Caring for your

Uniforms & Equipment

Shirts & Slacks

·         Machine wash warm with like colors, gentle cycle. Do Not Bleach.

·         Tumble Dry Low — Remove promptly and hang up or fold.

·         Cool Iron*   only, if necessary.

·         *Items with patches or numbers: Cool Iron on the reverse side on top of a clean terry-cloth towel.

·         Caution: Avoid unnecessary prolonged sun exposer to clothing to prevent fading (ie. leaving shirts on seat or hanging in back window of car). Use a garment bag or cover with a cloth (at least down to the shoulder level)

Caps

·         Brush cap with stiff bristle brush to remove dirt and dust.

·         Spot clean cap with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly. Place in a cap shaper (or stuff with a cloth) to retain shape while it dries

·         Most caps are washable, including the wool ones. Use a cap shaper designed to be washed to protect the cap if you place it in the washing machine

·         If washing a wool cap, use Woolite (or a similar product) instead of soap.

·         NEVER dry a cap in the dryer. Place it in a cap shaper or stuff with a cloth to retain its shape while letting it dry.

·         Use a hat liner to hold its shape between games.

·         Allow cap to completely dry of perspiration before storing. This is especially important if it gets wet due to rain.

·         It is not recommended to store in plastic bags since moisture in caps can cause mildew. Use a hat keeper or a cardboard box instead.

Umpire Jackets and Plate Coats

Umpire Jackets

·         Machine wash cold with like colors, gentle cycle.

·         Do Not Bleach. Line Dry or Tumble Dry Low —

·         Remove Promptly and hang up or fold.

·         Cool Iron Only, if necessary.

Plate Coats

·         Professionally Dry Clean Only

Caution: Avoid unnecessary prolonged sun exposer to clothing to prevent fading (ie. leaving jacket on seat or hanging in back window of car). Use a garment bag or cover with a cloth (at least down to the shoulder level)

Shoes

·         Brush soles of shoes with stiff bristle brush to remove dirt.

·         Wipe shoe uppers with a soft cloth to remove dust, dirt and moisture.

·         Store in a cloth shoe bag to keep clean. It is not recommended to store in plastic bags since moisture can cause mildew.

·         Keep a spray bottle of water and a couple of old towels/rags in your gear bag. Spray water on the shoes to remove dust or dirt.

·         If your shoes get muddy, wipe/scrape off excess mud and then use the spray bottle (or take them inside when you get home) to remove the remaining dirt. You can let it dry first; it will work just as well when you are ready to clean them. Just remember to use the water sparingly.

·         Protect shoes using leather conditioners (such as Shoe Polish or Water stop or Parade-grade shoe polish) to ensure long wear ability. Follow leather conditioner directions to maintain polished appearance.

·         For patent leather (or shoes treated with Leather Luster), clean with a soft cloth and water only. If you want to increase the "shine" you can use a spray furniture polish.(Pledge is recommended.

·         Check shoestrings often. Keep a spare set in your gear bag.

Baseball Umpire Protective Equipment

Chest Protectors and Leg Guards

·         Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt.

·         Allow to dry thoroughly of sweat and perspiration before storing.

·         Replacement straps can be purchased when they wear out.

·         Caution: It is possible for rust to form on metal parts of equipment if put away damp.

Umpire Face Masks and Pads

·         Wipe frame clean with a damp cloth to remove. Leather and Suede pads can be spot cleaned only using products specially designed to clean leather and suede (Caution: Don't use Saddle Soap. It will irritate your skin).

·         Allow to dry thoroughly of sweat and perspiration before storing.

Baseball and Other Accessories

·         Indicators & Brooms — wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Allow to dry thoroughly before storing.

·         Ball Bags can be machine washed same as slacks.

·         Cool Collar — Hand wash in cold water with mild soap. Line Dry Only.

·         Belts — wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt. Allow to dry thoroughly of sweat and perspiration before storing.