As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, your gi is your uniform. When it comes to maintaining that gi, it is important to wash it after every use. Even if you only had a light roll, you need to wash your gi every time you use it.
It is important to understand why you need to wash your gi regularly and other gi maintenance tips, so let’s dive into why.
Your gi is your uniform as a BJJ practitioner. It is made of woven cotton and consists of a jacket, pants, and a belt. You use it to represent yourself and your school, which is why it is critical to take proper care of it.
Part of taking care of your gi is making sure you wash it after every use. The sooner you wash it after practice, the better. The main reason for this is that your gi is covered in sweat and bacteria from your skin. If you don’t wash it, that bacteria can spread and infect your gi. This infestation can cause infections and even spread disease.
One of the most common diseases that can be spread is Staphylococcus Aureus, also known as a Staph infection. Staph lives on your skin and can spread onto your gi and the mats through sweat. The bacteria can live for a while and will try to get into your body through cuts or direct contact. A person infected with Staph will get blisters or crusty skin that is sensitive to the touch. These are highly infectious, and you can quickly spread your infection to others if you’re not careful.
In addition to the already mentioned blisters and crusts, Staph’s other symptoms include red and itchy skin, boils or clusters of boils, painful eyelids or eyes. While Staph isn’t usually life-threatening, it can develop into a severe infection. Plus, due to it being incredibly contagious, you would have to sit out practice for a while if you test positive. With all the danger you face, it is probably worth just making sure your gi is clean.
How to take care of your GI
The gi is one of the oldest forms of martial arts uniform. It was created by Dr. Jigoro Kano to be a sturdier replacement than the Samurai kimono. The uniform is made up of an overcoat, a pair of string cloth pants, and a belt. The belt is used to inform rank. In BJJ, there are five belt levels, white, blue, purple, brown, and then black. The BJJ gi has been modified over the years to be a tighter fit and is more focused on the ground grappling of the sport as opposed to Judo throws.
Most gi’s are made with dense cotton fiber. This means that they are sensitive to certain cleaning products, like bleach. It also means that they can shrink when washed with hot water. It’s important to make sure that your gi is washed in cold water. Otherwise, you might end up with a child-size gi. If you are machine washing your gi, try to make sure it is the only piece of clothing in the wash. Gi’s are usually a thick piece of clothing and could damage your washing machine by overloading it.
Another reason is the risk of color spill messing with your gi. You don’t want your beautiful off-white gi to become some pink monstrosity. This may sound silly, but it’s crucial when remembering that the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) has regulations about appropriate gi colors. Those colors are royal blue, white, and black. Your gi must be consistent throughout as well.
Now you may be questioning how viable it is to wash your gi every time you train. Surely your gi would take unnecessary wear from the washing? That’s a fair point, and there are some ways to address that issue.
The first is the most obvious, have spare gi’s. Having two or three gi’s that you can switch between would reduce the amount of wear on each. However, gi’s are expensive, and it might not be possible for you to afford more than one. Another possible answer is investigating whether or not your school has no-gi classes. If you’re able to train half the time without a gi, then you’re already limiting half of the wear on your gi.
Another thing you can do is hand wash your gi. If you are washing it by hand, you severely limit the amount of stress put on the gi over machine washing. While handwashing is a luxury few have the time to afford, it may be worth it to wash your belt by hand. It’s quite possible to lose or damage stripes in a machine wash, so handwashing prevents that from happening.
Be a good representative of your school
By wearing your gi, you are representing your BJJ school. If you don’t wear your gi correctly or don’t take care of it, you tell the world that your school isn’t worth respect. The same goes for your training partners. You cannot say you respect your training partners if you’re showing up with a filthy, stinky gi.
The same can be said for your opponents. No one wants to roll with the stinky guy who never cleans their gi. Your gym will also not appreciate having all of their efforts to maintain a hygienic space undermined because you’re too lazy to wash your gi after practice.
All in all, it’s simply not worth the risks connected to not washing gi. So make sure you are washing your gi after every practice.
Tips on how to wash you gi
As said before, using bleach to wash your gi is a bad idea. This is because bleach can damage the fabric and cause it to wear out faster. Therefore it’s a much better idea to use softer chemicals to ensure your gi’s longevity. A couple of bleach alternatives can be found right at home.
- Baking Soda
Baking Soda is a great way to clean your clothes. You can add about half-a-cup to a load, and it will do wonders. Baking Soda is great because it is cheap, available and is easy on your clothes and washing machine. It also has no scent, which is a plus for anyone you roll with. If your gi is in real bad shape, feel free to soak it in some baking soda for an hour or two before you wash it.
- Vinegar
Using about a cup of vinegar in the wash can get rid of all the bacteria on your gi. It also works as a softener, so your gi will come feeling a lot better. Just make sure you have no baking soda in your washer, or you might accidentally make a volcano. The only problem with using vinegar is there may be a hint of the smell on your gi, but it’s worth it. Just make sure you are using white vinegar, as other forms may stain your gi.
- Vodka
While it may sound strange, it is worth remembering that alcohol is a disinfectant. While it may not be worth the price, if you’re in a pinch, a few shots of vodka in the wash won’t hurt. It’s not going to be able to lift any stains, and people you roll with might think you have a problem, but if you have nothing else, vodka can help you keep your gi clean.
Another thing you can do to preserve your gi is to make sure you hang it to dry. While this may cause the gi to feel stiff when you put it on, it’s just a better way to maintain the fabric.
Cleanliness is now more critical than ever.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that you take proper hygiene measures. Failing to do so could shut your entire gym down. While COVID is not a bacteria, it is able to live on surfaces for long periods. One such surface is the fabric of your gi. COVID really likes material. It seems, and trace amounts can be found on cotton for up to seven days after exposure. That means it’s vital, for the sake of your health and the health of those you train with, to wash your gi after every use.
As a practitioner of the gentle art, keeping your gi clean should be a matter of pride. If you are proud to be a member of your school, proud to represent your teachers in tournaments, then you should wear your uniform with pride.
It’s a good idea to remember that your gi is an expensive investment in yourself and you should make sure to treat it that way. Make sure to hang it up. Swap gi’s after each practice. You probably paid a lot of money for your gi, and it likely has sentimental value, so do yourself a favor and take care of it. Wash your gi after every practice. Keep yourself clean, your gym clean, and everyone safe.