Every grappler knows the smell: a gi left in a gym bag overnight turns into a science experiment. But washing a BJJ gi isn't as simple as throwing it in with your regular laundry — hot water and high heat can shrink it a full size and fade the color. Here's how to wash your BJJ gi so it stays fresh, keeps its fit, and lasts for years.
Why Gis Need Special Care
A BJJ gi is thick cotton that absorbs sweat, bacteria, and mat grime deep into the fibers. Wash it wrong and you'll deal with three problems: shrinkage (cotton contracts in heat), fading (especially black and blue gis), and lingering odor (bacteria survive lukewarm, half-hearted washes). The routine below handles all three.
The Right Way to Wash a BJJ Gi
- Turn it inside out. This protects embroidery, patches, and prints from abrasion.
- Wash cold (30°C / 85°F or below). Cold water cleans effectively while minimizing shrinkage and color loss.
- Use a mild detergent — and not too much. Excess detergent leaves residue that traps odor. A sports-specific detergent is ideal, but any gentle detergent works.
- Skip fabric softener and bleach. Softener coats the fibers and reduces absorbency; bleach weakens cotton and destroys color.
- Wash your gi alone or with similar colors. Dark gis can bleed in early washes, and zippers or velcro from other clothes chew up gi fabric.
- Wash after every single session. No exceptions. Bacteria multiply fast in a damp gi, and your training partners will thank you.
Drying: Hang Dry Wins
Always hang dry your gi — ideally in open air, out of direct sunlight for dark colors. The dryer is the number one cause of dramatic gi shrinkage. If you must use a dryer (tournament tomorrow, only one gi), use the lowest heat setting and check the fit every 10–15 minutes.
Hang the jacket by the shoulders and the pants by the waistband so they dry in shape. A fan or breezy spot speeds things up without heat damage.
Controlling Shrinkage
Most gis shrink 1–3% in the first few washes, with heavier weaves shrinking more. To minimize shrinkage: cold wash, hang dry, every time. To shrink a gi that's slightly big: wash warm and tumble dry on low, checking between cycles until it fits. Remember the golden rule — you can shrink a gi, but you can't stretch one, so size up when you're between sizes. Our BJJ gi size chart covers standard, husky, long, and fitted cuts to help you pick right the first time.
Killing Odor That Won't Quit
If your gi smells clean out of the wash but funky five minutes into training, bacteria are living in the fibers. Fixes that actually work:
- White vinegar soak: Add a cup of white vinegar to a cold soak for 30–60 minutes before washing. It kills odor-causing bacteria and softens the fabric naturally.
- Baking soda boost: Half a cup in the wash helps neutralize deep-set smells.
- Sports detergent: Formulated to break down the body oils regular detergent leaves behind.
- Don't let it sit. The single biggest odor cause is a wet gi stewing in a bag. Wash it the same day, or at least hang it open to air out until wash day.
Stain Tips
Treat stains fast — dried blood and mat grime set permanently. Rinse with cold water (never hot, which sets protein stains), dab with a little hydrogen peroxide or an oxygen-based stain remover, then wash normally. Avoid the dryer until the stain is gone, since heat locks it in.
Shop BJJ Gis Built to Last
A quality gi handles hundreds of washes when you treat it right. Browse our BJJ gis — premium pearl weave kimonos at $99, with colorfast fabric that holds up wash after wash.
How to Wash a BJJ Gi: FAQ
Can I put my BJJ gi in the dryer?
You can, but you shouldn't make a habit of it. Dryers cause the most shrinkage and wear. Hang dry whenever possible.
How often should I wash my gi?
After every training session. Rolling in a dirty gi spreads skin infections like staph and ringworm.
Why does my gi still smell after washing?
Bacteria and body oils are embedded in the fibers. Try a white vinegar pre-soak and switch to a sports detergent.
Will washing shrink my gi?
A little — expect 1–3%, mostly in early washes. Cold water and hang drying keep shrinkage to a minimum.