How to wash a football scarf without ruining it

Published 19 October 2026

To wash a football scarf, remember three rules: 30°C maximum on a delicate cycle (or by hand), a mild detergent with no bleach, and drying flat, never in the tumble dryer for woven or satin scarves. The rest depends on the material: a knitted acrylic scarf is not cared for in quite the same way as a woven polyester one.

Work out what kind of scarf you have

Before it goes in the water, check how it is made. Two main families fill the stands.

• Knitted (jacquard) scarves: thick, warm and soft. The back is a negative of the front, and there are usually fringes at both ends. Most are acrylic. That covers classic jacquard scarves and HD jacquard scarves, which have a finer knit.
• Woven or printed scarves: thinner, smoother and lighter, in polyester. An HD woven scarf feels crisp and tight; a printed satin scarf is printed and glossy. Front and back can be different.

If you are not sure, our article on jacquard vs woven scarves explains the visible differences. And if there is a care label sewn into the scarf, follow that first.

Washing a jacquard (knitted acrylic) scarf

Acrylic knit is tough, but it does not like heat or friction, which stretch the stitches and speed up bobbling.

By hand: the gentlest option

1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water, around 30°C.
2. Add a little detergent for delicates and let it dissolve.
3. Submerge the scarf and squeeze it gently a few times, without rubbing or wringing.
4. Leave it to soak for about ten minutes, then rinse in clean water at the same temperature.
5. Press the water out between your hands, then roll the scarf up in a towel to soak up the rest.

In the machine

Choose a delicate or wool cycle at 30°C with a low spin. Put the scarf in a mesh laundry bag so the fringes are less likely to tangle or snag. Wash it on its own or with similar colours, and keep it away from anything with zips or Velcro that could pull threads.

Washing a woven or satin (polyester) scarf

Polyester dries quickly and creases little, but heat can mark the fabric and dull the sheen of satin.

• Wash at 30°C on a delicate cycle, or by hand in lukewarm water.
• Mild detergent, with no bleach or harsh stain remover.
• No tumble dryer: the heat can mark or distort the scarf.
• If a crease will not shift, a gentle iron on the reverse is enough, ideally with a thin cloth between the iron and the scarf.

Woven and satin scarves do not always have fringes; when they do, a laundry bag is still a good idea.

Drying: always flat

This is the step that makes the difference over time. A wet scarf hung up stretches under its own weight, especially a knitted one.

• Lay it flat on a dry towel or a flat drying rack.
• Reshape it by hand: straight edges, even width.
• Untangle and straighten the fringes with your fingers while they are damp.
• Dry it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators to protect the colours.

Turn it over halfway through so both sides dry evenly.

Fringes, stains and bobbles

Looking after the fringes

The fringes take the most wear. After each wash, comb them gently with your fingers from root to tip. If a few strands stick out, trim them level with sharp scissors, without cutting too short. Do not pull on a fringe that is coming loose: it is better to stitch it back by hand.

Dealing with a stain

Act quickly. Dab the stain with a clean cloth and cold water, without rubbing, so you do not spread it or damage the fibres. A drop of delicate detergent or mild soap can help; rinse afterwards. Always test a product on a small hidden area first, and keep bleach and solvents well away.

Removing bobbles

Bobbles mostly affect knitted acrylic, where the scarf rubs against a coat. Lay it flat and run a fabric shaver or de-bobbling comb over it in short strokes, without pressing. Be especially gentle on HD jacquard, which has a finer knit.

Keeping the colours bright

The colours are the whole point of a football scarf. A few common-sense precautions:

• wash it separately or with similar colours for the first few washes, especially if it combines a strong shade (red, claret, royal blue) with white;
• wash it inside out or in a laundry bag to limit friction;
• do not leave it to dry or lie around in the sun;
• do not wash it more than you need to: after a wet Saturday, airing it often does the job.

Storing your scarf between seasons

At the end of the season, wash the scarf before putting it away: sweat and the odd spilt drink set in over time. Once it is completely dry, fold it loosely or roll it up and keep it in a drawer or a breathable fabric bag, away from light and damp. Do not hang it by the fringes; use a wide hanger if you want it on display.

What to avoid

• Washing above 30°C.
• The tumble dryer.
• Bleach and harsh stain removers.
• Ironing a knitted jacquard scarf, or ironing a woven or satin scarf on a high heat.
• A fast spin, or wringing the scarf out.

If you ordered your scarves from us, treat this as general care advice: it is based on the materials we use, but it does not replace common sense when faced with a stubborn stain or unusual use. For anything else, our FAQ covers the most common questions, and the scarf configurator lets you compare techniques before you order.