How to Care for Your Gi So It Lasts for Years
A good Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi can take a lot of abuse. Between repeated training sessions, sweat, grips, washing, and drying, your gi goes through plenty every week.
The good news? You do not need anything complicated to keep your gi in good shape.
With a few simple habits, you can help prevent shrinking, fading, unpleasant odors, and unnecessary wear so your BJJ gi can last for years.
Whether you are brand new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or have been training for a while, here is how to properly care for your gi.
1. Wash Your BJJ Gi After Every Training Session
This is the most important rule.
Even if your gi does not smell bad immediately after class, it has absorbed sweat, bacteria, and skin oils during training. Leaving a sweaty gi in your gym bag gives bacteria more time to multiply and can lead to stubborn odors.
As soon as you get home, take your gi out of your bag and wash it.
If you cannot wash it immediately, at least hang it somewhere with good airflow so it can dry rather than leaving it balled up in your bag.
A simple routine is:
Take your gi out of your bag after class
Separate it from your other clothes
Wash it as soon as possible
Dry it completely before putting it away
Your training partners will appreciate it, too.
2. Follow the Care Instructions on Your Gi
Not every BJJ gi is made exactly the same way.
Before washing a new gi, check the care label. The manufacturer may recommend a specific water temperature, washing cycle, or drying method.
Following those instructions can help protect the fabric and stitching.
This is especially important if you have invested in a higher quality gi and want it to last.
3. Use Cold or Cool Water
For most BJJ gis, washing with cold or cool water is a good way to help reduce unnecessary shrinking and wear.
Hot water can cause cotton fabric to shrink more quickly, especially if your gi has not been pre-shrunk.
If you are worried about your gi getting smaller, cold water is generally the safer choice.
It also helps protect the fabric and color over repeated washes.
4. Avoid Overloading the Washing Machine
Your gi needs room to move around in the washing machine.
Throwing a heavy gi into an overloaded machine with a pile of other clothes can make it harder to clean properly.
If possible, wash your gi with other lightweight training clothes or give it enough space to move freely.
Also, avoid washing it with items that could damage the fabric, such as clothing with exposed zippers or rough hardware.
5. Use the Right Amount of Detergent
More detergent does not necessarily mean a cleaner gi.
Using too much can leave residue behind, which may eventually contribute to odors or make the fabric feel stiff.
Use a normal amount of quality laundry detergent according to the detergent's instructions.
If your gi still has an odor after washing, focus on washing it promptly and drying it completely rather than simply adding more detergent.
6. Be Careful With Bleach
It can be tempting to reach for bleach when a white gi starts looking less than fresh.
However, bleach can weaken fabric and damage stitching over time.
If your gi needs extra cleaning, check the manufacturer's care instructions before using bleach or other strong cleaning products.
A little discoloration is usually better than accidentally weakening the fabric of a gi you rely on several times a week.
7. Dry Your Gi Properly
How you dry your gi can make a big difference in how long it lasts.
Air drying is often a good option because it reduces the heat exposure that can contribute to shrinking and fabric wear.
Hang your gi somewhere with good airflow and make sure it is completely dry before folding it or putting it away.
If you use a dryer, follow the manufacturer's instructions and be aware that high heat can contribute to shrinking.
Never put a damp gi back into your gym bag.
That is one of the easiest ways to end up with a very unpleasant smelling gi.
8. Do Not Leave Your Gi in Your Gym Bag
This deserves its own section because it is such a common mistake.
You finish class, throw your gi into your bag, get home, and think, "I'll deal with it tomorrow."
Then tomorrow becomes the next day.
By then, your damp gi has been sitting in a dark, enclosed bag for hours.
Instead, make taking your gi out of your bag part of your post-training routine. Even if you cannot do laundry right away, hang it up to dry.
Your gi, your bag, and your training partners will thank you.
9. Clean Your BJJ Gear Regularly
Your gi is not the only thing that needs attention.
If you train regularly, remember to clean your other equipment as well.
That can include:
• Rash guards
• Spats
• Shorts
• Belts
• Knee sleeves
• Mouthguards
• Gym bags
Anything that comes into regular contact with sweat should be cleaned and dried properly.
Keeping your training gear clean is part of being a considerate training partner.
10. Take Care of Small Damage Early
Even a well-maintained gi will eventually show some wear.
You might notice a loose thread, small tear, or damaged stitching.
Do not ignore small problems until they become big ones.
A loose thread can sometimes be trimmed or repaired before it turns into a larger problem. If you notice significant damage around a seam or area that gets a lot of stress during training, consider having it repaired or replacing the gi if necessary.
Regularly checking your gi takes less than a minute and can help you catch problems early.
11. Have More Than One Gi If You Train Frequently
If you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu several times a week, having more than one gi can make your life much easier.
Instead of needing to wash and dry the same gi immediately after every class, you can rotate between them.
This also gives each gi more time to dry completely.
For someone training multiple days per week, having a small rotation of training gis can help reduce wear on any single gi.
12. Keep Your Gi Completely Dry Before Storing It
This sounds obvious, but it is worth emphasizing.
Do not fold a gi while it is still damp.
Even a small amount of moisture trapped inside folded fabric can create an unpleasant smell and encourage bacterial growth.
Make sure the jacket and pants are completely dry before folding them and putting them away.
A few extra minutes of drying can save you from discovering a very questionable smell the next time you open your gym bag.
How Often Should You Wash a BJJ Gi?
Every time you train in it.
A gi should not be worn for multiple training sessions without washing it first.
Even if you only trained for a short class, the gi has still been in close contact with your body and your training partners.
Washing your gi after every use is one of the simplest things you can do to maintain good hygiene on the mats.
How Can You Stop a BJJ Gi From Shrinking?
If you want to minimize shrinking, start by checking the manufacturer's instructions.
In general, washing with cool or cold water and avoiding excessive heat during drying can help reduce additional shrinkage.
Some gis are pre-shrunk, while others may shrink more depending on the fabric and how they are washed and dried.
If you are buying your first gi, it is also worth asking the manufacturer about sizing and expected shrinkage before purchasing.
What If My Gi Still Smells After Washing?
If your gi still smells after being washed, the first thing to look at is your routine.
Are you leaving it in your gym bag for hours?
Are you washing it immediately after training?
Is it completely dry before you store it?
Are you washing your gym bag and other training gear regularly?
Sometimes the smell is not coming from the gi itself. A dirty gym bag, rash guard, or other piece of training equipment can also contribute to lingering odors.
The best approach is to keep your entire training routine clean and consistent.
Your Gi Is Part of Your Training Gear
Taking care of your BJJ gi might not be the most exciting part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but it is an important habit.
A clean, properly maintained gi is more comfortable to train in, lasts longer, and helps create a better experience for everyone on the mats.
Whether you are heading to your first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class or have been training for years, a little maintenance goes a long way.
At Torrent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Hanover, MA, we welcome beginners who are interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a friendly training environment. If you have been thinking about trying BJJ, you can learn more about our classes and see what training is like for yourself.