Gi Weight
Gi Weight Will Factor Into Longevity
One of the best ways to ensure your gi lasts for a long time is just
to buy a high-quality heavier gi. The basic principle of life that
lighter and thinner fabric is more likely to tear than its thicker
counterparts applies to gis as well, and although a heavy gi may be
hotter and tougher for some to train and compete in, it’ll almost
definitely last longer than a lighter one of equal quality. It’s also
worth remembering that most kimonos are heavier and more durable than
the pants that come with them, so you may be looking at purchasing
another set of pants long before your heaviest kimonos begin to tear.
Although price isn’t necessarily an indication of the gi’s durability
and construction, going with an established brand is almost always a
safer investment than getting a cheaper knockoff.
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Washing Your BJJ Gi
Keeping You Fresh On The Mats
Although using a laundry machine may be pretty straightforward for
most of your wardrobe, there are a few things to keep in mind when
washing a Brazilian jiu jitsu gi. The first important note actually
occurs before you even load the washer, as you always want to allow your
gi time to hang dry after training. Washing your gi while it’s still
drenched in sweat is a good way to give it a permanently funky smell
(more on that later), but allowing it to dry for several hours or
overnight can largely help prevent that.
It’s also best to wash your gi in cold water to avoid shrinkage (also
discussed later), and many people find that adding a splash of white
vinegar to each load will help in numerous ways with cleaning both your
gi and the rest of your workout clothes. In addition, you certainly
don’t need to buy specific detergent for a gi, but using something with
powerful stain and smell removers is always a good move.
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Drying Your BJJ Gi
Properly Drying Your Gi is a Key Factor to a Long Lifespan
Unless you’re (very carefully) trying to shrink your gi, it’s
best to avoid using a dryer on them. Although your gi may say it’s
“pre-shrunk,” you may find that throwing it in the dryer still has a
tendency to shrink and/or warp your brand new gi. Simply hang dry your
gi, and you should find that it’s ready to wear again in about 20-30
hours depending on the climate you live in and where you’re hanging it.
If you’re very concerned about shrinkage, it’s also worth keeping your
wet gi away from radiators, heaters, and any other artificial heat
source. To check if a gi is dry, simply feel or squeeze the collar (or
another extra thick part) for any dampness.
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Shrinking a Gi Down to Size
How to Properly Shrink Your Gi Down to Size
It’s generally not recommended to attempt to shrink a gi down to your
size, but sometimes it must be done. If that’s the case, begin by
washing your gi in warm (or hot, if you need a lot of shrinkage) water
and throwing it in the dryer on the lowest possible setting. Once it’s
done with the lightest dryer cycle, try it on. If it’s still a little
too big, go ahead and let it finish hang drying since it’ll shrink a
little more from that anyway.
In the event that your gi is still way too large after washing it on
warm or hot (perhaps because you ordered the wrong size), put it in the
dryer on a medium or high setting for about 5 minutes at a time until
it’s only a little too big and then hang dry it. You may want to begin
this last process at only 3 or 4 minutes in the dryer, as it’s better to
play it safe and have your gi a little too big than leave it in too
long and not be able to fit in it.
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Smelly BJJ Gis
Keep That Funk Out of the Gym
If
you’re not careful, your gi can fall victim to the painful death of
perma-stink long before it will ever get worn out, but – assuming you’ve
followed this guide up to this point – you’re probably safe from that
unfortunate fate. The biggest defender against having a permanently
smelly gi is giving it time to dry fully both before and after washing
or training in it. Don’t wash a gi before the sweat and other fluids
acquired during training are completely dry, and don’t train in a gi
until it’s had plenty of time to hang dry after being washed.
In the event that fresh air drying isn’t enough to prevent your gi
from getting funky (or if you just want to keep it extra fresh), adding a
splash of white vinegar to your laundry can add an extra level of scent
protection. If you accidentally left a gi in your gym bag or something
equally stench-inducing, soaking a gi in a mixture of water and white
vinegar overnight can often help to freshen up even the smelliest gi.
Allowing a gi to dry in direct sunlight is also said to help battle
against smelliness, but it can also cause discoloration on a darker
color gi and possibly weaken the fabric a bit. Powerful smell-removing
detergents and sprays can obviously help as well.
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Keeping White Gis White
The Fine Art of Preserving White Gis
After
enough time on the mats, you’ll notice that your white gi may start to
turn gray or pick up bits of other color. The easiest way to prevent
this is simply by wearing a black or blue gi, but there are ways to keep
a gi whiter for those who prefer wearing them. Once again, adding a
little white vinegar to your laundry can be an extremely useful and easy
way of keeping your gi true to its color, as is color-guarding or
stain-removing detergent.
For a slightly more drastic approach, adding some hydrogen peroxide
to a load of laundry can make a white gi sparkle like it’s brand new,
and applying it directly to a gi can get rid of blood spots and many
other harsh stains. Although controversial due to the wear and tear they
can put on the materials of a gi, using a little bit of bleach when
washing and/or allowing a gi to dry in direct sunlight can both be
effective ways of keeping a white gi looking cleaner.
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Gi Usage
No Gi Will Last Forever
Like
just about anything else, the ultimate cause of gi aging and
deterioration is repeated use. If you’re training every day, you’ll
probably want at least a few gis to make sure that you’re not putting
too much strain on your first one (and the washing machine). Purchasing
two cheap gis is often a better investment than a single expensive one
to begin your jiu jitsu journey
because it means you’ll be able to rotate them and care for them by
doing things like allowing each to properly dry before and after each
washing or training session.
Eventually, every gi will reach a point where it’s no longer
wearable, but being smart with how you care for them and use them will
keep every gi in your closet around for a lot longer. With a good
rotation and maintenance plan outside of the academy, you won’t have to
worry about your gi when you’re on the mat.
