How To Care For Your BJJ Gi

Let's talk about how to care for your BJJ gi.

If you're a BJJ practitioner, then you know that having a good gi is essential. 

Not only do you need one that fits well and makes you look good on the mat, but you also need to take care of it so it lasts as long as possible.

So, whether you're just starting out in BJJ or you've been practicing for years, make sure to read this post.

Before I talk about how to care for your BJJ gis, I want to share some general information about what most of them are made of so you get to learn about the fabric characteristics.

BJJ gis are often made of a special kind of fabric.

This fabric is strong and can handle a lot of wear and tear.

It's also comfortable so you can move around easily in it.

The fabric is usually a cotton/polyester blend.

The polyester helps to make the fabric more durable and wrinkle-resistant.

Some BJJ gis are made entirely of cotton, but these tend to be less popular because they don't last as long and they can be more difficult to care for.

Now that you know a little bit about the fabric, let's move on to how to care for your BJJ gi.

Having more than one Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi is important.

This is because you need to rotate them so that each one has a chance to air out and dry. 

If you don't do this, then the gi will not last as long as it could.

The rule of thumb is to have at least three gis in rotation.

This way, you can wear one, wash one, and have one that is drying. 

The more you train, the more gis you will need to have.

When I started BJJ, I trained three times a week.

The sessions were two gi classes and one no gi classes.

Back then, having three gis were enough for me.

In the last three years, however, I have had at least 10 gis in rotations because I have been training for almost everyday.

Another important thing you must do to care for your BJJ gi and keep it shining is to wash it regularly.

But how often should you wash it?

Well, that depends on how often you train.

The truth is this: the hardest part of BJJ is not the training but the constant laundering. LOL.

If you train multiple times a week, then you'll need to wash your gi more often than if you're only training once a week.

In general, I strongly suggest washing your gi after every class because you want it to be clean and fresh.

If you don't, it will start to smell bad and no one will want to train with you.

You should also wash your white gis separately from your colored gis.

This is because the dye in the colored gis can cause the white gis to become discolored.

Now that we've covered how often to wash your gi, let's talk about the best way to wash it.

First of all, you'll want to use a mild detergent specifically designed for athletic wear.

You don't want to use anything too harsh or abrasive as this could damage the fabric.

Very important note: DO NOT MIX BLEACH INTO YOUR DETERGENT TO WASH YOUR GI!

I cannot stress this enough because bleach can weaken the fabric and cause it to tear.

For keeping white gis white, you can mix a cup of vinegar into your detergent.

Vinegar is also good to get rid off unpleasant odors coming from dried sweat from your gis.

Hydrogen peroxide is also a great mix for your detergent if you want to maintain the brightness of your white gis longer.

Second, you'll want to wash your gi in cold water if you want it to maintain its size.

Hot water can cause the fabric to shrink and you should only do this if you want to have a more fitted gi.

Third, you should avoid using the dryer if you do not want to significantly shrink your gi.

Hang drying indoor is always best for your gi if you are already satisfied with how it fits.

And finally, always turn your gis inside out before you put them into your washing machine to maintain their colors longer.

Now that you know how to wash your gi, it's time to talk about how to store it.

The best way to store your gi is hanging up.

This will help prevent wrinkles and keep it looking its best.

If you don't have a place to hang up your gi, then you can fold it.

Just make sure to refold it every few days so that it doesn't get too wrinkled.

You should also avoid storing your gi in a bag for too long as this can cause the fabric to become musty.

A good rule of thumb is to only store your gi in a bag for a day or two at most. After that, it's best to hang it up or fold it.

Proper care for your BJJ gi is essential to maintain its quality and extend its lifespan. 

By following the simple tips in this post, you can keep your gi looking and performing great for many years to come. 

Have you tried any of these methods to care for your BJJ gi? Let us know in the comments below. 

And be sure to share this post with your fellow grapplers so they can keep their gear in good shape, too!

Simply enter your details below: