How to Wash a BJJ Gi Properly

A gi soaks up sweat for a living, then gets stuffed in a bag. Wash it badly and it goes grey, stiff and smells like a wet dog; wash it well and it stays fresh and lasts for years. Six years and a lot of gis later, this is the simple, repeatable routine I've landed on — and it protects both the fabric and the people you train with. It's general guidance, not medical advice, and it's not about any product we sell.

Wash it after every session

This is the non-negotiable one. A gi worn for a hard roll is damp with sweat and has been in contact with the mat and other people for an hour or more. Letting it dry out and re-wearing it is how kit starts to smell and how a bag turns into a problem. The rule is dead simple: one session, one wash. "It doesn't smell that bad" is not the standard you're aiming for.

The washing routine

1. Don't let it fester. Get it out of your bag as soon as you're home. A damp gi balled up in a holdall for a day is the worst-case scenario — see gym bag hygiene.
2. Wash cold to warm, not hot. Cold to 30°C protects the cotton fibres and stops most gis from shrinking. Hot washes are the usual culprit behind a gi that suddenly fits like a crop top.
3. Use a normal detergent, and not too much. Overdosing detergent leaves residue that actually traps odour rather than removing it. A normal dose does the job. Skip fabric softener — it coats the fibres and can lock smells in over time.
4. Turn coloured gis inside out to protect the colour and any patches, and fasten or remove the belt (yes, belts get washed too, mythology aside).
5. Air dry. Hang it as soon as the wash finishes — don't leave it sitting wet in the drum. Line drying is kindest to the fabric. If you must tumble, use low heat, but air drying wins for both longevity and shrink control.
6. Dry it completely before it goes away. Putting a not-quite-dry gi back in a bag or drawer is asking for that musty smell.

Tackling a gi that already smells

If a gi has gone properly funky, a pre-soak in cold water with a scoop of detergent for an hour before a normal wash usually shifts it. A cup of white vinegar in the wash can help cut residue and neutralise odour. Resist the temptation to just pile on more detergent — that's often what caused the build-up in the first place. The same principles apply to your rashguards, where synthetic fabric makes the problem even more stubborn.

Keeping it white (or keeping the colour)

White gis grey over time mainly from detergent residue, body oils and being dried in a heap. Washing promptly, using the right detergent dose and drying properly does more for whiteness than any aggressive treatment. Go easy on bleach — it can weaken cotton fibres and yellow them over time. For coloured gis, cold washes inside out are your friend for keeping the dye looking sharp and the patches intact.

Make your kit last

Two gis on rotation means you're never tempted to re-wear a damp one, and each gets a proper chance to dry between sessions. The formula is boring and reliable: wash promptly, dry fully, store dry. Do that and a decent gi will give you years rather than months. The same logic covers your rashguards and spats — there's a dedicated routine in rashguard hygiene.

Common questions

Can I tumble dry my gi?

You can on low heat in a pinch, but air drying is much kinder and avoids the shrinkage high heat causes. If you rely on a tumble dryer, keep the heat low and take the gi out while it's just dry rather than baking it.

Should I really wash my belt?

Yes. The "never wash your belt" thing is folklore, not hygiene — your belt drags through the same sweat and mat grime as the rest of your kit. Wash it; your rank is safe.

How do I stop my gi shrinking?

Cold-to-warm washes and air drying are the two big levers. Heat is what shrinks cotton, so it's hot washes and hot tumble dryers that turn a perfectly good gi into a kids' size.

Why does my gi still smell after washing?

Usually detergent residue, or a gi that sat damp before or after the wash. Try a vinegar rinse, a normal (not heaped) detergent dose, and getting it out of the machine and onto a hanger straight away.

Can I speed-dry a gi for the next session?

If you're caught short, a low tumble, or a fan in a well-ventilated room, will get it wearable — but don't bank on it as routine. Repeatedly racing a single gi between sessions is how it ends up perpetually damp, smelly and worn out early. The real fix is owning a second gi so one can always dry properly while you train in the other.

This article is general educational information and not medical advice. It is not about any Combat Sports Hygiene product. If you have a skin concern, contact a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist.