Properly washing your gi is one of the most important skills in BJJ, even though it never happens on the mats. A clean gi isn't just about avoiding the "stinky gi student" label. It keeps you and your teammates free of the harmful bacteria that linger on sweat soaked fabric, including the stuff that causes ringworm and staph.
Your washing machine has a second job too: if your new gi is too big, the right combination of heat can shrink it to a perfect fit. This guide covers both, including how to avoid shrinking a gi that already fits.
How to Wash Your Gi
Turn your gi inside out
This reduces colour washout on blue, black, and coloured gis, and protects your patches. The gi still gets just as clean and looks newer for longer.
Wash in cold water
Cold water cleans perfectly well, especially with a detergent designed for cold washes, and it stops the gi shrinking. Use colour safe detergent for anything that isn't white.
Add a laundry sterilizer
Ringworm, staph, and plenty of other nasties spread through BJJ. A laundry sterilizer (sold next to the detergent at any supermarket) makes sure your gi is genuinely clean, not just fresh smelling.
Hang dry, out of direct sun
A hot dryer will shrink your gi. If you like the fit, hang it to dry indoors, or outside away from direct sunlight, which fades the fabric and weakens it over time.
Fighting serious gi funk?
OdoBan is the odor eliminator we recommend for gear that's absorbed years of training.
How to Shrink a Gi
The rule is simple: more heat means more shrinkage. Think of it like a haircut. Take a little off at a time, because you can't undo it.
| How much smaller? | Wash | Dry | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Way too big | Hot water | Hot dryer | Maximum shrinkage. Only for gis dramatically larger than you need. |
| Slightly too big | Hot water | Air dry indoors | Moderate shrinkage without the dryer's full force. |
| Just a little big | Warm water | Hang dry | The slightest shrinkage for dialling in a near perfect fit. |
| Perfect fit | Cold water | Air dry, no sun | No further shrinkage. This is your maintenance routine. |
Not sure which size to order?
Your size in every major brand, plus shrinkage warnings. Takes 20 seconds and you don't need to give us anything.
🥋 Gi Fit Finder
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I wash my belt?
Yes! The superstitious swear that washing your belt washes away your knowledge, but all it really washes away is the sweat, blood, and bacteria collected on the mats. Wash it with your gi and air dry it. Your stripes may loosen; your skills will survive.
How often should I wash my gi?
After every class, no exceptions. Your gi is like any other clothing: you wouldn't rewear a sweaty rashguard, so don't rewear a sweaty gi. The sooner after training you wash it, the better.
What if my gi still smells bad after washing?
Long term "gi funk" builds up even with regular washing. Try a deodorizing cleaner, or the DIY fix: soak the gi for 30 minutes in one part vinegar to four parts water. The vinegar soak also locks in colour, so it's worth doing on new blue or black gis before their first wash.
How do I keep a white gi white?
Add OxiClean to the wash, or soak in white vinegar with a little baking soda. Never, ever bleach a gi. Bleach weakens the fibres and yellows the fabric over time.
Do all gis shrink the same amount?
No. Different weaves and materials shrink differently, even between models from the same brand. Never assume a new gi will behave like your old one. Shrink slowly or you may end up with a gi that's way too small.
- A capful of pine sol in the wash kills the funk in even the oldest gi (if you don't mind smelling like a freshly waxed floor)
- Detergents formulated for sports gear get the funk out with a small amount of soap and are gentle on gi fabric
- Stitch your belt stripes on if they loosen in the wash
The Bottom Line
Your gi is an investment. Washing it properly, and shrinking it carefully if you need to, is the difference between a gi that lasts one year and a gi that lasts many. Get the first wash right and you set the pattern for the life of the gi.
Ready for your next one? Start with our guide to the best gis for your body type, or get your exact size from the Gi Fit Finder.
Originally published September 2011. Last updated July 2026.