Table of Contents

How Often to Wash

Washing your BJJ gi after every class can shorten its lifespan. Limit washing to twice per week at most. But immediately wash gis that:

  • Are very sweat saturated
  • Have bad odors
  • Have visible stains
  • Were used for training while you were sick
  • Have accumulated dirt or grime

Wash after every use if you train multiple times daily. For once daily training, every other day is sufficient in most cases.

Cold Water Washing

Always wash BJJ gis in cold water only. Hot water causes cotton fibers to shrink rapidly. Warm or cold water sufficiently cleans a gi while minimizing shrinkage.

Use the coldest setting or “cold wash” cycle. Some washers have a “tap cold” setting that pulls directly from your cold water pipe for even lower temperatures.

Using Gi Detergent

Recommended Gi Detergents

  • Tide Sport
  • Win Detergent
  • Jason Powersmile
  • Defense Soap Laundry Detergent
  • Dettol Laundry Cleanser

Use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent without additives like bleach or fabric softener. Specialty detergents made for athletic wear help get gis clean while protecting the fabric.

Avoiding Fabric Softeners

Avoid using any fabric softener when washing your gi. Softener leaves a coating that:

  • Reduces the gi’s ability to grip properly
  • Inhibits moisture wicking
  • Can degrade antimicrobial properties
  • Promotes buildup of odors and microbes
  • Accelerates wearing out of the fabric
  • Can trigger skin irritation

The cons of fabric softeners outweigh any benefits for gi fabric.

Gentle Wash Cycles

Ideal Wash Cycles for Gis

  • Delicates
  • Permanent Press
  • Casual/Light Soil
  • Handwash/Wool Setting
  • Max Spin Speed 400-600 RPM

Use the most gentle agitation setting to get the gi clean while minimizing stress on the fabric. Low spin speeds help prevent excessive wear.

Avoid regular/heavy duty cycles – the intense agitation can damage the gi fabric over time.

Dryer Settings

Gi Dryer Tips

  • Tumble dry low heat only
  • Max temperature 120°F to 140°F
  • Remove promptly after cycle ends
  • Clean lint filter before drying
  • Dry gi alone
  • Add dryer balls to help separate fabric

To minimize shrinkage, only use low heat tumble dry settings. Don’t leave the gi sitting in the hot dryer after it finishes drying.

Hang Drying Benefits

Pros of Hang Drying

  • Prevents shrinkage
  • Retains gi shape and size
  • Extends lifespan of fabric
  • Energy efficient/cost effective
  • Dries thoroughly if hung properly
  • Easy to do at home or while traveling

Hanging your gi to air dry has many benefits compared to machine drying. It is the best way to prevent shrinkage over time while saving energy.

Hang Dry Methods

Tips for Hang Drying Gis

  • Use a plastic or wood hanger
  • Hang outdoors or indoors
  • Fully extend sleeves, pants, and lapels
  • Rotate jacket and pants occasionally
  • Allow to dry completely before removing

Proper hang drying technique prevents shrinkage and retains the gi’s size and shape. Extend the fabric fully and rotate periodically for even drying.

Flat Drying

Flat Drying Tips

  • Lay gi jacket and pants flat
  • Smooth out any wrinkles
  • Reshape gi if needed while drying
  • Rotate periodically
  • Fold when fully dry

If unable to hang dry, laying your gi flat to air dry also works well. Just be sure to smooth and reshape the fabric as it dries to prevent warping or wrinkling.

Comparing Drying Techniques

BJJ Gi Drying Comparison

MethodShrinkage RiskSpeedConvenience
Tumble Dry Low HeatMediumFastHigh
Hang DryLowModerateMedium
Flat DryLowSlowLow

This table summarizes the tradeoffs between common gi drying methods on shrinkage risk, speed, and convenience. Properly hang drying provides the best blend of shrinkage prevention, reasonable drying time, and convenience for most people.