How to Wash a BJJ Gi

01 / Brazilianjiujitsugi / Field notes

The routine starts after training.

Take your gi out of your training bag when you get home. Wash it after each training session and allow it to dry fully before wearing it again. A damp bundle in a closed bag is a poor start to the next session.

02 / Brazilianjiujitsugi / Field notes

How to wash your BJJ gi.

Read the care label on the jacket, trousers and belt. Where the label permits, a cold wash and air drying are common starting points for cotton gis; the manufacturer’s directions take priority.

Wash with similar colours, leave enough space in the drum, and use the detergent dose recommended for your machine and load. Check pockets and secure drawstrings as the garment instructions recommend. Do not improvise with bleach or strong cleaning mixtures.

03 / Brazilianjiujitsugi / Field notes

Dry it completely.

After washing, reshape the jacket and trousers and hang them where air can circulate. Check thick areas such as the collar and waistband before packing the gi away.

Use a tumble dryer only if the care label allows it. High heat can change the fit; drying is not a reliable way to tailor an oversized gi.

04 / Brazilianjiujitsugi / Field notes

Will my gi shrink?

Cotton gis can change size after washing, including those described as pre-shrunk. The amount varies by garment. Follow the specified wash and drying method rather than applying a universal shrinkage percentage.

Keep the original care instructions. If the garment changes unexpectedly, contact the seller with the model, size and laundering details.

05 / Brazilianjiujitsugi / Field notes

Remember the belt.

Check and follow the belt’s care instructions too. Give it enough drying time, especially around the thicker stitched sections. Avoid storing a damp belt inside a dry gi.

06 / Brazilianjiujitsugi / Field notes

Ready for the next session.

Store your gi only once it is completely dry. Check seams, drawstrings and worn areas before training, and ask the manufacturer about repairs when needed. For competition, check your event’s condition requirements as well as its fit rules.