How to get mud out of football (soccer) kits – the easy way.

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It’s inevitable. Football kits get muddy. And it’s not just the kit. Boots, socks, water bottle…everything can get covered in dirt. But don’t despair!  It’s not the end of the world if your kit gets muddy – in fact, it’s all part of the game. Here’s how to get mud out of football kits without losing your sanity!

How to get mud out of football kits step by step.

What You’ll Need

Before you start, you’ll need a few things:

  • A basin or sink filled with lukewarm water
  • A mild detergent or stain remover
  • A clean, dry towel
  • An old toothbrush (optional)

Step 1: Soak It Up 

The first step is to soak up as much of the mud as possible.

The longer the mud stays on the fabric, the harder it will be to remove, so it’s important to act quickly.

Dip the stained area of the kit into the basin of lukewarm water and let it soak for a few minutes.

Step 2: Apply Detergent 

Once the fabric has soaked for a few minutes, it’s time to apply detergent. Squeeze a small amount of detergent or stain remover onto the stained area and work it in with your fingers.

If you’re using an old toothbrush, you can use that to work the detergent into the fabric for extra cleaning power. 

Work the detergent in until it forms a rich lather, then leave it to sit for a few minutes so that it can work its magic. 

You can also add stain remover to a pre-wash on your washing machine cycle.

Always use lukewarm or cold water – hot water will set the stain and make it harder to remove!

Step 3: Rinse It Out 

After a few minutes, rinse the sudsy mixture out of the fabric until the water runs clear.

Be sure to rinse thoroughly—any residue left behind will make it harder to remove the stain completely. 

Step 4: Repeat As Necessary 

If the stain is still visible after following these steps, simply repeat them until it disappears entirely.

Once you’re satisfied that the stain is gone, squeeze excess water out of the fabric and pat dry with a clean, dry towel.

Step 5. Machine wash

Wash your kit on a regular cycle in your washing machine. Follow the care labels for the best temperature and settings.

Step 6. Hang your kit up

Dry your kit on a clothes horse or air dryer in a well-ventilated area and allow it to air dry completely.

Do not put your kit in the dryer, as this could set the stain and make it even harder to remove.

And that’s it! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have your football kit looking good as new in no time.

Watch and learn: How to wash a muddy football shirt without ruining it.

If you’re worried about the lettering and decals on your shirt, here’s a great video that shows you how to wash a football shirt without damaging it.

YouTube player

How do you get dried mud out of a football kit?

If the mud has already dried, it’s going to be a little more difficult to remove. But don’t worry, it’s still possible! Just follow these steps:

1. Assess the damage. This is a crucial first step. You need to take a good, hard look at your kit and figure out exactly how bad the situation is.

Are we talking about a few small smudges? Or are we dealing with an all-out disaster? The amount of mud will dictate the amount of work you have to put in. 

2. Grab your supplies. Once you know what you’re dealing with, it’s time to gather your supplies. For small smudges, all you’ll need is a toothbrush and some water. For more substantial stains, you’ll need laundry detergent, baking soda, vinegar, and a scrub brush. 

3. Pretreat the stains. If you’re dealing with large stains, pretreating is key. Make a paste out of laundry detergent, baking soda, and water, and apply it to the stained areas of your kit. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes before moving on to the next step. 

4. Scrub away the mud! Now it’s time to get down and dirty…literally. If your stains are small, use your toothbrush to scrub away the dried mud.

Be sure to add water as needed so that the fabric doesn’t get damaged by the scrubbing motion. If your stains are larger, use your brush and laundry detergent to scrub away at the dried mud until it starts to break up and lighten in color. 

5.”Rinse and repeat” as necessary—literally! Once you’ve brushed away as much mud as possible, it’s time to rinse off your kit with clean water. If any stains remain, repeat steps 3-5 until they’re gone entirely. 

How to get mud stains out of white football kit

White is a notoriously difficult colour to keep clean, and mud stains are no exception. But don’t worry. They wouldn’t make football kits in white if they were impossible to clean right?

Treating a white football kit is no different to any other, but there are a few steps you might need to repeat before sticking it in the washing machine:

1. Rinse away the mud with cold water as soon as possible. The longer the mud stays on the fabric, the harder it will be to remove later. 

2. Make a paste with laundry detergent and water, and apply it to the stained areas of your kit. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes before moving on to the next step. 

3. Scrub away the mud with a brush or toothbrush. Be sure to add water as needed so that the fabric doesn’t get damaged by the scrubbing motion. 

4.”Rinse and repeat” as necessary—literally! Once you’ve brushed away as much mud as possible, it’s time to rinse off your kit with clean water. If any stains remain, repeat steps 2-4 until they’re gone entirely.

After you’ve removed as much mud as possible, it’s time to wash your kit according to the care labels. Follow the care labels for the best temperature and settings.

We also add a scoop of stain remover like Vanish to the load to keep the whites crisp.

Hang your kit up to dry in a well-ventilated area, and enjoy your sparkly clean white football kit!

How to get mud out of football kits top tips

How do you remove set in mud stains?

Set in mud stains can be really tricky to remove, especially if your kit has already gone through a wash or a tumble dryer that’s set the stain in.

Here’s where you’ll need to break out the heavy artillery.

First, pre-treat the stain with a laundry detergent that contains enzymes.

Then, launder the item on the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric. You may need to repeat this process more than once for set-in stains.

Finally, if all else fails, you can try using rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Be sure to test these solutions on an inconspicuous area of the garment first to check for colorfastness.

With a little patience and elbow grease, you should be able to get those pesky mud stains out of your clothes.

How do you get grass stains out of a football kit?

Grass stains are a fact of life when it comes to football kits. Those telltale green streaks can be tough to remove.

But there’s no need to panic – with a little elbow grease and the right products, those grass stains will be gone in no time.

To start, pretreat the stains with a liquid laundry detergent. Work the detergent into the fabric, then let it sit for a few minutes before laundering as usual.

For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process or use a stain remover designed for grass stains. Be sure to check the care label on your football kit before treating the stains, as some fabrics may require special care.

Then, wash your kit as usual, and enjoy stain-free football gear!

How do you get Vicks out of a soccer shirt?

When it comes to washing off Vicks Vaporub from a football kit, the challenge is real!

But never fear; with the right supplies and techniques, you can get those smudged VapoRub stains out like a pro.

The trick is to use a pre-wash stain remover that contains enzymes to help break down the ointment before laundry day.

Then, when you throw your jersey into the wash, stick with standard laundry detergent and don’t forget to set your machine on hot.

Let that thing spin and tada – presto – no more traces of Vicks! Time to hit the field again!

The final score.

Mud stains might seem like a nightmare, but with our simple steps you’ll have those pesky stains out in no time!

And remember – even if your kit does get muddy, it’s all part of the game! Enjoy getting stuck in and don’t worry about keeping your kit pristine – that’s what washing machines are for!

This article was written by

  • Anna Adams, Creative Director & Content Lead

    Hi there! I'm Anna Adams, your go-to source for all things women's soccer. I've been crazy about soccer for over 20 years, ever since I was kicking a ball around with my brothers as a kid. I've turned my passion into a career where I get to share all the cool stuff about soccer with you. As a content lead, I've had the awesome opportunity to work with various sports brands and publications. Whether it's the latest gear, pro tips, or just some cool soccer trivia, I'm all about making soccer ac...