Guide on How to clean your Martial Arts Gi: Cleaning, Storing, and Maintaining
How to keep your Gi Clean!
I have noticed that many people have discussed the issue of their Gi developing a distinct odor after some time, which can result from neglect or heavy use.
Similar to any material used for a specific purpose, it can gradually accumulate greases and odors from its surroundings. To ensure that our gis remain fresh and durable, I have compiled a set of tips and tools.
Why you need to keep your Gi clean.
Keeping your gi clean not only extends its lifespan, but also helps prevent the spread of harmful bacteria in the gym. Many cases of rashes and other conditions can be attributed to unclean habits in the gym environment.
As an athlete and martial artist, it is our responsibility to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
Do you have enough clean Gi’s for every time you train per week?
If your training 3 or more days out of the week as per usual for the average person, in my personal experience it has always been good to keep 2-3 training Gi’s and then a competition Gi on the side. Over time my wardrobe has expanded, and now I have a Gi for everyday I decide to train.
Why would you buy more than one? Because the Gi might as well be a big towel that absorbs sweat and bodily fluids, and while your training brawny ain’t got nothing on these.
Try rotating which Gi you use every class, allowing the most recently used to air out!
Make sure you are using the right tools!
Make sure you always have tools for cleaning on hand, that means detergents stain removers and drying rack or line ready!
Downy offers a great variety of scent boosters called “unstoppable’s“. These awesome beads you can add to any load, and remove most smells. However, If you want to go a more organic route, plain white vinegar has been a highly suggested way to remove smells.
Pre soaking your Gi in Cold Water with 1-2 cups of vinegar, should be enough to remove the odor.
- Fill Either a Tub, Sink, or your Washer with cold Water
- Pour in 1-2 Cups of Vinegar to the water
- Place dirty Gi in the Cold water
- Let sit for 30 minutes
- Procede to wash the Gi as you would regularly
You can get a sports or mechanics detergent which have stronger degreasing agents in them for getting tough oils from stains or sweat. While these can be a bit more costly, it’s worth it as many of our Gi’s are too expensive as is to replace.
If you plan on keeping the material soft and comfortable your going to want a fabric conditioner or softener. Again, I like to use the downy “wrinkle guard” which has worked well for me. To date I dont think ive ever needed to toss, mend, or retire a Gi YET.
Lastly, always have a stain remover on hand. Oxyclean Maxforce or Shout Triple Action have both come in handy saving my limited edition Gi’s from unforeseen blender bottle accidents!
How to Dry Your GI once its clean and fresh?
When it comes to Drying the Gi after cleaning, its important to remember not to run it through an artificial heat source. meaning you dont want to run it through the drier, unless your using the air dry setting. This step here is the most crucial when Cleaning your Gi, and where most people ruin their expensive piece of training equipment.
Running your Gi through the Drier can cause shrinkage and Material to degrade. It is recommended that you either use an out door line, or check your drier for an air dry setting.
You can also hang your stuff up inside, but we would suggest setting up a fan or opening a window for optimal air flow.
Storing your clean GI
Two popular methods for storing a Gi are hanging them up or folding them to be put away.
If you have the closet space hang them up as this will allow them to air out the most, and help them to keep their pristine look.
If you do not have the the closet space you can fold them, putting them in a drawer, prepped gym bag, or on a rack.
Don’t forget, These important thing when Cleaning Your Gi!
- Always wash your belt
- Wash you Gi after every training session
- Sweat and stains can be hard to get out, get extra strength detergent
- Air dry your gi so it doesn’t shrink
- Wrinkle releasers, fabric softeners, & scent boosters will help maintain quality
- Stain removers are your best friend
- Keep more than one Gi
- Rotating gi’s helps maintain quality longer
- Store them properly
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