How to Wash and Care for Your BJJ Gi — A Complete Guide
A well-maintained gi lasts years. Here's the complete guide to washing, drying, and caring for your BJJ gi from Kaizen Academy in Venice, CA.
Your BJJ gi is a significant investment and a matter of hygiene for your training partners. This complete care guide from Kaizen Academy in Venice, CA covers washing frequency, temperature settings, shrinkage prevention, odor elimination, repair, and the specific mistakes that shorten gi lifespan.
At Kaizen Academy in Venice, CA, we take gi hygiene seriously — and not just because a clean gym is a comfortable gym. In a close-contact sport like BJJ, personal hygiene is a matter of respect for your training partners. Your gi is the center of that responsibility.
How Often to Wash Your Gi
After every single training session. This is non-negotiable. A gi worn twice without washing creates conditions for bacterial growth and skin infections — including staph, ringworm, and impetigo, all of which are transmissible through mat contact.
Never leave a wet or sweaty gi in your bag overnight. Hang it to air out immediately after training if you can't wash it right away, and wash it within 24 hours.
Washing Temperature
Cold water wash: Minimal shrinkage. Best for gis that have already shrunk to your desired size. Use this setting once your gi fits correctly.
Warm water wash: Some shrinkage. Good for new gis if you bought one size up to account for shrinkage.
Hot water wash: Maximum shrinkage and maximum disinfection. Use occasionally for deep cleaning, not as your regular setting.
General recommendation: Cold or warm wash for regular maintenance. Hot wash once per month for deep cleaning.
Detergent and Odor Elimination
Standard laundry detergent works fine. For persistent odor: add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle (natural deodorizer); or add half a cup of baking soda alongside your detergent. Sports-specific detergents like WIN or HEX also work well on gis.
Drying Your Gi
Air drying is strongly preferred. Hang your gi after washing — jacket and pants separately — in a well-ventilated area or direct sunlight. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and whitener for white gis.
If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and remove while slightly damp. Never dry your gi in a pile or a bag — moisture trapped in fabric folds creates ideal conditions for mold and mildew.
Gi Repair and Lifespan
A well-maintained gi from a quality brand should last 3–5 years of regular training. Signs that your gi needs replacing: collar becoming thin or soft; pants knees wearing through; fabric thinning at stress points.
The One-Minute Post-Training Routine
Remove gi immediately after training; hang to air out if not washing right away; wash within 24 hours on cold water with standard detergent; hang dry; store only when completely dry.
Questions about training at Kaizen Academy? We're at 2014 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. First class is always free.