Washing and Drying Custom Team Uniforms the Right Way
By BOA | Running Shorts & Apparel | Made in the USA | Published: 2026-10-20
Category: Tips & Care
Learn how to wash and dry custom team uniforms to keep colors bright, fabric breathable, and prints intact. Simple steps for Vapor Lite gear and more.
Quick answer
Wash custom team uniforms in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air-dry or tumble-dry on low to protect the fabric, prints, and breathability.
Why gentle care matters for Vapor Lite and custom prints
Custom team uniforms often use lightweight, high-performance fabrics like Vapor Lite polyester. This material is fully perforated for breathability and has a mechanical four-way stretch. Aggressive washing or high heat can damage the perforations, reduce moisture-wicking performance, and cause prints or sublimation to fade or peel.
Sublimation prints are dyed into the fabric, which makes them more durable than screen-printed designs. However, improper drying—especially high heat—can still cause colors to shift or the fabric to shrink. Mesh panels and thin straps on singlets are particularly vulnerable to snagging in a machine.
Using the right wash and dry routine keeps your team's uniforms looking sharp and performing well all season. It also saves you from replacing gear prematurely.
How to wash and dry your custom team uniforms
- Turn uniforms inside out: Turn each garment inside out before washing. This protects printed logos, numbers, and sublimation patterns from rubbing against other items in the machine. Inside-out washing also reduces pilling on the outer fabric surface.
- Use cold water and a gentle cycle: Set your machine to cold water and the gentle or delicate cycle. Hot water can shrink Vapor Lite fabric and accelerate fading of prints. A mild, color-safe detergent works best. Avoid fabric softeners—they coat the polyester fibers and block moisture-wicking.
- Skip the dryer or use low heat: Air-dry uniforms by hanging them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. If you must use a dryer, select the lowest heat setting and remove garments while slightly damp. High heat can warp mesh panels and cause shrinkage. Check the care tag on your specific uniform—some prints may require line drying only.
Product care highlights
- Women's Custom Vapor Lite Interval Singlet - Pittsley Ben: The Women's Custom Vapor Lite Interval Singlet is made from ultra-lightweight polyester that is fully perforated on both front and rear for breathability and moisture-wicking. Harsh detergents or high heat can clog or damage the perforations, reducing the fabric's ability to breathe and dry quickly during runs.
Women's Custom Vapor Lite Interval Singlet - Pittsley Ben - Men's Custom Mesa Regular Fit Vapor Lite L/S Tee - Pittsley Ben: The Men's Custom Mesa Regular Fit Vapor Lite L/S Tee uses the same premium Vapor Lite fabric with mechanical four-way stretch. The four-way stretch means the shirt moves with you, but over-stretching when wet or using high heat can break down the elastic fibers over time.
Men's Custom Mesa Regular Fit Vapor Lite L/S Tee - Pittsley Ben
