Jiu-Jitsu Gi: Handling and Maintenance Advice

xpo266 · 06-19-2007, 03:35 AM

I just bought my first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi. It's a white Gameness Single Weave.

It wasn't too pricey at only $85, but I really want to take care of it so that I can use it extensively in practice.

What are the best ways to go about washing gis? Is dry cleaning recommended? My instructor said that the pants are going to shrink which is good because they are about a half an inch too long. My concern comes if they shrink too much.

I have only wore them once, but when I wash them I think I'm going to do it in cold water and hang dry them.

Any suggestions on how to preserve the life of my gi? It's been suggested that I get a second go to switch during training days? Is that worth the investment?

Thanks for the help.

**Fozzy** · 06-19-2007, 03:50 AM

i wouldn't recommend dry cleaning, was it in a washing machine, cold water, air dry unless you want it to shrink (in which case use a dryer). most gi's come with washing instructions :-) or they are on the website.

yes a 2nd gi is always a good investment, it also helps with days where you know, your gi may have been on the line all day but it might not have dried, or it might have rained, or it may still be slightly damp, a second gi = win/win situation in all accounts.

~Foz

lowCofG · 06-19-2007, 06:50 AM

if the gi jacket fits as you like, then yes, agreed-- cold wash, line dry. And continue to wash it this way. For stains, I typically use Biz on my white gis. Just add it to the washer as it fills w/ water (and use with regular detergent). Tougher stains, I pretreat the affected area w/ Biz. I usually use fabric softener, but have no idea if it's damaging to the gi or not, per se.

I've come to favor the Arm & Hammer line of detergents and additives as well-- seems to defeat funk a little better.

and this is G&E, there's no such thing as too many gis here

vu · 06-19-2007, 08:00 AM

- Warm or hot wash until a size that you like
- From there, only cold wash, regular detergent, no bleach, only Oxyclean (or other peroxide-based bleach if necessary)
- Only air dry if you got the time or have another kimono to rotate; if you're in a time crunch, throw into dryer on MEDIUM NOT HIGH until it's only damp, and then air dry until completely dry

Sax MMA · 06-19-2007, 03:26 PM

i wash mine after each use. I dry my pants as any other pieceof clothing..and hang dry my gi tops.

Kimuralex · 06-19-2007, 11:34 PM

umm i had my gameness single for like 7-8 months and i always dried it and it never shrunk. they are pre-shrunk..

I think theyre pretty durable. if you want a super long lasting then wash in cold and hang up, but i think if you dry it, it will still be fine. mine seeme like it will last a while and i always dry it and wash it in warm.

Soid · 06-20-2007, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimuralex

umm i had my gameness single for like 7-8 months and i always dried it and it never shrunk. they are pre-shrunk..

I think theyre pretty durable. if you want a super long lasting then wash in cold and hang up, but i think if you dry it, it will still be fine. mine seeme like it will last a while and i always dry it and wash it in warm.

Same here and all of my gi's are in tip top shape.

Art Vandelay · 06-20-2007, 02:00 AM

I have the same gi, and I machine wash/dry several times a week.
It's preshrunk, but will stretch during rolling and shrink during machine drying.

Despite being pre-shrunk, the sleeves and pant legs both lost a couple of inches after the first few dryings, but have stabilized.

For the price I paid, I was not about to bother hang drying. I have no complaints.