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Introduction

You found the perfect Chicago Bears sweatshirt. The navy is rich. The burnt orange graphic pops. The fabric feels soft the moment you pull it on.

Now the question is: how do you keep it that way?

Most fans have made the mistake at least once threw a beloved fan sweatshirt in the wash without thinking, pulled it out to find a cracked graphic, a faded logo, or a shrunken fit that used to be perfect. It's one of the most avoidable outcomes in clothing care, and yet it happens constantly because most people treat their NFL sweatshirt exactly like they treat everything else in the laundry.

Fan apparel with printed graphics is a different category. It needs slightly different handling  not complicated, not time-consuming, just specific. Follow the right steps from the first wash and your Bears sweatshirt will look as sharp in year five as it did the day you got it.

This complete care guide covers everything: washing, drying, stain removal, ironing, storage, and the mistakes that silently destroy printed fan apparel over time. Read it once, apply it every wash, and your Bears sweatshirt will outlast seasons, coaching changes, and everything else.

Step 1: Read the Care Label First  Every Single Time

Before anything else, check the care label sewn inside your sweatshirt. This is non-negotiable.

Always check the interior care tag and material blend before washing. The label includes symbols and instructions that tell you the maximum safe wash temperature, whether machine washing is safe, and whether tumble drying is permitted. Ignoring care label instructions is one of the most common reasons fan apparel gets damaged.

Care labels are garment-specific  a 100% cotton Bears crewneck and a cotton-poly blend Bears hoodie may have different ideal temperatures and drying instructions even if they look similar. Never assume the same approach works for every piece.

If the care label has worn off or is illegible, the general rule for printed fan apparel is: cold water, gentle cycle, air dry. That combination protects almost every fabric and graphic combination.

Step 2: Turn It Inside Out Before Every Wash

This is the single most impactful thing you can do to preserve your Bears sweatshirt's graphic  and most people skip it.

The printed areas such as player names, numbers, and logos are highly sensitive to friction. When a garment is washed normally, prints rub against other clothes and the machine drum, which causes cracking over time. By turning it inside out, you protect these delicate areas and reduce direct contact.

This simple move reduces friction damage by 62%. The Bears' iconic C logo and any graphic design on the chest will stay vivid, crisp, and crack-free significantly longer when the printed surface faces inward during every wash cycle.

Make it a habit: inside out goes in, inside out comes out of the wash. Every time.

Step 3: Use Cold Water Always

Using cold water is essential for maintaining the quality of your football jersey. Many people assume that warm or hot water cleans better, but in reality, it damages sports fabrics. Cold water helps preserve color, prevents shrinking, and protects the adhesive used in printed designs.

For cotton and cotton-blend sweatshirts specifically, heat is the primary enemy of both fabric integrity and graphic longevity. Hot water causes cotton fibers to contract  which is what shrinks your sweatshirt. It also weakens the bond between printed ink and fabric fibers, accelerating fading and cracking over multiple washes.

To minimise the risk of causing damage, always pick a cold wash and never wash a shirt over 30°C  consider going even colder.

Cold water cleans effectively for everyday soil and sweat  the most common reasons you're washing your Bears sweatshirt in the first place. Save hot water for heavily soiled workwear and bedding. Your fan apparel doesn't need it.

Step 4: Choose the Right Detergent

Not all laundry detergents treat printed fan apparel equally. The wrong detergent quietly degrades your Bears graphic with every wash cycle.

Use: A mild, liquid laundry detergent. Use a mild, gentle detergent without added bleach or fabric softener. Look for cleaners specially formulated for delicates or sensitive skin. Liquid detergent dissolves more completely in cold water than powder, reducing the risk of undissolved particles sitting on and abrading the graphic surface.

Use less than you think: Use half the recommended detergent dose to avoid residue buildup. Excess detergent doesn't rinse completely in cold water cycles, leaving a residue on the fabric that dulls colors and stiffens the fabric over time.

Never use bleach: Even on white or ash colorway sweatshirts. Bleach can damage fabric and fade color. For brightening whites, use an oxygen-based cleaner instead  it's gentler on both fabric and graphics.

Never use fabric softener: This one surprises most people. Avoid fabric softeners, as the print on a shirt may not respond well to them and start to degrade. It is not worth the fresher smell in exchange for a damaged shirt. Skip fabric softener sheets  their chemicals degrade ink bonds over multiple cycles. If you want softer fabric, add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead it naturally softens without damaging graphics.

Step 5: Select the Gentle Cycle

The wash cycle setting matters more than most people realize. A standard or heavy-duty cycle subjects your sweatshirt to aggressive agitation that's designed for heavily soiled workwear  not fan apparel with printed graphics.

Most modern washing machines have a setting for delicates, which is typically not above 30°C. The spin speed is also lower on this setting, which reduces the risk of the shirt stretching or catching on another item of clothing.

For top-loading machines with a central agitator which are harder on fabrics than front-loaders place your Bears sweatshirt inside a mesh laundry bag before washing. Slipping the garment into a mesh laundry bag is especially important if you have a top-load washer with an agitator. The bag acts as a buffer between the sweatshirt and the agitator, preventing graphic-damaging friction.

Step 6: Wash Separately or With Similar Items Only

What you wash your Bears sweatshirt with is just as important as how you wash it.

It is best to wash jerseys alone. If you must mix, only wash with other synthetic, lightweight athletic wear. Avoid anything with zippers, Velcro, or heavy denim.

Zippers and Velcro act as abrasives inside the drum — they catch on fabric and graphic surfaces during agitation, causing micro-tears and print damage that accumulates with each wash. Heavy denim creates friction against lighter sweatshirt fabric.

Separate your Bears sweatshirt by color too — especially for the first few washes. Dark navy can bleed slightly on the first wash, and you don't want it affecting lighter items in the same load. Wash your ash, sand, or white colorway Bears sweatshirts with lights and similar tones.

Step 7: Drying The Step Where Most Damage Happens

Washing is half the battle. Drying is where most permanent damage to fan apparel occurs and it's almost entirely avoidable.

Air Drying: The Gold Standard

Hang shirts inside-out on rounded plastic hangers to prevent creases and sun damage. This method preserves 92% of color intensity compared to machine drying.

Air drying remains the gentlest and safest method for drying football jerseys. It preserves the fabric integrity and color vibrancy.

For heavier sweatshirts  particularly hoodies  hanging on a hanger can distort the shoulder shape over time as the wet fabric stretches under its own weight. Instead, lay the damp jersey flat on a clean, dry towel, smooth out any wrinkles, and roll the towel up to absorb additional water, then lay the sweatshirt flat on a fresh dry towel or drying rack to finish air drying.

Avoid direct sunlight: Colors should be dried in shade only to prevent fade. Direct sunlight fades prints three times faster than shaded drying. Hang your Bears sweatshirt to dry indoors or in a shaded outdoor area  never in direct sun.

If You Must Use a Dryer

Air drying isn't always practical, especially during the NFL season when you want your Bears sweatshirt ready for Sunday. If you use a dryer:

Select the permanent press setting (below 120°F). Remove items while slightly damp to reduce heat exposure  this prevents 78% of shrinkage incidents. Always turn garments inside-out first for added protection.

Avoid dryers and any heat above 40°C (104°F) to protect adhesives. The adhesive that bonds screen-printed graphics to cotton fibers degrades rapidly under sustained heat  which is why dryer-dried graphic sweatshirts crack and peel faster than air-dried ones, regardless of print quality.

Remove the sweatshirt while it's still slightly damp and lay flat or hang to finish drying naturally. This prevents over-drying and the heat-set cracking that comes with it.

Step 8: Stain Removal The Right Way for Fan Apparel

Game day brings all kinds of stain risks mustard from the tailgate, beer from the celebration, grass from the parking lot, and coffee from the cold morning drive. Here's how to handle the most common ones without damaging your Bears graphic.

The Golden Rule of Stain Removal

Act fast and never use heat. Quick action makes a big difference. Treating stains within minutes helps preserve prints. And critically never put stained fabric in the dryer, as it sets the mark permanently.

Food Stains (Mustard, Ketchup, Nacho Cheese)

Gently scrape off any excess with a butter knife or spoon  never rub, which drives the stain deeper. Blot, don't rub. Use a clean paper towel to blot the area and lift excess residue. Rubbing can drive the stain deeper and damage the print.

Pre-treat with a mild solution of diluted dish soap and cold water. Let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water before washing as normal.

Grease and Oil Stains (BBQ, Sunscreen)

If you're dealing with an oil stain, pretreating with dish soap can do wonders. Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the grease stain, work it gently into the fabric with your fingertip, and let it sit for 15–20 minutes before rinsing with cold water.

Use diluted white vinegar in lukewarm water to gently lift stains. Test on a non-printed area first to be sure it won't affect colors.

Sweat Stains

For sweat buildup around the collar or underarms, pre-treat stains with baking soda paste or OxiClean spray before washing. Mix baking soda with enough water to make a paste, apply to the affected area, and let sit for 30–60 minutes before washing on the cold gentle cycle.

Grass and Mud Stains

For mud or grass, give the spot a quick cold rinse, then let an enzyme stain remover sit for about 10–15 minutes. Allow mud to dry fully before attempting to remove it  trying to scrub wet mud spreads it further into the fabric.

Beer and Drink Stains

Rinse immediately with cold water to dilute the stain. Blot with a clean cloth. Apply a small amount of liquid detergent directly to the area and work in gently with your fingertips. Rinse and wash as normal.

What never to do on a printed sweatshirt: Never use bleach or fabric softener on printed sections. Bleach will strip color from the graphic and the surrounding fabric instantly. Fabric softener will coat the print and begin breaking down the ink bond with repeated application.

Step 9: Ironing and Steaming Handle With Care

Your Bears sweatshirt will occasionally need wrinkles smoothed out. Here's how to do it without destroying the graphic.

Never iron directly on the graphic. Heat applied directly to a screen-printed graphic will melt, blur, or permanently damage the print. If you must iron, turn the sweatshirt inside out and iron on the lowest setting, or place a thin pressing cloth (a plain cotton t-shirt works perfectly) between the iron and the fabric.

Steaming is safer than ironing. For wrinkles, steam from 20–30 cm never touch graphics with an iron. Hold a handheld steamer 20–30cm from the surface of the sweatshirt  close enough to release the wrinkle, far enough that the heat doesn't directly contact and damage the print.

For most everyday wrinkles, simply hanging the sweatshirt in a steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes will release creases naturally without any equipment.

Step 10: Storage Protecting Your Bears Sweatshirt Off-Season

How you store your Bears sweatshirt during the off-season matters more than most people think.

Fold, don't hang for long-term storage. Hanging a heavy sweatshirt for months causes the shoulder seams to stretch and the neckline to distort under the weight of the fabric. Fold neatly and store flat in a drawer or on a shelf.

Store clean only. Never put a sweatshirt away dirty or damp. Even invisible sweat residue will set into the fabric during storage, creating permanent yellowing and odor that no amount of washing will fully remove.

Avoid compression. Don't stack heavy items on top of stored sweatshirts sustained pressure can create permanent creases in the graphic and fabric.

Use breathable storage. Airtight plastic bags trap moisture that can cause mildew. Use breathable cotton storage bags or simply store folded in a dry drawer with good airflow.

Cedar blocks over mothballs. If storing in a space with moth risk, use cedar blocks rather than mothballs. Mothball chemicals can react with fabric dyes and graphics over extended storage periods.

The Complete Quick-Reference Care Guide

Care Step	Do	Don't
Before washing	Turn inside out	Wash graphic-side out
Water temperature	Cold (below 30°C)	Warm or hot water
Detergent	Mild liquid, half dose	Bleach, fabric softener
Wash cycle	Gentle/delicate	Heavy duty, standard
Wash with	Similar lights/darks	Zippers, Velcro, heavy denim
Drying method	Air dry flat in shade	Tumble dry on high heat
Dryer (if needed)	Low heat, remove while damp	Full cycle on high
Stain treatment	Blot cold, pre-treat gently	Rub, use bleach, apply heat
Ironing	Steam from distance, inside out	Iron directly on graphic
Storage	Fold clean in breathable space	Hang long-term, store damp

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How Often Should You Wash Your Bears Sweatshirt?

Here's something most people don't consider: washing less frequently is one of the best things you can do for your sweatshirt's longevity.

To maximize jersey care, only wash when necessary. If you wear an undershirt, you can often go several games between washes.

Every wash cycle subjects the fabric and graphic to water, agitation, heat, and chemical exposure  even a gentle cold cycle. The cumulative effect of 100 wash cycles is significant. The cumulative effect of 50 is much less so.

Wearing a plain long-sleeve base layer underneath your Bears sweatshirt on game day means the base layer absorbs sweat and body oils, keeping the sweatshirt itself clean for longer. After a single low-activity wearing, airing the sweatshirt out overnight is often sufficient  no wash needed.

Spot-treat any isolated stains immediately rather than running the whole sweatshirt through the wash for a single mark. Your Bears graphic will thank you.

Signs Your Sweatshirt Needs Extra Care

Watch for these warning signs that your Bears sweatshirt needs special attention:

Cracking graphic: If the Bears logo or chest graphic is beginning to crack or peel, stop machine washing immediately. Hand wash in cold water only going forward and always air dry flat.

Fading color: If the navy or orange is looking washed out, check your water temperature and detergent  you may be washing too hot or using too much detergent. Switch to cold water and reduce detergent dose.

Pilling on the fabric: Small balls of fiber forming on the surface indicate friction damage from washing with abrasive items or using too aggressive a cycle. Use a fabric shaver to remove existing pills and switch to the gentle cycle.

Distorted shape: If the neckline or cuffs are stretching or losing their shape, you may be machine drying on too high a heat. Switch to air drying flat and the fabric should recover its shape over time.

Shop Chicago Bears Sweatshirts Built to Last

Proper care starts with a proper sweatshirt. Our Chicago Bears premium sweatshirt collection is built from high-quality cotton and cotton-blend fabrics with bold, high-definition graphics designed to stay sharp through years of washing — when cared for correctly.

Available in crewneck and hoodie styles, sizes S through 5XL, in ash, sand, and white colorways.

Wash it right. Wear it for years. Bear Down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you machine wash a Chicago Bears sweatshirt?

Yes machine washing is safe when done correctly. Turn the sweatshirt inside out, use cold water on the gentle cycle, use a mild liquid detergent without bleach or fabric softener, and air dry flat in the shade.

Why does my NFL sweatshirt graphic crack after washing?

Graphics crack when exposed to heat, friction, or harsh chemicals. The most common causes are washing in warm or hot water, machine drying on high heat, using bleach, or washing with abrasive items like zippers and denim. Always wash inside out in cold water on the gentle cycle and air dry.

Can you put a Bears sweatshirt in the dryer?

You can use a dryer on a low heat (below 120°F / 40°C) setting, removing the sweatshirt while slightly damp. However, air drying flat in the shade is always the safer option for preserving fabric shape and graphic quality.

How do you remove a stain from a Bears sweatshirt without damaging the print? Blot never rub  the stain immediately with a clean cloth. Pre-treat with mild dish soap or diluted white vinegar. Rinse with cold water and wash on the gentle cycle. Never use bleach on printed fan apparel and never put a stained sweatshirt in the dryer before the stain is fully removed, as heat sets stains permanently.

Should you use fabric softener on a Bears sweatshirt?

 No. Fabric softener coats fabric with chemicals that degrade the ink bonds in screen-printed graphics over multiple wash cycles. Use a quarter cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead for naturally softened fabric without graphic damage.

How do you store a Bears sweatshirt long-term?

Fold  don't hang the sweatshirt clean and dry in a breathable storage space. Avoid airtight bags that trap moisture, and don't store under heavy items that create sustained pressure on the fabric.

How often should you wash a Bears sweatshirt?

Only when it genuinely needs it. Wearing a base layer underneath extends the time between washes. Airing the sweatshirt out after low-activity wear is often sufficient. Fewer washes means less graphic wear and a longer lifespan for your favorite fan apparel.