Cheerleading uniforms offer several perks. They enhance team spirit and performance. The cheerleadings feel comfortable wearing them while chanting. They are made of different materials. Some companies use polyester, while others use nylon and spandex. Such materials require extra care to retain their quality.
If you wash your cheerleading uniform properly, it will look fresh and maintain its design for a long time. It will also prevent early damage. For this purpose, you must know how to wash your cheer uniform.
In this article by Affordable Uniforms Online, you’ll get insights into how to wash cheer uniform, along with detailed guidelines. You will also learn how to avoid stains. Stay tuned!
Why Proper Care of a Cheer Uniform is Important?
You must know why proper washing of your cheer uniform is important. Let’s discuss some reasons why it is necessary.
Fabric Integrity: Cheerleading uniforms are made from soft materials. They usually increase the performance. If you don't wash them accurately, they will become rough, lose their flexibility, and freshness.
Color Preservation: Teams usually choose bright and vibrant colors for their cheer uniforms. If not washed properly, the colors will dim gradually. Resultantly, it will damage the uniform's professional look.
Comfort and Fit: Adult Cheer uniform requires continuous physical activity. For this purpose, you need a comfortable and precise fit. If you take care of your uniform, it will continue to give you an airy and flexible experience.
Durability: If you want your investment to pay off for a long time, you need to take care of your cheerleading uniform. If washed appropriately, it will retain its top-notch quality for years.
How to wash cheer uniform? Preparing Your Cheer Uniform for Washing
Before you know how to wash your cheer uniform, you must prepare it. The following are some preparation guidelines you can follow:
Check the Care Label: You must read the washing instructions on your uniform label. Companies mostly provide care guidelines on the label. It will help you identify whether you can wash it in the machine or by hand. Sometimes, the label also determines the washing temperature.
Turn It Inside Out: You should change the side of your uniform to protect its outer side from different lubricants. Otherwise, it will destroy the design. It is an important step if your uniform possesses engraved logos, numbering, or other prints.
Close Zippers, Velcro, and Hooks: You must fasten the zippers and hooks if your uniform has any. It will help prevent scratches on the uniform and damage to other clothes as well.
Spot Clean Stains: If your uniform gets stained, treat it before washing. Do not leave them intact. You can use any mild detergent mixture to pre-treat the stains.
Washing a Cheerleading Uniform by Machine
If the uniform’s fabric allows it to be washed in a machine, you can follow the guidelines below.
Step 1: Use a Mesh Laundry Bag
First, put your cheerleading uniform in a laundry bag or a mesh bag to protect it during washing. It will prevent the fabric from losing flexibility and getting scratched when it encounters other items in the washing machine. A net bag also protects your uniform from getting entangled with zippers and hooks.
Step 2: Choose a Gentle Cycle
You must use a soft washing cycle with minimal shaking. It will protect the fabric and avoid damage to the designs and embroidery. The gentler cycle is especially important for fabrics like Polyester and Spandex/Lycra.
Step 3: Use Cold Water
Fill your machine with cold water. It keeps your uniform fresh and protects its color. On the other hand, if you use hot water, it will loosen the fabric of the cheerleading uniform, such as spandex or polyester. As a result, it will reduce its performance during the cheerleadings’ strenuous physical stunts.
Step 4: Use a Mild Detergent
You should buy a bleach-free detergent to wash your uniform. If you use harsh detergents or other softeners, it will decompose its fibers. As a result, the uniform will lose its flexibility. You will need to buy a new uniform.
Step 5: Avoid Using Fabric Softener
Many cheerleadings use fabric softeners for their uniforms. It has a negative impact on the uniform’s fabric. It reduces its moisture-evaporating and breathable features. As a result, the cheerleadings find it difficult to wear it during daily stunts.
Washing a Cheerleading Uniform by Hand
Whether your fabric requires hand washing or you choose to wash it by hand, you can follow these guidelines. Let’s discuss how to wash cheer uniform by hand.
Step 1: Fill a Basin with Cold Water
You should pour cold water in your basin. Do not wash your uniform in hot water, as it will decrease the uniform’s flexibility and fade the colors.
Step 2: Add Mild Detergent
Make a detergent mixture by combining cold water with 2-3 drops of bleach-free detergent. Mix them thoroughly. Continue until you get a soapy solution.
Step 3: Submerge the Uniform
Now, put your cheerleading uniform in the soapy solution and wash it gently. You must avoid scrubbing or washing hard. Otherwise, it will damage the shape of your uniform. You can put the uniform in the mixture for about 15 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
After washing, you should rinse it properly in cold water until the water becomes crystal clear. It will remove all the remnants of the detergent from your uniform.
Step 5: Press Out Excess Water
After rinsing, you must filter out additional water. For this purpose, you should avoid rolling or twisting the uniform. Otherwise, it will cause wrinkles on your professional uniform. The best option is to roll your uniform in a clean, absorbable cloth to remove moisture.
Drying Your Cheer Uniform
After you learn how to wash cheer uniform, you must know the drying guidelines as well. Let’s have a look.
Air Dry Only
You should always air dry your uniform using natural heat. Avoid putting it under direct sunlight. You can keep it inside during the day. If you use an air dryer, the artificial heat will cause the uniform’s fabric to compress and lose flexibility. You can keep your uniform straight on a clean cloth or use hangers to hang it.
Avoid Using a Dryer
Do not use an air dryer for your cheerleading uniform. Artificial heat can damage the fabric and fade the colors. Moreover, it will also deteriorate the logo and number printing. If you want to dry it instantly, keep it under a fan or in a ventilated area.
Dry Flat or Hang Dry
The best option is to keep your uniform straight on a clean cloth and let it dry. If you wear skirts in your uniform, you can hang them using high-quality hangers.
How to Handle Stains on a Cheer Uniform?
Sometimes, even though you take extra care of your uniform, you get stains on it. You must know how to handle different stains:
Grass Stains
Grass stains are hard to remove. You can use a stain remover or a baking soda hard mixture to remove the stains. Apply for max. Twenty minutes, then wash the affected place. You will get them removed.
Sweat and Deodorant Stains
Usually, cheerleadings complain about the sweat stains or deodorant marks on the uniform’s inner sides. For this purpose, it is recommended to use a mixture of vinegar with water. Apply the mixture to the stains, then let it soak for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, you won't see any stains anywhere.
Food and Drink Stains
Food and beverage stains are usually hard to remove. For this type of stain, first remove the food remnants from the affected area. Then, apply a detergent to that specific area. Afterward, wash the uniform thoroughly.
Storing Your Cheerleading Uniform
You must store your cheerleading uniform appropriately. You can keep it in your wardrobe away from the sunlight. Moreover, use high-quality hangers to hang your cheerleading uniform straight in the cupboard. Make sure the wardrobe is dry and free from insects.
Conclusion
Though it looks simple to wash and take care of your cheerleading uniform, it is not a simple task, as it requires extra attention. If you maintain it properly, it will retain its high quality, fabric, and color for a long period. It will increase the cheerleading’s performance.
For this, you must know how to wash cheer uniform properly. You can wash it by machine or by hand, following the care instructions provided on the label. If you follow the washing and drying guidelines mentioned above in the article, you will have your favorite cheerleading uniform for years.
You should avoid using toxic detergents and hand-washing techniques. You should air-dry your uniform to maintain its quality and freshness.
Need new cheer uniforms? Visit Affordable Uniforms Online and get your team ready for performance!
