How to Wash Your BJJ Gi Without Shrinking It

How to Wash Your BJJ Gi Without Shrinking It

Your BJJ gi is one of your most important pieces of training gear, and one of the easiest to ruin in the laundry. Shrinking, fading, and fabric breakdown are all common, and almost always avoidable. This guide covers exactly how to wash your kimono so it lasts for years of training.

Why Gi Care Matters

A well-maintained gi performs better on the mat and lasts significantly longer. The weave, whether pearl weave, gold weave, or single weave can tighten and distort with heat, and coloured gis can fade quickly with the wrong detergent. For Gracie Barra members, keeping your uniform in good condition is also a matter of representing your aschool with pride.

Step 1: Wash Cold, Every Time

The single most important rule: always wash your gi in cold water.

Hot water is the number one cause of gi shrinkage. Even a single hot wash can permanently shrink a gi by one full size. Set your machine to cold for every wash, no exceptions.

Step 2: Use the Right Detergent

Standard laundry detergents can be harsh on gi fabric and cause colours to fade. Instead:

• Use a sports-specific or gentle detergent (look for enzyme-free formulas for coloured gis)
• Avoid fabric softeners, they coat the fibres and reduce the grip and feel of the weave over time
• A small amount of white vinegar (half a cup in the rinse cycle) neutralises odours naturally and keeps the fabric fresh without chemicals

Step 3: Turn It Inside Out

Before putting your gi in the machine, turn both the jacket and pants inside out. This protects the outer weave from friction damage and reduces fading on coloured gis significantly.

Step 4: Wash Separately or with Similar Colours

Wash your white gi separately, especially when it's new. Gi fabric can bleed during early washes. Blue and black gis should also be washed together or with dark clothes only.

Avoid washing your gi with items that have zippers, hooks, or velcro, which can snag and damage the weave.

Step 5: Skip the Dryer (When You Can)

The tumble dryer is the second biggest risk after hot water. Heat causes shrinkage and breaks down the cotton weave faster over time.

Best practice: hang your gi to air dry as soon as the wash finishes. Lay the jacket flat or hang it on a wide hanger to keep the shoulders from distorting. Avoid drying in direct sunlight for extended periods, which can yellow white gis and fade coloured ones.

If you need to use a dryer, for example, after a competition, use the lowest heat setting or air-only mode, and remove it while still slightly damp.

Step 6: Don't Leave It Wet

Leaving a damp gi in your bag or scrunched up after training is one of the fastest ways to grow mildew and set in permanent odours. Rinse or wash your gi as soon as possible after training, or at minimum hang it to air out until you can wash it properly.

How Often Should You Wash Your Gi?

After every training session — no exceptions! A gi worn twice without washing is a hygiene risk to you and your training partners. Most dedicated BJJ practitioners have 2–3 gis in rotation so one is always clean and ready.

Quick Reference: Gi Washing Cheat Sheet

Keep Your Gi in Competition Shape

Proper care starts with a quality gi built to handle regular washing. The Gracie Barra kimono range is made from durable pearl weave cotton, pre-shrunk and cut for Australian fit. Pair it with the GB Rashguard worn underneath to reduce sweat absorption in the jacket.

For help finding the right size before you buy, see our Kimono Fit Guide.