Okay, so here’s the deal. My kid plays football, and after every practice, his uniform is just…disgusting. Grass stains, mud, you name it. And those pants, with the built-in pads? I always wondered if I could just toss them in the washing machine. I mean, wouldn’t that be the easiest thing?
So, I did a little digging. I, uh, looked at the tag on the pants, but to be honest I was too lazy to do more search. Finally I decided to give a try, the worst thing to happen is that I messed them up.
My Experiment (aka Laundry Day)
First, I took out the pants from my son’s training bag. I remember I checked the pockets. You never know what treasures you’ll find in there – rocks, candy wrappers, half-eaten snacks. Once, I even found a frog! Thankfully, this time, they were empty.
Next, I turned the pants inside out. My thinking was that this would protect the outer part of the pants from getting too beat up in the wash. And maybe it would help the pads get cleaner, too. Seemed logical, at least.
- Cold Water: This was a no-brainer. Hot water can mess up fabrics and colors, and I didn’t want the pads to shrink or warp.
- Gentle Cycle: Again, I was trying to be cautious. I didn’t want the machine to be too rough on the pants.
- Mild Detergent: No bleach or anything harsh. Just a regular, gentle detergent that I use for the kids’ clothes.
Then, I threw the pants into the washing machine. I also added some other clothes, mostly dark-colored towels and my son’s other practice gear. It helps balance the load.
I started the machine and waited. To be honest, I was a little nervous. I kept picturing the pads falling apart or the pants getting shredded.
The Result
When the cycle was done, I pulled out the pants, and…they were fine! Seriously, they looked great. The mud and grass stains were gone, and the pads were still intact. I checked them, I felt them, I even smelled them (they smelled clean!).
I hung the pants to air dry. I definitely didn’t want to put them in the dryer – again, heat and football pads don’t seem like a good mix. Plus, I didn’t want to risk shrinking the fabric.
So, there you have it. You totally can wash football pants with pads in them. At least, I did, and it worked out perfectly. Just remember: cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, and air dry. It’s pretty simple, really. Now, if only I could figure out how to get my kid to remember to take his dirty uniform out of his bag before it sits there for three days…
