A good shin pad sleeve is a season-long investment, and a little care goes a long way toward keeping the compression fit snug and the fabric fresh.
Washing: keep it simple and cool
Hand wash only. Cold water protects the elastic fibres that give the sleeve its compression fit & protects the honeycomb padding— hot water breaks them down much faster, which is the main reason sleeves lose their snugness before the fabric itself wears out.
Skip the tumble dryer
Heat is the biggest enemy of compression fabric. Air dry sleeves flat or hanging, out of direct sun where possible. A tumble dryer's heat can shrink or warp the fit within just a few cycles, even on a low setting.
Don't use fabric softener
Fabric softener coats synthetic fibres and can reduce the moisture-wicking and grip properties built into the fabric. A mild detergent alone is enough to keep sleeves clean without affecting performance.
Storage between matches
Let sleeves fully air out and dry before folding them away in a kit bag — packing them away damp is one of the most common causes of lingering odour and fabric breakdown over a season. Storing them flat rather than tightly rolled also helps the elastic keep its shape.
When to replace them
Even with good care, compression fabric loses some elasticity over time.