Pre-Game Warmies

HTV Lifecycle

Generally, Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) can last up to 50 wash cycles. This equates to roughly 1-2 years, depending on the frequency of use. It all comes down to the quality of the film and how the item is treated by it’s owner. Yard Sale Hockey Co uses top-of-the-line HTV and applies it with a commercial heat press machine to ensure our products last longer in-game, as long as you don’t draw a penalty.

Penalties

No Dry-cleaning

While effective for many fabrics, dry cleaning is incompatible with HTV. The process involves chemical solvents and lots of heat. Those two react negatively with the adhesive and plastic components of HTV, causing premature peeling and cracking. Our items are easy to toss in the wash, so save that money for locker room beer.

Wash Inside Out

During a load of laundry, your stuff is tumbled against each other, which can be particularly damaging to HTV. Turning the garment inside out creates a buffer, like your pads, which minimize direct contact between the HTV and other items in the wash.

Don’t Overload

With any load of laundry, you never want to fill the washer. Crowding will hinder its ability to clean and rinse effectively. A detergent film is especially damaging because it can break down the adhesive bond of the HTV and degrade the vinyl itself. This can lead to premature peeling, cracking, and fading of the design.

Warm or Cold

When washing items with HTV, you should never use temperatures that exceed human touch. If the temperature of the water is too high, it can weaken the adhesive of the vinyl, causing it to peel or crack with time. We recommend washing in cold or warm water.

Keep it Simple

Any detergent that has special additives to "whiten", "fight stains", or "brighten colors" is going to be too harsh for your HTV. Also, “green” detergent is typically too corrosive for heat transfer vinyl.

Like REAL Simple

Just like with detergent, fabric softeners and bleach can be very damaging to your HTV. We suggest NEVER using bleach or fabric softeners on your decorated garments to ensure your transfer lasts.

Dry Gently

Hang dry is the best way to dry HTV decorated garments, but it is okay to tumble dry or use low heat. Just like with the washing process, you want to keep the item inside out and use minimal heat to protect your heat transfer vinyl. If you choose to hang dry your clothing, it will also help minimize wrinkles seen in the HTV after washing.

Hide your Iron

Just like with washing and drying, ironing can be done at very high temperatures, so you want to avoid ironing the garment when possible. Ironing can cause the vinyl or adhesive to melt or burn. If you must iron the shirt, make sure you are using low heat and you have a cloth or towel between the iron and the transfer.

Avoid Direct Sunlight (Stay at the Rink)

Most material is susceptible to damage when exposed to sunlight for extended periods, including HTV. Fading and peeling are primarily due to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight. While it is good to touch grass every now and then, the rink is your home.