Taking care of your gi is essential for any Gracie Jiu Jitsu practitioner. A clean and well-maintained gi will last longer, keep you more comfortable on the mats, and make sure you look your best. In this article, we’ll give you an in-depth guide on how to wash a gi properly and keep it in great shape.

 

Taking Care Of Your Gi

Your gi is an essential part of your training, and proper care is essential to keep it in excellent condition. Regular washing of your gi not only helps in preventing the buildup of bacteria and unpleasant odors but also extends its lifespan. understanding how to wash a gi is crucial to extending your gis lifespan, as well as help you adhere to the common hygiene standards of Jiu Jitsu.

If you’ve never washed a gi before, do not sweat it – Learning how to wash a gi is as easy as tapping out!

 

When to Wash Your Gi?

It’s recommended that you wash your gi after every use to prevent bacteria buildup and unpleasant odors. Bacteria can accumulate in your gi after each training session, and washing it regularly ensures that it stays hygienic and clean.

If you train more than once a day, it’s best to wash your gi between sessions to prevent bacteria buildup. If you can’t wash your gi immediately after training, hang it up to dry as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from growing.

PRE WASHING PROCEDURE

Immediately air dry your Gi after training.

If you have ever made the mistake of forgetting your wet Gi in your training bag after class and left it overnight,..you will recognize the importance of drying it immediately after training.

The dark, moist environment of the gi sitting in your training bag promotes bacterial growth. If enough bacteria establishes itself, it can create a permanent “off” smell in your gi. Even after freshly washing it, after a few minutes on the mat, an odor of “nacho cheese” will start to emanate from the kimono

Washing

Since the Gi must be washed so often, this is a significant factor in caring for your Gi.

I wash in cold or warm water (after the initial shrinkage) and air dry (outside is best).

Bleach is widely considered a bad idea as it weakens the fibres of the Gi. The fibres are then more susceptible to tearing and it shortens the life of the gi.

Hot water will potential shrink your Gi and should be used selectively.

For a NEW Gi: Depending on the weight and weave, some gis will shrink minimally while some can shrink quite a bit. A good rule of thumb is that the heavier the gi, the more it will shrink! If you would like to shrink your gi, please use these steps:

1. Wash with cold water, low spin cycle, and put it in the dryer. Check the fit. If you would like it to shrink more…

2. Wash with hot water, low spin, and put it in the dryer. Check the fit. If you would like it to shrink more…

3. Wash with hot water, high spin cycle, and put it in the dryer again. This will shrink the gi as much as possible.

* be careful when washing a white kimono if there are any other coloured items in the washing machine. No One wants to show up at the academy with a pink Gi after the dye from a red item of clothing leeched into the wash water.

Drying

Speaking of drying, after washing your gi, it’s important to dry it properly as well. Drying your gi is just as important as washing it correctly. There are several different ways to dry a gi, including air drying and using a dryer.

Can You Put Your GI in the Dryer?

You can put your gi in the dryer, but it’s best to hang dry it instead. Drying your gi in the dryer can cause shrinkage and damage the fabric over time. If you do decide to use the dryer, make sure you use the lowest heat setting possible.

Hang Drying Your Jiu Jitsu Gi

Hang drying is by far the best way to dry your gi. It helps maintain its shape and prevents any shrinkage or discoloration of the fabric. Hang dry your gi in an area with good air circulation, such as outside or on a clothesline. Make sure it’s completely dry before folding and storing it away. Avoid hanging your gi in direct sunlight or high humidity, as this can cause discoloration or mildew.

Cold Weather Drying Tips

In cold weather, hang drying your gi may be difficult. In this case, you can use a fan or space heater to speed up the drying process without damaging the fabric of your gi. Avoid placing the gi directly on a heater or fan, but rather use a chair for the gi and place it I front of the heat source.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A GI BE WASHED?

Ideally, you should wash your gi after every training session. If that’s not possible,you may need to acquire additional Gi’s in order to decrease required washing.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU CAN’T WASH YOUR GI RIGHT AWAY?

If you can’t wash your gi right away, hang it up to air out and sprinkle baking soda on it to help absorb any odors or moisture. This will help keep it fresh until you can wash it properly.

Hot or cold water for stains?

For stubborn stains that won’t come out easily with cold water, try using warm water instead as this may help bring out tough stains more effectively than cold water alone would do so. But be careful not to use hot water as this could cause shrinkage of fabric over time if used excessively on delicate fabrics such as those used on most Jiu Jitsu Gis today.

Can you wash your gi with other clothes?

Yes, but make sure to separate light-colored items from dark-colored items as this will help prevent discoloration of either item due to color run-off from one item into another during the washing cycle. Also, avoid washing heavier items such as jeans with lighter items such as t-shirts as this could cause abrasion on lighter fabrics due to weight imbalance during tumbling cycles of washing machines