You’re cleaning your vintage sportswear wrong.

That deadstock Raiders starter jacket you scored? The '96 Olympics windbreaker that's your pride and joy? You might be destroying them every time you do laundry.

While the internet is packed with guides on cleaning everything from sneakers to suits, vintage sportswear requires its own playbook. These aren't your average gym clothes - they're pieces of history that need special care.

Fear not: We got you. Gameday Grails tapped in with some of the biggest names in the vintage sportswear community to uncover the secrets to keeping your grails fresh without ruining them.

Let’s get into it:

👕 EXPERT TIP #1: Manolo Prado’s Soaking Method

The Upcycle God, Manolo Prado, is known in the community for upcycling vintage jerseys and swears by soaking his pieces before washing them.

Why?

Soaking in cold water (with a bit of OxiClean for extra oomph) draws out all the gunk and grime that can linger in 30- or 40-year-old clothes. This step helps loosen up dirt without the risk of harsh agitation in the washing machine.

How to soak:

• Fill a basin or sink with cold water.

• Add a scoop of OxiClean.

• Let your piece sit for an hour or two, preferably overnight.

🧼 EXPERT TIP #2: TampaBayVintage's Stain Secret

"For anything polyester — satin jackets, windbreakers, puffers — Shout is your best friend for stains," says TampaBayVintage, a longtime seller and Tampa team diehard.

Since polyester is a synthetic fabric, it needs a different treatment than cotton or wool items would.

He also shared that a lesser-known laundry tool can help restore that crispy, “new” feeling once the stains are out.

Sizing Finish is like laundry starch taking HGH and living in the gym for a decade. The spray's goal is to add body to clothes. When it is used on synthetic fabrics like polyester, it makes them feel crispy and fresh, like a hot croissant out of the oven.

When your starter jacket stains have been shouted out, hit’em with the sizing, and voila, your old jacket will feel like new.

🌞 EXPERT TIP #3: Mr. Throwback's Golden Rule

Mr. Throwback's reputation in the vintage game is legendary, and his most passionate plea is simple: hang dry everything.

Dryer heat is your grails' worst enemy, leading to cracking, shrinking, and broader heartbreak. "The dryer is where grails go to die," he says. "One hot cycle can undo decades of survival." Instead:

• Use sturdy hangers to prevent shoulder stretching

• Find a shaded, well-ventilated spot

• Let time do the work

🧢 BONUS TIP: Revive White Hats

Got a vintage white hat with those dreaded yellow sweat stains? TampaBayVintage's secret formula never fails:

1. Start with a scrub in cold water using a Zote soap bar

2. Create a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

3. Work the paste into the stained areas

4. Let it sit in direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes

5. Rinse thoroughly with cold water

We hope this helps you keep your items in tip-top shape. Treat your vintage grails right, and they’ll stay game-day-ready for years.

@gamedaygrails

How to clean vintage sportswear #vintagesportswear #cleaningtips #gamedayoutfit #cleaningvintage #fyp #vintagestreetwear

Do you have any cleaning hacks? Please share your tips (or fails) with us on Instagram or Tiktok: @GamedayGrails. We’d love to feature your tips!

Old Shirt, New Story:

We’ve been selling out our archive of vintage sportswear for a few years now, but a few weeks ago, we received a DM that reminded us why we love this game.

We sold this vintage Ohio State Rugby from Nutmeg Mills the other day.

…Then something really cool happened.

We got this DM from Matt G.

Then he sends us this picture:

That’s Matt, his mom, and his dearly departed dad on Christmas in 1988. His dad is wearing the exact same rugby we sold him. Now, 35+ years later, Matt can wear the same clothes his dad once had.

These aren't just clothes. This is history you can wear.

@gamedaygrails

A new story about an old shirt. #vintagesportswear #vintage #vintagefashion #nutmegmills #gamedayoutfit

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