Usually, people prefer to preserve their favorite soccer jerseys. But, I guess if your favorite player gets traded, it is okay to be bitter enough to remove the letters on your jersey.
“I am heartbroken because my favorite player is no longer with my club.”
“I want to give this jersey a new look.”
“I hate this player, but I want to keep supporting my wonderful club.”
If you have had any of these thoughts running through your mind, then you have come to the right place. Now there are a lot of ways for you to remove letters or numbers from soccer jerseys. However, before choosing one, there are two questions you must ask.
What kind of fabric is this?
How was this lettering made?
Additionally, before we talk about how to remove letters from a soccer jersey without causing damage to the fabric, here are a few warnings;
- If your jersey is cotton, then you can safely try any of these procedures.
- However, if yours is a synthetic material like polyester, you should probably avoid the heat-based treatments.
So, how can you remove letters or numbers from a soccer jersey? Let’s find out!
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How to remove letters from a soccer jersey?
Ways To Remove Letters From A Soccer Jersey With Chemicals
Removing letters and numbers from jerseys is becoming a common activity by some fanatics around the world. And some of the safe and effective chemical methods to use include:
Commercial Vinyl Remover
Tools needed:
- Vinyl remover.
- Tweezers.
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Generally, commercial vinyl removers soften and dissolve the adhesive in the lettering, allowing the vinyl to be easily peeled off or scraped. The best part of this method is that it is a quick and effective way to remove vinyl letters from jerseys.
However, these removers contain strong chemicals that create unpleasant fumes. So, if you decide to use this method, make sure you are in a well-ventilated space! Additionally, you should also wear protective gloves to cover your hands and some protective eyewear.
Nevertheless, we advise that you always read the written instructions before using them because they are chemically saturated. For removing letters with this method, you should use the following steps:
- First, turn the jersey inside out. Find the backside of the vinyl imprint (it will feel stiffer than the rest of the jersey, and you can often see it through the fabric).
- Use a few drops of remover directly onto the backside of the letters.
- Now turn the jersey back to the right side.
- Grab a bit of fabric on either side of the letters with your finger and pull it back and forth in a tugging motion. Doing this will loosen the vinyl letters.
- Finally, using tweezers, you can pick an edge of the letters, pull on it gently, and remove the vinyl letters.
- Then, get rid of the vinyl remover and any adhesive or letter residue by washing the jersey.
Rubbing Alcohol
Tools needed:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Dryer.
- Knife.
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Unlike commercial vinyl removers, Rubbing alcohol does not contain dangerous chemicals or produce terrible fumes.
Although it is not as effective or quick as commercial removers, this method is best for synthetic fabrics as it does not require excessive heat. So let us get to it!
- Put your jersey in a hot dryer (if you have one). This first step heats up and melts the glue behind the letters; the idea behind this is to loosen them.
- Turn the jersey inside out, placing the letters on the inside. Make sure the side of the jersey with the words is facing up.
- Test the alcohol on a hidden area of your jersey. If it does not cause any damage, go on to the next step.
- Dip the fabric in the solvent so that it soaks through, loosening the adhesive.
- Peel off the letters in gentle motions so that you do not cause damage to the fabric. You may need to use a knife and some additional heat from a hairdryer to make the process faster.
- After the letters come off, there may be some adhesive left on the jersey. Use some more rubbing alcohol to get rid of this.
- Wash and rinse the jersey thoroughly to eliminate the alcohol.
- If you see some pieces of vinyl lettering refusing to get off, use the petroleum jelly method below to get them loose.
Using WD-40
Tools needed:
- WD-40
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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Using WD-40 can be an effective way of removing vinyl letters. Some people have testified that it works great and does not leave any stains. The best part of this method is that it is pretty simple.
- First, spray the WD-40 on the letters.
- Then, when they soften, use a sharp knife to peel them off.
- Next, soak the area in dish soap to erase the greasy feel of the WD-40.
- Finally, wash the jersey.
Ways To Remove Letters From A Soccer Jersey With Heat
Please note that while using heat based methods, you should always check how much heat the fabric of your jersey can withstand. To find out, check the care label on the jersey.
The Iron Method
Tools needed:
- Iron
- Ironing board.
- A piece of plain cotton fabric.
- Knife.
- Tweezers.
Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This method is primarily for cotton jerseys; if your jersey is synthetic material like polyester, then this method is not recommended for you.
For cotton jerseys, using iron is often the quickest and easiest way to remove vinyl letters. However, this path is dangerous for the iron because you can get sticky vinyl on it, and this would cause damage.
In this method, you apply heat to the vinyl lettering using an iron. The heat from the iron softens its adhesive enough to pull off the vinyl with your fingers or tweezers.
However, before doing this, check the fabric care label on your jersey to find out the best iron heat setting. For example, cotton jerseys can handle the highest heat on an iron, but polyester and cotton-polyester fabric blends usually require a lower heat because they are hotties.
Follow the heat instructions, or you might end up damaging your jersey.
- First, dampen the cloth with water.
- Then, arrange the cloth over the front of the letters one area at a time, and then firmly press the area with the hot iron until the ironed part of the cloth is completely dry.
- Turn the jersey inside out. Repeat the above process on the underside of the letters or numbers for about 30 seconds.
- After ironing the front and back of the first area, try to pull the vinyl off the jersey fabric while the letters and the fibers are still hot. You can do this using tweezers.
- When you raise the edge of the letter away from the fabric, start to scrape the inner part of the vinyl with a knife to loosen it, pulling it up with tweezers as you work.
- After completing one area, repeat the entire process of ironing, pulling, and scraping on the next area and keep at it until all the vinyl letters are gone.
- After completing this process, apply alcohol or an adhesive remover on the moist parts of the jersey to remove the adhesive.
- Let the solvent you used stay on the jersey and soak in for about 10 minutes, and then gently but firmly clean the residue with a soft cloth or sponge. You might need to repeatedly apply the product because some adhesives do their job a little too well.
OR
- First, ensure your iron is at its hottest setting that the fabric can handle. Let the care instructions on the label of the jersey guide you on this.
- Next, place a towel inside the jersey and then spread the jersey on your ironing board with the vinyl side facing up.
- Then, find a piece of paper large enough to cover the letters. You can use printer paper or a paper bag for this. Do not use wrapping paper, as those cannot tolerate heat. Also, do not use any covering with a waxy exterior.
- Put the iron on top of the paper, pressing down for 30 seconds over every letter on the jersey.
- Peel away the paper. If you are lucky, most of the letters will peel off. You can repeat this process using a fresh piece of paper to clean up any chunks of vinyl lingering on the jersey.
Note that this process can be tiring, especially if the vinyl keeps breaking and coming off in small pieces.
The Hair Dryer Method
Tools needed:
- Hairdryer.
- Cardboard or towel
- Tweezers (they are indispensable at this point).
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you love your iron and are worried about damaging it, you should try using a hairdryer. During this process, the hair dryer does not touch the vinyl.
This way you do not have to worry about causing damage to the dryer or the fabric. As mentioned above, heat-based methods like this work better on cotton jerseys than polyester.
- Insert cardboard or a towel inside the jersey. The purpose of this is to insulate the other side and protect it from being damaged by heat.
- Again, look at the care instructions to make sure that your jersey can withstand high temperatures. Note that some fabrics melt when exposed to intense heat.
- Next, place and arrange your jersey flat on an ironing board with the vinyl facing up.
- Set your hairdryer to its hottest setting.
- Move the dryer over the letters, going back and forth and holding it as close as possible to the vinyl without actually touching it.
- After 30 seconds, the adhesive on the letters will start to soften, making them easier to remove. Next, use tweezers or a sharp knife to try peeling up an edge of the vinyl.
- Keep on with the heating and peeling process to separate all the letters from the fabric.
- Continue warming up small areas of each letter and peel them off. Make sure the part you are working on is hot, or this will not work.
- After removing all the letters, there may be a little adhesive left on the garment. To extract this, use rubbing alcohol. Be sure to examine it on a hidden corner of the jersey first because you might ruin it if you do not.
The Dryer Method (wash dryer not to be mistaken for hair)
Tools needed:
- Dryer
- Knife
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The dryer method is not as effective as other methods. Therefore, it is better used as a follow-up method after trying another technique. Likely because it works perfectly to remove adhesive residue.
Nevertheless, it is a relatively simple process. Just throw the jersey straight into your washing machine. When the cycle ends, arrange it in the dryer in a super hot setting. When you remove the dry shirt, use a knife to scrape away any lasting letter bits.
Petroleum Jelly (Bonus Method)
Tools needed:
- Petroleum jelly.
- Cardboard.
- Liquid laundry soap.
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Like the dryer method, petroleum jelly is also less effective than other methods and it works better as a follow-up. The less encouraging part is that it takes a long time and is, frankly, a lot of work.
However, it does a fantastic job of removing adhesive residue when you finish trying another technique.
Here is how it works:
- First, turn your jersey inside out.
- Place a piece of cardboard inside the jersey and arrange it so that the shirt stretches tightly and lies flat.
- Apply about a tablespoon of petroleum jelly with your hand and use it to rub the jelly over the back of the vinyl letters in circular movements.
- Next, add a few drops of liquid laundry soap. Rub this in over the jelly. The adhesive should start clumping up by now.
- Soak the fabric in hot water to get rid of the adhesive and rinse it away.
- Repeat until you get the desired result.
The petroleum jelly will probably leave an oily stain on your fabric. If you notice a stain, dish soap is terrific at removing oily residue. Also, make sure you wash it as soon as you finish!
Stitched On Lettering
Tools needed:
- Seam ripper.
- A magnifying glass (maybe).
Some Soccer jerseys have sewn-on lettering, and this is not exactly mainstream. However, if your soccer jersey has sewn-on lettering instead of vinyl, this is the best method for you.
Here is how to remove stitched letters on a soccer jersey:
The first step is to turn the jersey inside out and use a seam ripper to cut the stitching. Of course, you have to be careful while doing this.
Make sure you do this in a place with a lot of light and with a magnifying glass if possible. Generally, stitches can be pretty small and hard to see through, so you must have plenty of light to cut them successfully.
If you can’t get rid of the numbers and letters after you’ve cut all the stitches, then glue might have been used as well. In this case, use an iron or hairdryer like directed above to loosen the glue, then peel or rip the lettering off.
Conclusion
With the above methods, in a few hours, you will have a vacant jersey. Of course, you would look a little different when you go to the stadium with an empty jersey. But what matters is your happiness and peace.
Remember, not all the methods are suitable for every material. So, ensure that your jersey’s material is suitable for the desired method of removing the lettering you choose.
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!