A BJJ gi goes through a lot during training. It is pulled, gripped, rubbed against the mat, soaked with sweat, and washed again and again. Because of this, the way you wash and care for your gi can affect its colour, fabric feel, shrinkage, and overall lifespan.
Wash It Soon After Training
After training, try not to leave your gi inside your bag for too long.
Sweat and moisture can create odour and may also affect the fabric over time. If you cannot wash it straight away, at least take it out of your bag and let it air out.
This is especially important for thicker cotton BJJ gis, as the fabric holds more moisture than lighter training clothes.
Use Cold Water
Cold water is usually the safest choice for washing a BJJ gi.
Hot water may increase shrinkage and can also affect the fabric feel and colour stability, especially on darker gis such as black, navy, or deep blue.
Even if a gi has been pre-shrunk during production, it does not mean it will never shrink again. Pre-shrinking helps reduce major size changes, but washing temperature and drying method still matter.
We also talked about this in more detail in our blog on why pre-shrinking matters in a BJJ gi.
Use a Mild Detergent
A mild detergent is usually enough for regular washing.
Avoid strong bleach or harsh chemical cleaners unless the care label clearly allows it. Harsh chemicals may affect the cotton fibres, stitching, and colour.
For white gis, stain treatment may sometimes be needed, but it is still important to avoid using overly strong cleaning methods too often. Over time, this may make the fabric feel rougher and shorten the life of the gi.
Take Extra Care With Dark-Coloured Gis
Colour change on darker BJJ gis is not only related to the dyeing process. It is also affected by friction, sweat, washing temperature, detergent, and sunlight.
To help keep the colour more stable, you can:
Wash in cold water
Wash inside out when possible
Avoid long soaking
Avoid strong detergents
Avoid long exposure to strong direct sunlight
These small habits can help darker gis maintain their colour better over time.
We also explain more about colour and dyeing methods in our blog on the BJJ gi dyeing process.
Air Dry When Possible
Air drying is usually the safest way to dry your gi.
High heat from a dryer may cause extra shrinkage and can also affect the shape of the jacket and pants. If your gi already fits close to your ideal size, it is better to avoid high heat drying.
Hang the gi in a well-ventilated area and allow it to dry naturally.
If the weather is humid, make sure there is enough airflow. Leaving a damp gi in a closed or poorly ventilated space for too long can create odour and slow down the drying process.
Avoid Long Exposure to Strong Sunlight
Sunlight can help dry clothing, but strong direct sunlight for long periods may cause colours to fade faster, especially on black, blue, navy, or custom-dyed gis.
When possible, a shaded and well-ventilated area is usually a better option.
Dealing With Odour
Odour usually comes from sweat, bacteria, and moisture trapped in the fabric.
The simplest way to reduce odour is to wash the gi soon after training and make sure it dries completely.
Some people add a small amount of white vinegar during washing to help with smell, but it should not be seen as a way to prevent shrinkage. Shrinkage is mainly affected by the fabric, pre-shrinking process, washing temperature, and drying method.
Check for Wear and Tear
A BJJ gi is made for heavy training, but it is still a fabric product.
After long-term use, wear may appear around the collar, sleeve cuffs, pants knees, waistband, and other high-friction areas.
Checking these areas regularly can help you notice small issues early before they become bigger problems.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your BJJ gi is not complicated.
Wash it after training, use cold water, avoid harsh cleaners, air dry when possible, and be careful with high heat and strong sunlight.
The way a gi is made matters, but how it is washed and cared for also affects its fit, colour, fabric feel, and lifespan.
At BLITZFIGHT, we pay attention to the details behind BJJ gi production, including fabric selection, dyeing, pre-shrinking, sizing, and finishing.
If you want to learn more about what affects the long-term performance of a BJJ gi, you can also read our articles on pre-shrinking, dyeing process, fabric selection, and custom BJJ gi production.