Cameron Allen
The Gi and belt you wear is your pride and soul of Jiu Jitsu. Taking good care and respecting it is not only essential to become better at your combat sport but to create a reputation for being disciplined.
Aside from that, having and wearing a clean GI will help you avoid many skin diseases and infections during training and matches. This is because the mats are not always clean and disinfected.
Washing & Drying Gis: How to Wash Your Jiu Jitsu Gi
It is very useful to take care of your Jiu-Jitsu, as it preserves longevity and maintains the quality of the cloth. Common problems like shrinking, color fading, and damage to the fabric can easily be avoided through proper care, by accommodating instruction guidelines.
Furthermore, it enhances the hygiene and cleanliness factor, especially in training Jiu-Jitsu involving close contact with other opponents. Most martial artists are prone to catching contagious skin infections if their training environment is not hygienic.
Don’t use hot water
It is not recommended to use hot water at all. Jiu Jitsu His are prone to damage, discoloration, and shrinking if you use hot water.
To enhance the longevity, and durability and to maintain the original size, you should always use cold water or lukewarm water when washing. Make sure to keep an eye on your washing machine’s water temperature if you are not washing by hand.
For a better result, find out more about the best temperature by doing some research on the brand of Gi you are using on their website.
Do not use fabric softener or bleach
It is absolutely true that both fabric softener and bleach are considered harmful for the clothes especially if used regularly for a prolonged period of time. While, a fabric softener would leave a residue on the cloth, reducing the performance of the grip.
Bleach is also said to weaken cloth quality and cause discoloration. Stick to a gentle laundry detergent and leave it to hang dry to retain top-notch fabric quality. You can also easily find specific shampoos made for washing your Gis and other combat sports clothes and equipment.
Simple Steps to Wash Your Gi
Following these simple steps will help you to learn how to wash your Jiu Jitsu Gi while retaining its quality, with subsequently maintaining its cleanliness:
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Fill the sink or your washing machine will cold water
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Turn your Gi inside out to protect the color and embroidery
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Pour in a small amount of mild detergent
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Let your machine wash the Gi, as it rotates a complete cycle, if you are performing a hand wash, gently rub and knead out the stains
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After the cycle is completed or you are done with your hand wash, strain any excess water
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Hang dry your Gi overnight outside in the open air, do not use hairdryers or anything as such as they will shrink your gi
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When the clean Gi has completely dried, carefully fold it and keep it with other clothes that are clean.
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Simple Steps to Dry Your Gi
Follow these steps after you first wash your Gi for effective drying:
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Squeeze out any excess water from the washed garment
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Hang your Gi up exposing it to air dry
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Make sure to avoid direct sunlight, so as to prevent the risk of fading
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Leave it for a complete air dry, before storing it with other clothes or before wearing
How to Wash Your Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards & Shorts
Follow this brief and easy procedure to wash your Jiu-Jitsu Rash Guards and Shorts
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Turn the garment inside out
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Soak in cold water or place in wash machine, following the use of a mild detergent
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Scrub any stains gently
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Rinse thoroughly using cold water
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Allow air drying by hanging them outside
Having clean rash guards and shorts is just as important as having a clean gi, these are meant to protect your lower body from rashes and infections. They are also in closer contact as they are usually skin-tight. Keep all your gear clean and avoid any kind of infections like Ring Worm.
How Often Should You Wash Your Jiu-Jitsu Gear?
Maintaining a strong standard of hygiene is crucial to ensure longevity in your fitness journey. Whether you train for a strength sport like powerlifting or a combat sport like Jiu-Jitsu, washing your gear holds great importance.
Jiu-Jitsu is a very demanding sport, you will find yourself gassed out and drenched in sweat within minutes of starting your training. You will also find yourself, your training partners, and your jiu-jitsu kimono become dirty within one training session.
Essentially, it is best for your gear to be washed regularly and after hard training sessions. Washing your Jiu-jitsu kimono immediately after training is a good habit to have. Make sure you only wash immediately when it is needed, there is no need to waste time and money washing gear that is not dirty.
Wash your gi immediately after practice
Washing your Gi pants and Gi jacket right after you train is one of the best habits you can establish in your weekly training routine. There are multiple reasons why this is such an efficient habit.
Firstly, right after training, your BJJ kimono is already wet from your sweat and the stains have not set it. This means that the stains have not hardened or dried meaning they are easier to remove. Not only will it make this make it easier to clean but you will also save money on stain remover liquids.
Secondly, is peace of mind. Washing your equipment immediately in a fixed routine means you will have clean gear ready before your next class. This will help you save time and keep you stress-free, as no one wants to go through the hassle of missing training because your clothes are not clean.
The importance of a clean Jiu-Jitsu
Wearing and training with a clean Jiu Jitsu Gi holds great importance for many reasons.
Firstly, cleanliness is crucial for maintaining good hygiene and preventing the spread of bacteria and skin infections as the mats are often not cleaned regularly in gyms. Regularly washing your Gi helps to eliminate any sweat, dirt, or other germs that may collect on it during training sessions.
Secondly, a clean BJJ Gi allows for better grip and control during grappling and wrestling. If your Gi is dirty or sweaty, you can slip which is bound to affect your ability to execute techniques effectively and efficiently.
Lastly, training with clean and disinfected gear shows respect for your training partners and the sport itself. It demonstrates your commitment to professionalism with your opponents. Make sure to keep all your gear clean and learn how to wash jiu-jitsu gis at home!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Wash Your Gi in the Washing Machine?
You can totally wash your Gi in the Washing Machine, however, you need to make sure to check the care instructions on the label tag. This will enable you to ensure that the garment is suited for machine wash. Furthermore, use cold water and a gentle cycle to avoid any damage.
How Often Should I Wash My Gi?
It is recommended to wash your bjj Gi following each Jiu-Jitsu training session. This helps to eliminate all the dirt, sweat, and bacteria that accumulate on the dirty gi following the training session. A regular wash cycle will help maintain cleanliness and hygiene on a regular basis, ensuring its good condition for your next training.
Can a Jiu Jitsu Gi go in the Dryer?
No, it isn’t recommended to tumble dry or wash the Jiu Jitsu Gi in the tumble dryer. Air drying is considered the best method for drying which also prevents shrinking and helps to maintain the quality of the fabric.
What happens when you wash your gi in hot water?
Washing your Gi with warm water can have adverse effects on the fabric, soon enough it can cause the cloth to lose its shape as it shrinks. Damaged stitching and color fading are additional problems that may arise. Therefore, cold water is the best medium for washing your Gi.
Should I have a rotation of Gis?
Owning multiple GIs is indeed useful, it allows for rotation and serves as a backup GI. The previous garment is able to dry and air out as the new Gi is in use. It allows each Gi time to dry and air out in between uses, plus it adds variety to already available Gis.
However, owning multiple Gis is not really neccesary. It is recommended to have just one high-end and durable Gi especially if you are starting out. This is because one Gi is all you need as a beginner who is likely to train not more than thrice a week.
You can easily maintain a comfortable training and cleaning routine with just one Gi, no need to break the bank!
