Keeping a BJJ gi clean without shrinking or ruining it comes down to a few simple rules: cold water, mild detergent, no bleach, and no hot dryer. Most practitioners wash their gi after every training session to control bacteria, odor, and fabric damage over time.​

How to Wash a BJJ Gi (Step by Step)

1. Pre-wash checks and prep

Before you even touch the washing machine, you want to prep the gi properly.​

• Shake out loose debris (tape, hair, dirt) and turn the gi inside out to protect patches and color.​
• Check for blood or heavy stains and pre-treat with a gentle stain remover or diluted detergent on the affected area.
• Close all Velcro, tie pants drawstrings, and avoid washing your gi with items that have zippers to prevent fraying.

If your gi is new and you’re worried about shrinkage, remember that most cotton gis will tighten slightly in the first few washes, even on cold.​

2. Choosing water temperature and wash settings

Water temperature is the most important factor when deciding how to wash BJJ gi without shrinking it.​

• Use cold water (30°C / 86°F or lower) for almost all gis to minimize shrinking and color fading.​
• Select a gentle or normal cycle; heavy-duty cycles are usually unnecessary and add extra wear to seams and stitching.
• Avoid fabric softener, as it can coat fibers and reduce the gi’s ability to “breathe” and absorb sweat.​

If your gi smells particularly bad after hard training, an extra rinse cycle or adding a bit of white vinegar (½ cup) in the rinse can help neutralize odor without damaging the fabric.​

3. Detergent, bleach, and odor control

The detergent you choose matters almost as much as the settings.​

• Use a mild, liquid detergent without added bleach or strong optical brighteners, especially on colored gis.​
• Never use chlorine bleach on your gi; it weakens fibers, damages stitching, and can cause yellowing over time.​
• If you need whitening for a white gi, small amounts of oxygen-based bleach are safer, but use sparingly and not on every wash.​

For stubborn odor, many grapplers occasionally use a specialized sports detergent designed for technical fabrics and sweat-heavy training gear.​

Drying: The Critical Step Most People Get Wrong

4. Should you put your gi in the dryer?

If you care about gi lifespan and sizing, avoid high heat.​

• Air drying is the safest method: hang the gi on a sturdy hanger or clothesline in a shaded, ventilated area, not in direct sun to prevent fading and stiffness.​
• If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat or “air fluff” setting and remove the gi while it’s still slightly damp, then hang to finish drying.​

High dryer heat is one of the fastest ways to shrink and prematurely age a gi, especially slimmer-cut BJJ gis with pre-shrunk cotton.​

5. Preventing mildew, stiffness, and bad smell

Even if you wash correctly, some habits can ruin your gi.​

• Never leave your gi in a closed gym bag or trunk overnight; bacteria growth and mildew can start within hours.​
• Hang the gi as soon as you get home, even if you plan to wash it later the same evening.
• If the fabric feels stiff after air drying, you can tumble it on no-heat or very low-heat for a few minutes with a clean towel to soften it.​

For more long-term care tips (and how washing interacts with fabric weight and weave), a dedicated guide like how to wash a BJJ gi can help you match care to the specific gi you own.​

How Often Should You Wash Your Gi?

For hygiene and mat etiquette, your gi should be washed after every training session—no exceptions.​

• Grappling sports create heavy sweat contact, skin-to-skin friction, and exposure to bacteria and fungi on both bodies and mats.​
• Regular washing reduces the risk of skin infections like ringworm and staph, which are well-known issues in BJJ and Judo communities.​

Many academies also have hygiene rules that require a clean gi for every class, and some will send students home if they show up in an unwashed uniform.​

Extra Tips: Stains, Color Care, and Lifespan

Handling blood, mat burns, and tough stains

• Treat blood stains as soon as possible with cold water and a bit of detergent; hot water can set the stain.​
• Avoid harsh scrubbing on embroidered patches or printed areas to prevent damage.
• For colored gis, always wash separately or with similar colors to avoid dye bleeding.​

Preserving the life of your gi

Good washing habits directly affect how long your gi lasts.​

• Rotate between at least two gis if you train frequently; this allows each one to fully dry and rest between sessions.​
• Follow manufacturer tags for specific temperature limits, as some blends and pre-shrunk fabrics have tighter tolerances.
• Understanding the differences between BJJ and Judo gis can also inform how aggressively you wash or dry each type.​