The soccer jersey has seen phenomenal development in quality and comfort since its first introduction. Manufacturers are now making use of sturdier fabrics that can survive tens of washes in the production of soccer jerseys.
However, the jersey numbers and letter decals have not seen as much improvement. Little wonder they start peeling after subjecting your soccer jersey to a few wash cycles.
Let’s face it, most soccer fans narrow their support to a single player in a team and usually not the entire team. That is why they will invest in a soccer jersey bearing the name and/or the number of their favorite players.
So, the moment the name and/or number on the soccer jersey peels off, the jersey becomes meaningless to them—since they are not really fanning the entire team.
In addition to this, peeling names or numbers on a soccer jersey doesn’t look nice. It will make the soccer jersey lose its aesthetics which may water down your confidence and the desire to show them off.
So, what will you do if the name and/or number on your soccer jersey begins to peel? Throw them into the trash can or give them away?
Well, those will only be an option if you have the money to purchase new ones. Those without money will have to think of a way to solve the peeling problem.
What if we told you that there are a number of ways that you can restore the peeling number on your soccer jersey? Sounds interesting, right?
Today, we are going to explore hacks that will help you to restore peeling numbers, improve the aesthetics of your soccer jersey, and save you the financial pinch of getting new ones.
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How to fix peeling numbers on soccer jerseys?
The first thing that you have to know about the numbers on your soccer jersey is that they are made of plastic material. They are made separately from the soccer jersey and attached post-production of the soccer jersey using adhesive.
So, any action or activity that leads to the weakening of the adhesive will cause the numbers to peel off your soccer jersey. For example, long exposure to water or excessive heat can lead to the weakening of the bonding glue.
Rigorous washing will also lead to the wear of the decals. So, limiting the number of times you wash your soccer jersey and gently washing the soccer jerseys with water less than 25 degrees Celsius will help to preserve the decals.
There is a popular saying that prevention is better than cure. The best way to fix peeling a soccer jersey number is often by adhering to all the preventive guidelines that will prevent the problem from coming up in the first place.
Nevertheless, if out of ignorance or prolonged use you have ended up with a soccer jersey with a peeling number, use one of the hacks below to restore the number.
Method 1: Ironing Method
The ironing method is most effective when the number on the soccer jersey is just beginning to furl on the edges. It only takes a few minutes but is highly effective in helping to restore the glow of your soccer jersey.
The things that you will need to accomplish this trick include;
- The jersey with the peeling number
- Non-steam pressing iron
- Ironing board
- Cardboard paper
- Plain white paper
Step 1: Preparation
Before proceeding to fix the peeling number, it is important that you prepare the soccer jersey. The first thing that you need to do is to make sure that the soccer jersey is clean.
Washing the soccer jersey after fixing the peeling number may reverse all the hard work that you have done. That is why it is important that you do the washing before fixing it.
Ironing of stains (like oil or grease) on a soccer jersey will cause the stain to set in the fabric and make it harder to remove. Washing the soccer jersey before fixing will prevent the accidental setting of stains or dirt.
Once the soccer jersey is clean, set it on the ironing board and make sure it is properly stretched out.
Step 2: Arrange the peeling number
While stretching on the ironing board, place a piece of cardboard on the inside of the soccer jersey to separate the back and the front part of the soccer jersey. The cardboard paper inside the soccer jersey also makes it easier to get the soccer jersey as straight as possible.
Attaching a peeling number on a folded soccer jersey will result in gaps that will make the numbers peel again soon after you fix them. Place the peeling number in the right position where you want to fix them.
Step 3: Protect the peeling number
As mentioned earlier, the number on a soccer jersey is made using plastic material. Therefore, applying heat directly to them is not advisable at all because it can melt the decals.
Therefore, once you have laid out the number on the soccer jersey, place plain white paper over the number. Make sure the peeled section of the number is flattened under the plain white paper before proceeding to iron.
Step 4: Iron the peeling area
Ironing is what helps the peeling number to bond back to the soccer jersey. Use only the tip of the iron and apply pressure to the edges of the peeling number.
Start slowly with a short pressing time and gradually increase the duration of the contact until the number starts sticking to the fabric.
If you are using a steam iron, make sure that the steam is turned off because the steam coming from the iron will shred the protecting white paper between the iron and your number and eventually burn the decal.
Step 5: Remove the white paper
Once the bonding is complete, remove the white paper while it is still hot. Pull away the white paper towards the direction of the number that is peeling.
For example, if the peeling happened at the bottom part of the number, after working on it, you need to peel the white paper downward.
Touch up any area that needs adjustment by repeating the steps above. Finally, allow the jersey to cool down before taking it out for a spin.
Pros
- Budget-friendly because you may not have to buy any other thing
Cons
- Peeling may return on the next wash
Method 2: Glue and iron
Introduce glue if the entire number has peeled out or three-quarters of the number has peeled out and is hanging loose on the soccer jersey. Some of the items that you will need for this process include;
- The jersey with the peeling number
- Non-steam iron
- Ironing board
- Cardboard
- Fabric glue
- Towel
Step 1: Preparation
Prepare the fabric as we described in the previous method
Step 2: Glue application
Apply the fabric glue on the underside of the peeling number. Make sure the glue is properly spread out to cover every lifted area on the underside of the peeling number.
Apply just enough thin layer of the glue to the peeling number—and not more. If you apply too much glue, it will ooze from the edges of the number making a mess when you iron
- 4 bottles of liquid glitter glue in purple, pink, red, and blue (6 ounces each)
- Effectively adheres items together, including paper, photos, and fabric; great for making slime
- Safe non-toxic formula; ideal for school, home, and arts and crafts
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 3: Setting the peeling number
After applying the glue, press the letter against the fabric using your thumbs. This allows partial bonding of the letter to the fabric and keeps the letter steady for the next step.
Step 4: Getting ready for ironing
Place the jersey on the ironing board and make sure it is crease-free. Place cardboard paper inside the jersey to protect the back and front parts of the jersey from coming in contact.
This is an important step because it stops the fabric glue from spilling into the other side of the jersey and gluing both sides of the jersey together. The cardboard will also help you to make the jersey as straight as possible.
Step 5: Protecting the number
Place a towel over the letter. The reason why you should not use white paper here is that spillover from the fabric glue application will cause the paper to stick to the soccer jersey and it will be more difficult to remove the paper compared to removing a towel.
Step 6: Ironing
Set the iron to the hottest temperature and place it on the towel and hold it down for about 30 seconds. Ideally, you should make use of a towel with a thin thickness.
If you are using a thicker towel, you should hold the iron down for 1 minute or more.
- Power consumption: 700W
- Dimensions (approx.)(H x W x L): 10 cm x 11 cm x 23 cm
- Weight: approximately 0.8 kg
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 7: Check for perfect bonding
Remove the towel and check for any area of the number that did not bond properly to the soccer jersey. If needed, apply a second layer of glue and repeat the process.
Leave the soccer jersey on the ironing board until it has cooled down before removing the cardboard. Place the soccer jersey under the shade to dry for about 24 hours.
Avoid drying under the sun because this can weaken the glue. Check the soccer jersey again after 24 hours to make sure that the number is properly fixed before taking it out for a spin.
Pros
- More effective than just ironing
- Fabric glue should not cause any skin irritation
Cons
- Requires extra caution and can leave your jersey messy
Method 3: Double-sided adhesive sheet
Ironing alone may not be enough to bond the peeling number back to your jersey. The use of double-sided adhesive can be a more effective way of preventing the number on your jersey from peeling.
The items that you will need to accomplish this include;
- Jersey with peeling number
- Non-steam iron
- Plane white paper
- Ironing board
- Double-sided adhesive
Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 1: Preparation
Preparation is the same as previous methods. You have to make sure that the soccer jersey is clean.
Step 2: Fixing the double-sided adhesive sheet
Cut out the double-sided adhesive sheet in the shape of the number that you want to fix on the soccer jersey. If the number has peeled halfway out of the soccer jersey, it may be a better option to completely peel it off the soccer jersey, place it on the double-sided adhesive sheet, trace, and cut.
Peel off the protective film on one side of the adhesive sheet and glue it to the number making sure it aligns perfectly with the number just the way you traced and cut it out.
Lie the soccer jersey on the ironing board making sure that it is crease-free. Peel off the protective film on the other side of the adhesive sheet and place it neatly on the jersey.
Step 3: Iron to activate the glue
The glue on the adhesive sheet is activated by ironing. Just like in the other methods, do not iron directly on the plastic decal or it will melt and leave a messy goo on your iron.
Instead, place a white paper over the number and iron on the white paper. Gradually turn up the heat from low to high while also increasing your pressure.
Gradually move the iron around until you have covered the entire number.
Step 4: Check for flaws
After you are done with the ironing, remove the white paper and check for any area of the number that didn’t bond properly with the soccer jersey—with a special focus on the edges.
If needed, cut a tiny piece of the adhesive sheet and place it on any peeling edge, and repeat the ironing. If everything feels OK, leave the soccer jersey on the ironing board to cool down.
Once it has cooled down, you will have a soccer jersey with a perfectly placed number to flaunt.
Pros
- Leaves a cleaner finish than applying fabric glue
Cons
- The durability is dependent on finding the right double-sided adhesive sheet
Conclusion
To enhance the bonding of the peeling number to the soccer jersey when you apply glue, heat the number for about 5 seconds with a hairdryer. This helps the glue to set.
Putting your soccer jersey in a dryer is a bad idea as it will weaken the bonding on the decal. Maintaining your jersey and washing only with mild detergent and on a low agitation setting can prolong the longevity of your soccer jersey and prevent the ugly onset of peeling numbers.
Another trick that can help to preserve the number on your soccer jersey is turning the jersey inside out before washing. This can protect the number from cracking from the tumble motion of the washing machine.
Except in extreme cases or when the peeling has occurred over and over again, you will need no more than an iron and a piece of white paper to fix the peeling number on your soccer jersey.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!