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How to Wash a BJJ Gi Without Shrinking It
To wash a BJJ gi without shrinking it, use cold water at 30°C or lower and turn it inside out. Use a mild liquid detergent with no bleach or softener, then hang it to dry. Heat is what shrinks a cotton gi, in the wash and in the dryer.
How to wash a gi, step by step
- Wash it after every session. Do not leave it balled up in your bag.
- Turn the jacket and pants inside out to protect patches and reach the sweaty inside.
- Wash cold, 30°C or lower, on a gentle cycle.
- Use a small amount of mild liquid detergent. Powder can stay trapped in a thick weave.
- Skip bleach, which weakens cotton, and fabric softener, which makes the gi hold sweat.
- Hang it on a wide hanger or lay it flat, out of direct sun, and reshape it while damp. It can take 12 to 24 hours to dry.
How much does a gi shrink?
Most shrinking happens in the first few washes, and heat makes it worse. One hot wash can take a gi down by a full size. A pre-shrunk gi has already been through that, so it should hold its size if you wash it cold.
Can you use the dryer?
Most makers say no. If you must, use the lowest heat, take the gi out while it is still a little damp, and hang it to finish.
What about the belt?
Wash your belt too, in a mesh bag on a cold cycle. It collects the same sweat and bacteria as the gi.
How to unshrink a gi
Soak it in lukewarm water with a little hair conditioner, then gently stretch the sleeves and legs while wet and dry it flat. It can win back a little length, but big shrinkage is usually permanent.
How to get the smell out of a gi
Soak it for 30 to 60 minutes in one part white vinegar to four parts cold water, then wash it cold. Dry it fully before you pack it.
Should you buy a gi a size up?
Not if it is pre-shrunk. If it is not, check the maker’s shrinkage guide, because cotton gis can lose length in the sleeves and legs after the first washes.
Gis made to order
QST makes BJJ gis in pearl weave cotton, as well as judo uniforms, karate uniforms and martial arts belts, with your patches and labels. Ask us about pre-shrunk fabric for your order. For how the uniforms differ, see our BJJ, judo, karate and taekwondo uniform guide.
QST International is a martial arts uniform manufacturer in Sialkot, Pakistan. The facility is WRAP certified and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, and it shares its ethical audit data with buyers through Sedex. The minimum order is 30 to 50 pieces per design, and a sample takes 7 to 10 days before bulk production starts. Ask for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash my gi in hot or cold water?
Cold. Hot water shrinks cotton and can take a gi down a size in one wash.
How do I stop my gi from smelling?
Wash it after every class, never leave it wet in a bag, and skip fabric softener. A vinegar soak helps with old smells.
Can I shrink a gi on purpose?
Yes, a warm wash and dryer will shrink it, but it is hard to control. Shrink a little at a time and check the fit.
What does pre-shrunk mean on a gi?
The fabric was shrunk before the gi was cut and sewn, so it should keep its size when washed cold.
How often should I wash my gi?
After every session. A sweaty gi left in a bag grows bacteria that can cause skin infections.
