Updated on April 6, 2021.

Playing the game the right way means getting a little dirty. Hard slides, outfield dives – If you walk away at the end of the ninth without serious mud and grass stains you should probably be riding the pine. But, while dirty baseball or softball pants in the ninth inning are a badge of honor, dirty pants in the first inning just make you look like a slob. Keeping your softball or baseball pants clean between games not only keeps you looking like a pro, it also keeps questions about your personal hygiene at bay.

It likely comes as no surprise, but basic laundering techniques are largely useless for cleaning softball or baseball pants – especially for white pants. But regardless of color or material, tough stains just don’t take to the everyday washer-dryer cycle. Cotton or polyester, black, red, grey, or blue – keeping your baseball or softball pants clean means going about things a little differently.

The good news? 3N2 is here to help you out. With a few handy tools, a couple of cleaning products, and our sure-fire techniques below, your baseball or softball pants will stay super sharp.

But first, let’s find the best baseball and softball pants on the market. Then we’ll play hard and get ‘em dirty. Every player knows that you can never have enough pants, so stock up with some of our favorites:

• 3N2’s Throwback Knickers are classic baseball pants reimagined with modern features.

• Our Pro Poly Pants are unhemmed so you can get the length and ankle finish just the way you like them.

• These Women’s Low-Rise Knickers combine good looks with high performance.

• NuFit Knickers are the stuff dreams are made of. Yoga-inspired and so comfortable you’ll want to wear them everywhere.

Now that you have an ample supply of baseball and softball pants, it’s time to learn how to clean them. Before diving in, review the checklist below to make sure you have the right cleaning tools on hand and always keep the following rule-of-thumb in mind: Treat mud and grass stains as soon as you possibly can. Stains set deeper with time, so the clock is ticking.

A cleaning checklist for your softball or baseball pants:

• A dry sponge or a stiff bristle brush
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Liquid dish soap
• An empty spray bottle
• A bleach-based cleaner like OxiClean
• Laundry detergent

STEP 1: PRETREAT STAINS

Yes, when it comes to cleaning softball pants or baseball pants, there is treating before treating. It’s pretty essential to getting the best stain removal results.

1. Brush it off. Shake it out. While your baseball or softball pants are dry, it’s very important to remove as much dirt as possible. You can do this with a dry sponge or a tile and grout brush (but any stiff bristle brush will do). With long, smooth strokes remove as much of the dirt as possible, making sure to shake all of it off when you’re finished. Smart tip: best to complete this step outside.
2. Mix it up. Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide to one part liquid dish soap in an empty, clean spray bottle. Give it a good shake. It’s valuable to have this mixture on hand as you clean your baseball or softball pants between games, so no harm in mixing up a batch well in advance.
3. Spray it on. Spray the mixture (preferably set on mist) on to both sides of your baseball or softball pants. Don’t be afraid to get them a bit damp. With your brush or sponge, work the peroxide/soap mixture deep into the fabric. You can reapply more of the mixture as you remove stains with your sponge or brush and turn your pants inside out and spray again for unusually difficult stains.
4. Wait 20-30 minutes. Put your treated baseball or softball pants on a flat, clean, dry surface. Don’t despair if the pants don’t look store-bought bright just after treating. Give the cleaning mixture some time to do its thing. Most grass and mud stains on softball pants respond well with the pre-treatment given a bit of time. 20 to 30 minutes is sufficient, but more time = better results, so no harm in letting them sit a bit longer.

STEP 2: SOAK YOUR PANTS

Yes, we said ‘soak your pants.’ Jokes aside, when it comes to removing the toughest grass and mud stains from baseball pants and softball pants, soaking them in a bath of hot water and cleaner is absolutely essential.

1. Fill it up. Fill up a sink or bathtub with hot water. Fully submerge your baseball or softball pants in the water. If necessary, hold the pants underwater by placing something heavy on top of them like a pot or pan.
2. Mix in some cleaner. Add a cup of oxygenated bleach cleaner (like OxiClean) to the water and give it a good stir. Smart tip: If you have white baseball or softball pants, find a cleaner made specifically for whites.
3. Give your pants a soak. Place your softball or baseball pants in the hot water and let them soak in the cleaner/water mixture for a minimum of 2-3 hours. As noted above, more time equals a better clean. So, if you have the time, let the pants sit longer (overnight if possible) to see the best results.
4. Remove and rinse. Remove your softball or baseball pants from the bath and give them a serious twist to wring out excess water and cleaner. Run the pants under the faucet (warm water) to flush away any remaining naughty bits, giving them another twist just after to dry them out a bit. You’re now ready for the washer.

STEP 3: YE OLDE WASHING MACHINE

Like any load of laundry, try to wash like colors together and always wash whites with other whites. This is less of a concern If you have a darker color softball or baseball uniform (for instance blue, red, or black pants), but after putting the scrub and soak work in in Step 1 and Step 2 above, the last thing you want is your white baseball or softball pants becoming pink pants.

1. Throw them in the washing machine. It’s best to get your damp softball or baseball pants from the Step 2 soak into the washing machine ASAP as grass and mud stains tend to dig in deeper once your pants dry.
2. Don’t be shy. When adding your laundry detergent, be generous. Go with a full capful and pour it directly on to your softball or baseball pants (or uniform). No need to drip it in through a dispenser or dilute it by adding it to water. Remember: White pants or white uniform? Use a detergent built for whites.
3. Set it and forget it. Set the washer to your normal wash cycle (or heavy soil cycle for dirtier pants) and let her rip. Smart tip: if you’re feeling cocky, add a bit of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar is great for softening pants and uniforms and making colors pop.

STEP 4: AIR IT OUT

Sure – clothes dryers are hella convenient, but they’re also brutal on softball and baseball uniform and pant fabrics. Although synthetics hold up a bit better, it’s always best to hang-dry your pants and uniforms.

1. Hang it up. Hang your freshly washed pants vertically – ideally somewhere where they can get some air and light. Closets? Bad idea.
2. Enjoy. Once dry, you’ll be amazed at how the effort has paid off. If you want to run a warm (not hot) iron over your dry softball or baseball pants to sharpen them up, go for it. The better you look, the better you play.

Did you try all of the above and still can’t get them clean? Never fear, 3N2 comes to the rescue with new pants and a great selection of baseball and softball gear to keep you looking and performing at the top of your game. Head on over to 3n2sports.com to stock up on pants and use code 3N2PANTS15 to save 15% on your order. Here’s to clean pants and a great season!