Table of Contents

Why Cotton Gis Shrink

Cotton fibers shrink when exposed to high heat and agitation. Hot water causes the fibers to tighten and contract. Tumble drying on high heat repeatedly also leads to shrinkage over time. It’s the nature of cotton drill fabric, of which the gi jacket and pants are made. With proper care, shrinkage can be minimized but never fully prevented.

Pre-Shrinking Methods

New Gi Pre-Shrink Techniques

  • Wash with hot water and dry on highest heat setting 3-5 times
  • Soak in hot water for 30 minutes before air drying
  • Use highest heat tumble dry option multiple times

Pre-shrinking exposes the fibers to significant heat/agitation, causing maximal shrinkage before normal use. This reduces later incremental shrinkage from regular washing.

Proper Washing Technique

Shrink-Minimizing Washing Tips

  • Always wash in cold water
  • Use gentle detergent
  • Gentle or delicate wash cycle
  • Wash gis separately
  • Avoid overloading washer
  • Promptly remove after washing

Wash your gi in the coldest water possible with a gentle detergent and cycle. Avoid overcrowding the wash. Transfer promptly from washer to minimize heat exposure.

Ideal Drying Methods

Gi Drying for Minimal Shrinkage

  • Hang dry fully extended
  • Lay flat to air dry
  • Tumble dry low heat
  • Remove promptly from dryer
  • Fold only when fully dry

Hang drying or laying flat are best to prevent shrinkage. Machine drying should only be on the lowest heat setting and removed immediately after finishing.

Using Cool Water

Wash your gi with the coldest water possible. Even lukewarm water can initiate shrinking. Use “Tap Cold” or “Cold Wash” cycles that pull cold water directly from your supply line, bypassing the hot water heater. The chillier the wash, the less shrinkage over time.

Low Heat Drying

Only use the low or delicate heat setting when machine drying your gi. High heat causes fibers to tighten rapidly. Heating elements can exceed 180°F on high – keep it under 140°F. Also remove from the dryer promptly and don’t leave sitting hot.

Hang Drying Steps

Tips for Hang Drying

  • Use plastic or wood hanger
  • Extend sleeves, pants fully
  • Hang in shaded area
  • Rotate jacket and pants
  • Ensure fully dry before removing

Proper hang drying technique prevents shrinkage. Fully extend the fabric, rotate periodically, and hang in a shaded area. Don’t remove until 100% dry.

Lay Flat to Dry

Laying your gi flat to air dry works well too. Smooth out wrinkles and reshape as needed during drying. Rotate – don’t let any one area sit damp too long. Maintain the intended shape and size while drying.

Folding While Damp

Don’t fold your gi until it is completely dry. Any remaining moisture when folded can cause permanent creases or make parts of the fabric tighten unevenly. Give it sufficient time to dry fully in an extended state before any folding.

Buying Gi Slightly Large

Buy your gi a little larger than your measurements to allow for incremental shrinkage over time. An extra .5 to 1 inch in the sleeves, shoulders, and pants can accommodate the gradual reduction in size that occurs no matter how careful you are laundering it. You can always shrink a slightly big gi, but stretching a shrunken gi back to size is impossible.