Your gi is your training armor. It absorbs sweat, friction, grips and sometimes a flying knee. Taking care of it is simple, but most people still ruin theirs way too fast, shrinking it, fading it, or turning it into a stiff cardboard towel.
Here’s how to keep your gi clean, strong, and competition-ready for a long time.
1. Wash it every time. Seriously.
After training, your gi is a bacteria party.
Throw it in the wash, cold water, gentle cycle, no bleach.
- Don’t leave it in your car
- Don’t “air it out”
- Don’t wait until tomorrow
Smelly gis ruin friendships and entire gyms.
2. Skip the dryer. Just hang it.
High heat is the enemy:
- Shrinks fabric
- Damages stitching
- Makes the gi feel weird and stiff
Air-dry only. On a hanger. Done.
If you need it fast, hang it near a fan or window.
Lightweight gis (like ours) dry fast — usually same day.
3. Cold water = long life
Hot water shrinks cotton and destroys color.
Cold keeps your gi:
- in size
- bright
- comfortable
You don’t need complicated detergents. Just simple liquid detergent — avoid fabric softener.
4. Don’t use bleach. Ever.
Bleach kills:
- fibers
- color
- stitching
- lifespan
If you want a white gi to stay white, add a splash of white vinegar. That’s it.
5. Treat stains right away
Blood, sweat, tape residue — they happen.
Pro tip:
Baking soda + water paste, rub, let it sit, then wash.
No fancy products needed.
6. Wash belt separately (yes)
Belt holds:
- sweat
- bacteria
- bad luck
Throw it in with your gi.
No magic. No superstition. Just hygiene.
7. Never train in a wet gi
Wet gis = friction burns + skin infections.
If your gi is still damp before class:
- switch to another
- train no-gi
- or skip
Your skin will thank you.
8. Rotate if you train a lot
If you train 3+ times a week, have at least 2 gis.
You’ll never be stuck training in a wet one.
They’ll last longer.
You’ll smell better. Everyone wins.
9. Fold it loosely, don’t force it
Crunched fabric breaks down faster.
Hang or fold lightly in your bag.
10. If you want your gi to last years, here’s the formula:
- Wash every session
- Cold water
- No dryer
- No bleach
- Hang dry
- Rotate if heavy training
That’s the whole secret.
Why this matters
A good gi isn’t just clothing.
It affects:
- movement
- grip defense
- stamina (lightweight gis stay cool)
- confidence
Take care of it, and it takes care of you.
Want a gi made for everyday training?
We build lightweight, competition-ready gis built to survive:
- hot rooms
- long rolls
- constant washing
- No gimmicks. No BS.
👉 Check out the Everyday Rolls Collection, built for training and built to last.
