaning football shirts and shorts, boots, gloves and even shin guards to help.
How often should you wash your football kit?
As sweat quickly builds up in any sports kit, aim to wash your football kit after every use, even in the unlikely event that it doesn't actually look dirty. This will prevent discoloured patches from building up and bacteria from multiplying, which can cause your kit to start smelling.
Washing your football kit as soon after each wear as possible also gives you the best chance of shifting stubborn stains such as mud and grass.
How to wash a football kit
Wash clothes inside out on the highest temperature stated on the kit's care label, ideally using a detergent that's specially formulated for use on sportswear, such as Ecozone Pro-active Sports Wash Laundry Liquid. Alternatively, use a regular biological detergent. Wash your football kit with similar items on a suitable setting. Some machines feature dedicated sportswear programs, but a synthetics cycle could also work. Don't use fabric softener, as this can stop the fabric the kit is made from from wicking sweat away from the body in use.
If there's mud caked on any of the kit, remove the excess first using a dry brush (an old toothbrush could work), before placing it in the washing machine. If you’re dealing with mud or grass stains, apply a proprietary stain remover that's designed to treat these stains beforehand, such as Dr. Beckmann’s Stain Devils Cosmetics and Nature. Follow the instructions on pack.
For sweat stains, flush with cold water or dab distilled white vinegar onto the stain before washing as usual. If the football kit is particularly smelly, try a product such as Dr. Beckmann’s Odour Remover.
Can I tumble dry my football kit?
Only use the tumble dryer if the wash label advises that you can as elastane can quickly be damaged and misshapen in this appliance. Do not use the dryer if the kit features delicate printing, such as a number on the back of a shirt. This can crack during the process.
Otherwise, hang the items to air dry in a well-ventilated space using a clothes airer or outside on the washing line.
How to clean football boots
Remove excess mud that's built up between the studs by knocking the soles together. Alternatively, you can use a specialist tool to dislodge mud, such as this Bootclaw but an old blunt knife can work just as well.
To give your boots a thorough clean, start by removing and soaking the laces in Vanish Oxi Action Stain Remover, then rinse and air dry. You can alternatively wash the laces separately in your washing machine if you have a small enough mesh laundry bag. The insoles may also be removable and washable by hand.
Next, clean the exterior. For leather boots, apply a weak solution of washing up liquid to a microfibre cloth and use that to wipe the surface. For other fabrics, create a mild solution of washing detergent, and apply that using a microfibre cloth. If you're being particularly meticulous, you could also scrub the soles with an old toothbrush and whatever detergent solution you're using.
Wipe the uppers with a clean cloth soaked in water and wrung out, then leave the boots to air dry in a well-ventilated space, with the laces and insoles removed and the tongues opened out. Do not leave them on or near a radiator as the heat can crack leather and cause the glue to come unstuck.
For grass stains on white leather, spraying a couple of drops of WD-40 onto the stain and then wiping with a clean cloth can remove it, but test in an inconspicuous spot first. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated footwear cleaner, such as Nikwax Shoe Cleaner Kit.
How to clean goalkeeper gloves and shin guards
In both cases, you should first check the care instructions. Generally speaking, hand washing under cold running water using a mild detergent is recommended. Gently scrub with a brush to remove any residue (you can use a toothbrush to access any crevices), then rinse and air dry. Do not dry near direct heat. You can disinfect your shin guards between uses with wipes, such as Dettol's Antibacterial Surface Cleansing Wipes, unless they're made of leather.
Best running trainers
The Ghost 16 is all about comfort and cushioning to protect the body against the impact of running. It features a nitrogen-infused foam midsole, along with padding around the collar and tongue for ultimate comfort, plus a heel counter at the back to help with stability. There’s sufficient wiggle room in the toe box, they don’t need lots of breaking in, and won’t feel heavy or clunky as you go. The Ghost isn’t one for speed work, but it’s ideal for clocking up your weekly miles.
The latest iteration of the popular New Balance 1080 shoes makes a sweet starter pair. Soft, stable and lightweight with just the right level of bounce, they’re a safe bet for anyone at the beginning of their journey. They’re extremely versatile, too – you can slip them on for any type of session, from walking and jogging to hill sprints and even marathon training. The lightweight padding around the tongue and collar feels extremely plush to run in, there’s an engineered mesh upper for good support, plus the shoe feels nice and breathable during more intense sessions.
Prepping for a half or full marathon? Meet your new training partner. The SC v3 boasts a light, stable design, offering a great balance of cushioning and responsiveness – comfy enough for Sunday long runs yet not too plush for speed sessions. The FuelCell midsole is designed to propel you forward with every step and weighing in at just under 210g, it certainly won’t hold you back. The shoe also has a wide base and feels nice and stable when you do want to pick up the pace, and the soft, breathable mesh upper to prevent sweaty feet. Just note, it does feel stiff to begin with.
There’s plenty to shout about with these female-specific running shoes from Lululemon. The brand’s design team analysed over a million foot scans to engineer a shoe that’s specifically designed for a woman’s foot shape and gait cycle. Though not the bounciest of trainers out there, they’re plush enough to absorb impact and they don’t feel too heavy or bulky. The lack of bounce and energy return means they’re best for running shorter distances and easy, recovery miles. They won’t look out of place in the gym or at brunch, either. Go half a size up for a comfortable fit.
