You just got home from training. Your gi is soaked through with sweat — your’s and your training partner’s. It smells like a wet dog that rolled in a gym locker. You toss it in the hamper and figure you’ll deal with it later.
That right there is how gis die early.
Washing a gi isn’t complicated, but most people get at least one thing wrong…and those mistakes add up fast. Wash it too hot and it shrinks. Let it sit too long and the smell becomes permanent. Throw it in the dryer on high and you’ve just turned your $150 gi into something that fits your kid.
This guide covers everything you need to know about washing, drying, and maintaining your BJJ gi so it lasts for years instead of months. Whether you just bought your first gi or you’ve been training for a decade and can’t figure out why your gis keep falling apart, this is the stuff that actually matters.
Wash Your Gi After Every Single Class
This shouldn’t need to be said, but it does. Wash your gi after every training session. Not every other session. Not “when it starts to smell.” Every. Single. Time.
BJJ is a full-contact sport. You’re sweating on someone, they’re sweating on you, and both of you are grinding into mats that dozens of other people have been sweating on all day. Your gi picks up bacteria, dead skin cells, and whatever else is living on the mat surface.
If you let a wet, dirty gi sit in your gym bag overnight — or worse, for a couple of days — bacteria multiplies fast. That’s how gis develop permanent funk that no amount of washing will fix. It’s also how skin infections like staph and ringworm spread through gyms. Your training partners don’t want to roll with someone whose gi smells like a biohazard, and they shouldn’t have to.
Washing after every class is the single most important thing you can do for your gi’s longevity and your training partners’ health. Everything else in this guide is secondary to this one rule.
The Right Way to Wash a BJJ Gi
Here’s a simple, repeatable process that works for every gi — white, colored, pearl weave, single weave, whatever you’re working with.
Step 1: Don’t Let It Marinate
As soon as you get home, take your gi out of your bag. If you can’t wash it immediately, hang it up to air dry. A wet gi stuffed in a gym bag is a bacteria incubator. A ventilated gi bag helps, but even hanging it over a door or shower rod for a few hours before washing makes a big difference.
Step 2: Pre-Treat Stains
Blood, mat stains, and mystery marks are part of training. The sooner you address them, the better your odds of getting them out. Run cold water over the stain and rub a small amount of detergent directly into it. For stubborn stains, soak the affected area in a mix of cold water and white vinegar for 15–20 minutes before washing.
Don’t use hot water on stains — heat sets them into the fabric.
Step 3: Turn It Inside Out
Flip your gi jacket and pants inside out before loading the washer. This protects the outer surface, patches, and any embroidery from friction during the wash cycle. It also helps the detergent reach the sweatiest parts of the fabric — the collar interior, the armpits, and the waistband.
Step 4: Tie the Drawstring
Tie the drawstring on your gi pants before washing. If it comes loose during the spin cycle, it can get pulled into the waistband channel, and fishing it back through is one of the most annoying experiences in all of jiu-jitsu. Tie the ends together in a simple knot and save yourself the headache.
Step 5: Wash in Cold Water on a Gentle Cycle
Cold water. Every time. This is non-negotiable if you want to prevent shrinkage.
Gis are made primarily of cotton, and cotton shrinks when exposed to heat. Cold water cleans your gi just as effectively as warm water for normal post-training washing, and it preserves the fit and integrity of the fabric.
Use a gentle or normal cycle. Heavy-duty cycles are unnecessary for a gi that’s being washed after a single training session, and the extra agitation puts more wear on the fabric and stitching over time.
Step 6: Use the Right Detergent
Regular laundry detergent works fine for most gi washes. You don’t need anything special. A standard liquid detergent like Tide or whatever you normally use will get the job done.
A few things to avoid:
Bleach — Never use bleach on a gi, even a white one. Bleach breaks down cotton fibers, weakens stitching, and will shorten your gi’s lifespan significantly. It might look cleaner in the short term, but you’re actively destroying the fabric.
Fabric softener — Skip it. Fabric softener coats fibers with a thin chemical layer that can trap bacteria and odors over time. It can also reduce the absorbency of the cotton, which makes the gi feel slick and weird. Over time it breaks down the fibers the same way bleach does — just slower.
Too much detergent — More soap doesn’t mean cleaner. Excess detergent leaves residue in the fabric that can trap odors and irritate skin. Follow the recommended amount on the bottle, or use slightly less.
If you want something specifically designed for athletic gear, sports detergents like Tide Sport or Rockin’ Green Active Wear are solid options. They’re formulated to break down sweat and bacteria without harsh chemicals. But again — regular detergent is perfectly fine for routine washes.
Step 7: Don’t Let It Sit in the Washer
When the cycle finishes, take your gi out promptly. Leaving a wet gi sitting in the washer for hours creates a mildew environment and can give it a musty smell that’s hard to shake. If you forget and it sits for more than a couple hours, run the cycle again.
How to Dry Your BJJ Gi
This is where most people mess up. How you dry your gi matters just as much as how you wash it.
Hang Dry — Always
Hang drying is the safest method for preserving your gi’s fit and fabric. Drape the jacket over a hanger or drying rack, and hang the pants by the waistband. Make sure there’s good airflow around the gi — a fan or open window helps speed things up.
A gi can take anywhere from 6 to 24 hours to fully air dry depending on humidity, airflow, and the weight of the fabric. Heavier weaves take longer. Plan accordingly — this is another reason owning at least two gis makes life easier.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Hanging your gi outside might seem like a good idea, but prolonged direct sunlight fades colored gis and can dry out the fibers over time. If you need to dry it outdoors, hang it in the shade. Indoor drying is generally the safest option.
What About the Dryer?
The dryer is the number one killer of gi fit. The heat causes cotton to shrink, and once a gi shrinks, there’s no going back.
If you absolutely must use a dryer — maybe you need the gi for class in a few hours and it’s still wet — use the lowest heat setting or a no-heat tumble dry cycle. Check it every 5–10 minutes and take it out while it’s still slightly damp, then hang it to finish drying. Never run a full dryer cycle on high heat unless you’re intentionally trying to shrink the gi (more on that below).
Never Iron Your Gi
Ironing a gi is unnecessary and risky. The heat can damage the fabric and any patches or embroidery on the surface. If you’re worried about wrinkles, hang the gi on a wide hanger after washing — gravity does the work for you.
How to Deal With Gi Funk (Permanent Odor)
If your gi has developed a smell that regular washing can’t eliminate, bacteria has embedded itself in the fibers. This usually happens from repeatedly letting the gi sit wet after training, or from not washing it thoroughly enough over time.
Here’s how to fix it:
The Vinegar Soak
White vinegar is the most reliable odor eliminator for gis. Fill a bathtub or large bucket with cold water and add 1–2 cups of white distilled vinegar. Submerge the gi completely and let it soak for 2–4 hours, or overnight for severe cases. Then wash it normally in the machine with detergent.
The vinegar kills odor-causing bacteria without damaging the fabric. Your gi won’t smell like vinegar after the machine wash — the detergent takes care of that.
The Baking Soda Boost
For extra stubborn odors, add half a cup of baking soda to your regular wash cycle along with your detergent. Baking soda neutralizes acids that cause lingering smells and gives the detergent a boost. You can combine this with the vinegar soak for a one-two punch on serious funk — just don’t mix vinegar and baking soda in the same step (they neutralize each other).
The Freezer Trick
Some people swear by putting their gi in a plastic bag and leaving it in the freezer overnight. The theory is that the cold kills odor-causing bacteria. Results are mixed — it might reduce the smell temporarily, but it doesn’t kill all bacteria, and it won’t fix a gi that’s already deeply funked. The vinegar soak is more reliable.
When It’s Too Late
If you’ve tried everything and the gi still smells after washing, it’s time to retire it. A permanently funky gi is a sign that bacteria has bonded with the fabric at a level that can’t be reversed. It happens. It’s annoying. But it’s better to replace the gi than be the person at the gym everyone avoids rolling with.
How to Shrink a Gi (On Purpose)
Sometimes you end up with a gi that’s slightly too big. Maybe you’re between sizes, or it ran larger than expected. You can shrink it down, but do it carefully — it’s easier to over-shrink a gi than you think.
Step 1: Wash the gi in warm water (not hot) on a normal cycle. Try it on after it dries. Many gis will shrink enough from this alone, especially if they haven’t been pre-shrunk by the manufacturer.
Step 2: If it’s still too big, try a short dryer cycle on low heat — 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Take it out, try it on, and repeat if needed. Go slow. You can always shrink it more, but you can’t un-shrink it.
Step 3: For significant shrinkage, use warm water and a medium dryer setting. But be warned — pants shrink faster than jackets, so you may end up with high-water pants and a jacket that still fits loose. If you need different amounts of shrinkage for the top and bottom, wash and dry them separately.
Important: Once a gi has been shrunk, it won’t stretch back to its original size. Err on the side of too big rather than too small.
White Gi vs. Colored Gi: Washing Differences
The washing process is the same regardless of color, with a few extra precautions for colored gis.
White Gis
White gis are more forgiving with minor staining because you can use oxygen-based brighteners (like OxiClean) without worrying about color damage. Add a scoop to your wash cycle periodically to keep whites bright. Do not use chlorine bleach — it weakens the fabric even though it whitens.
Yellow staining around the collar and armpits is common on white gis. A paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide applied directly to the stain before washing can help. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then wash as normal.
Colored Gis
Colored gis — especially blue and black — will fade over time regardless of what you do. That’s just the nature of dyed cotton getting washed multiple times a week. You can slow the fading by:
- Always washing in cold water
- Turning the gi inside out before washing
- Using a color-safe detergent
- Avoiding the dryer entirely
For the first wash of a brand new colored gi, wash it alone in cold water with a cup of white vinegar. The vinegar helps set the dye and reduces initial color bleeding. Don’t wash a new colored gi with your white gis unless you want a surprise new color.
Washing Your BJJ Belt
Yes, wash your belt. The myth that you shouldn’t wash your belt because it “washes away your knowledge” or “disrespects the art” is exactly that — a myth. Your belt absorbs the same sweat and bacteria as your gi. It touches the same mats. It needs to be washed.
Wash your belt with your gi using the same cold water, gentle cycle process. Hang dry it. That’s it. Your technique will survive the spin cycle.
Caring for No-Gi Gear
Rashguards, spats, and fight shorts need similar care to gis, with a few adjustments for the different materials:
- Wash after every session — same rule as gis
- Cold water, gentle cycle — Lycra and polyester blends are more sensitive to heat than cotton
- Turn inside out — protects sublimated designs from fading and peeling
- Hang dry only — dryer heat warps elastic fibers in compression gear, ruining the fit
- Secure velcro — if your fight shorts have velcro closures, press them shut before washing so they don’t snag on other items
Rashguards tend to develop odor faster than gis because synthetic materials trap bacteria differently than cotton. The vinegar soak works just as well on no-gi gear as it does on gis.
How Many Gis Do You Need?
The practical answer depends on how often you train:
Training 2–3 times per week: Two gis is the minimum. This gives you a clean gi ready to go even if one is still drying.
Training 4–5 times per week: Three gis is ideal. It keeps you in rotation without having to do laundry every single day.
Training 6+ times per week: Three to four gis. At this point, you’re doing a lot of laundry no matter what, but having enough gis in rotation means each individual gi gets more rest between uses, which extends its lifespan.
Owning one gi and training regularly is a recipe for problems. You’ll either end up training in a still-damp gi (uncomfortable and breeds bacteria) or skipping classes because your gi isn’t clean. A second gi is one of the best investments you can make early on — check out our best budget BJJ gi picks if you need an affordable rotation option.
Common Gi Washing Mistakes
Leaving it in the gym bag — Even a few hours in a sealed bag accelerates bacterial growth. Take it out immediately.
Using hot water — Hot water shrinks cotton. Cold water cleans just as well for routine washes.
Bleaching white gis — Bleach weakens fibers. Use oxygen-based brighteners instead.
Overloading the washer — A gi is bulky, especially when wet. Washing more than one or two gis at a time leads to uneven cleaning and extra wear from friction.
Using fabric softener — Coats fibers, traps bacteria, and reduces fabric performance.
Drying on high heat — The fastest way to shrink a gi. Hang dry whenever possible.
Not washing the belt — It’s just as dirty as the gi. Wash it.
Putting patches on before the first wash — New gis often shrink slightly after the first wash. Wait until after that first wash to add patches so they don’t pucker or distort.
Quick Reference: Gi Washing Cheat Sheet
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| After training | Remove gi from bag immediately, hang to air if not washing right away |
| Pre-treat | Cold water + detergent on stains, vinegar soak for tough spots |
| Prep | Turn inside out, tie drawstring |
| Wash | Cold water, gentle cycle, regular detergent |
| Avoid | Bleach, fabric softener, hot water, overloading |
| Dry | Hang dry in shade or indoors with airflow |
| Emergency dry | Dryer on no-heat or lowest setting, check every 5–10 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash my gi with other clothes?
You can, but it’s not ideal. Gi fabric is heavy and can damage lighter items. If you do mix loads, only wash with similar colors and avoid delicates. Washing the gi alone or with other gis is preferred.
How do I get blood out of a gi?
Cold water immediately. Never use hot water on blood — heat sets it permanently. Rinse under cold running water, then apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. Let it fizz for a minute, then blot with a clean cloth. Repeat if needed, then wash normally.
My gi fits perfectly but the pants are a little long. Can I shrink just the pants?
Yes — wash the pants separately in warm water and give them a short dryer cycle on low heat while hang drying the jacket. Check the fit every 5 minutes. Pants shrink faster than jackets, so this approach works well for dialing in the fit.
Is it okay to wash a brand new gi before wearing it?
Absolutely, and you should. New gis often have residual dyes and sizing chemicals from manufacturing. A cold water wash before your first class gets those out, reduces initial color bleeding, and lets you see how much the gi shrinks naturally before you start training in it.
Why does my gi smell fine after washing but stink as soon as I start sweating in it?
Bacteria is still trapped in the fibers. Regular detergent is removing surface-level dirt but not the embedded bacteria. Do a vinegar soak, add baking soda to your next few washes, and make sure you’re not using fabric softener (which traps bacteria). If the problem persists, the gi may have reached the point of no return.
Can I use a laundromat for my gi?
Yes, but bring your own detergent and make sure to use cold water and a gentle cycle. Avoid the commercial dryers — they run extremely hot and will shrink your gi fast. If you have to use the dryer, set it to the lowest heat and check frequently.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I have personal experience with or have thoroughly researched. Thank you for supporting BJJ Gear Guide.
Questions about any of the information here? Email me at jameson@bjjgearguide.com – I’m happy to help you figure out what’s right for your situation.
Last Updated: March 2026