Caring for Your Custom Patches: How to Wash, Dry, and Maintain

You've just added amazing custom patches to your gear, which look fantastic. But what happens when laundry day arrives? Whether you're showing off your own custom patch designs or a business owner supplying custom patches to customers, knowing how to properly care for these embellishments ensures they'll stay vibrant and securely attached wash after wash.

The good news is that caring for custom patches is surprisingly simple. Ninja Patches are tested to withstand up to 50 wash cycles and beyond with proper care. In this guide, we'll walk through everything you need to know about washing, drying, and maintaining custom patches to keep them looking their best for years.

Table of contents

• What Are Custom Patches?

• How to Wash Custom Patches

• Caring for Different Patch Types

• How to Wash Hats with Custom Patches

• How to Dry Custom Patches

• Tips for Custom Patch Care

• Things to Avoid

• Conclusion

What are custom patches?

For those who don't know, custom patches are eye-catching, dimensional emblems made from various materials, including embroidered thread, PVC rubber, genuine or faux leather, woven materials, and more.

They are easy to make and stand out from standard prints with their tactile presence and professional appearance, instantly elevating any garment they adorn. Patches offer decorators an affordable way to create upscale branding and dramatically increase product value compared to regular prints or DTF transfers.

Custom patches have exploded in popularity because they're incredibly durable and can be applied to virtually anything-from caps and jackets to bags and uniforms. Applied using a heat press machine (typically at 350°F for 20 seconds), patches transform ordinary items into premium custom pieces. You can even use a home iron. While they share application methods with DTF transfers, their added structure and dimension require some specific care considerations, which we'll cover next.

How to wash custom patches

Caring for custom patches doesn't require specialized equipment or complicated procedures. The basic washing process for most patches is remarkably straightforward:

1. Turn your patch-adorned items inside out

2. Select a cold or lukewarm water cycle

3. Use a mild detergent

4. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleaches, and liquid fabric softeners

This simple approach works for most garments with heat-pressed patches. Follow all the normal rules that apply to washing different garment fabric types.

Caring for different patch types

Most patches require no special treatment beyond our basic washing instructions, but here are some extra tips for patches that need a little TLC or have gotten especially dirty:

• Embroidered Patches & PVC Rubber Patches: For stubborn stains or dirt, you can spot-clean with mild detergent and a soft cloth before washing.

• 3D Embroidered Patches: A soft toothbrush works wonders for gentle cleaning without damaging the design if dirt gets trapped in raised elements.

• Chenille Patches: These plush patches occasionally benefit from a light brushing in the direction of the fibers to restore their texture after washing.

• Leather Patches & Faux Leather Patches: If cleaning becomes necessary, use a barely damp cloth and avoid soaking these materials.

• Rhinestone Patches: After washing, it's worth a quick check to make sure all stones remain secure -though they're designed to withstand normal washing.

• Velcro patches: Any patches with velcro backing should be removed before washing, as they could come off in the wash or dryer and adhere elsewhere. Simply wash them by hand.

How to wash hats with custom patches

Hats with custom patches require a gentler approach than regular garments. For best results, hand wash your patched caps using mild soap, lukewarm water, and a soft cloth. This method lets you clean thoroughly while avoiding the rough tumbling of machine washing that can damage the hat's structure.

After washing, reshape the hat and allow it to air dry naturally. Avoid the temptation to use a clothes dryer, as the heat and tumbling can permanently alter the hat's form. While machine washing (or even dishwashers, as some suggest) might seem convenient, these methods risk misshaping your hat. Your Ninja Patches are built to last, but the hat they're attached to may not be as resilient to aggressive cleaning methods.

How to dry custom patches

Proper drying keeps your patches looking their best after washing. For optimal results, remember to turn your patched items inside out during the drying process. This simple step continues to protect the edges of your patches from catching or snagging on other laundry items.

Hang drying is ideal for most patched garments. The gentle air-drying method eliminates any risk of heat damage while preventing unnecessary stress on the adhesive bond. If you must use a dryer, select the lowest heat setting possible and remove items while slightly damp to prevent over-drying.

Tips for custom patch care

Keeping your custom patches looking sharp comes down to a few simple habits. Here are our top recommendations for maximizing the lifespan and appearance of your patches:

• Use mesh laundry bags for added protection, especially for items with multiple patches or delicate patch types like rhinestones or 3D embroidered varieties.

• Don't overload your washing machine when cleaning patched items. Overcrowding leads to excessive friction and can potentially damage patch edges or cause premature lifting.

• Pre-treat stains promptly rather than letting them set. For food or dirt on embroidered patches, a gentle dab with mild detergent using a soft cloth can work wonders before the full wash.

• Allow new patches to fully bond before washing. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours after heat pressing before the first wash to ensure the adhesive has properly set.

• Check patch edges periodically for any signs of lifting. A quick re-press with your heat press (or household iron for minor touch-ups) can reseal edges before they become a bigger issue.

• Proper storage is essential when patched items are not in use. Fold them with the patched side facing outward or hang them to prevent unnecessary pressure on the patch surface.

• Consider hand washing valuable or heavily patched items to extend their lifespan. This extra care pays off for special pieces with sentimental or promotional value.

• If ironing is necessary, work from the inside of the garment first, then use a pressing cloth between the iron and any patches if you need to iron the front side.

Things to avoid

Keep your patches looking their best by steering clear of these common patch care mistakes:

• Hot water washing: High temperatures can weaken the adhesive bond between your patch and garment, potentially causing lifting or separation.

• Harsh chemicals and bleach: Strong detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners can degrade patch materials and colors over time.

• Direct ironing on patch surfaces: Excessive heat applied directly to patches can damage designs, melt adhesives, or warp PVC and other heat-sensitive materials.

• Washing patched items right-side out: This exposes patch edges to potential snagging on other items and increases friction on the design surface.

• Industrial laundry services: The high temperatures and aggressive chemicals used in commercial laundering can severely damage custom patches.

• Dry cleaning without notification: Always alert your dry cleaner about patches on your garments, as some cleaning solvents may affect adhesives.

• Heavy scrubbing or brushing: Aggressive cleaning motions can fray embroidered threads, damage detailed designs, or loosen elements like rhinestones.

Keep your patches looking their best

With these simple care methods, your custom patches can maintain their vibrant appearance and strong adhesion for dozens of washes. Custom patches continue to be one of the most effective ways to elevate ordinary apparel into standout branded pieces. Their dimensional quality and professional appearance instantly boost perceived value while creating a lasting impression–all with minimal care requirements.

When you're ready to enhance your apparel line or personal collection with premium custom patches, explore the full range of options at Ninja Patches, from classic embroidered styles to eye-catching PVC designs and many more styles. Pair them with quality blanks from Ninja Blanks for a complete customization solution that's built to last.