BJJ Gi Maintenance Checklist: Keep Your Gi in Top Condition

This is the foundation of gi care. What you do in the first hour after training has more impact on your gi's lifespan than any other single factor.

Immediately after training:

1. Remove gi from bag: The moment you arrive home, take the gi out of your bag. A sealed gym bag with a warm, damp gi inside is a bacterial incubator — populations can double every 20–30 minutes in those conditions.
2. Hang to air out: If you cannot wash immediately, hang the gi on a sturdy hanger or over a door in a ventilated area. Do not leave it bundled on the floor or draped over a chair in a ball.
3. Inspect for damage: Do a quick visual check — look for any blood, stains, or mat transfer marks that need immediate treatment. Check for new tears, loose stitching, or damage at stress points.
4. Treat stains immediately: Blood stains must be rinsed in cold water straight away — heat sets protein stains permanently. For other stains, see our stain removal guide.

Washing:

1. Turn the gi inside out to protect patches and the outer surface
2. Wash in cold water at 30°C or below — no exceptions
3. Use a standard biological detergent or sport-specific detergent
4. Never add fabric softener — it coats fibres, traps bacteria, and weakens fabric
5. Wash separately from regular clothes — a wet gi is heavy and can damage lighter items

Drying:

1. Remove the gi from the machine immediately after the cycle finishes
2. Hang on a sturdy hanger or drying rack with good airflow — spread the jacket open
3. Do not fold or store until the gi is completely dry — including the collar, waistband, and seam areas which take longest

For complete step-by-step washing and drying instructions, see our washing guide and drying guide.

Once per week — or after every 3–4 training sessions — add these extra steps to your standard wash routine. This prevents odour buildup and keeps the fabric in optimal condition.

1. Vinegar boost: Add 125ml (half a cup) of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or directly into the drum. Vinegar kills odour-causing bacteria and dissolves mineral buildup from hard water.
2. Baking soda boost: Add 125g (half a cup) of baking soda directly to the drum along with your detergent. Baking soda neutralises odour-causing acids and acts as a mild abrasive that helps clean fabric.
3. Pre-treat problem areas: Apply a baking soda paste (baking soda mixed with a small amount of water) to the collar and underarm areas. Let it sit for 15–30 minutes before loading into the machine.
4. Extra rinse cycle: Run an additional rinse to remove all detergent and cleaning agent residue from the fabric.

Do not forget:

• Wash the belt: Belts are often neglected but collect just as much sweat and bacteria as the gi. Wash your belt at least weekly. Despite the myth, washing your belt does not wash away your knowledge.
• Clean the gym bag: Wipe down the interior with an antibacterial spray, or machine wash the bag if the material allows. A dirty bag recontaminates a clean gi.

If your gi develops persistent odour despite weekly deep cleaning, see our dedicated odour removal guide for more aggressive treatment methods.

A thorough monthly inspection catches developing problems before they become failures. Set a reminder and spend 10 minutes going through this checklist once a month.

Lay the gi flat and check every stress point:

• Collar: Feel along the full length of the collar. Check for cracking, flattening, soft spots, or stitching separating from the jacket. A healthy collar should feel firm and consistent throughout.
• Underarm seams: Check for loose stitching or gaps where the sleeve meets the body. This is one of the highest-stress areas due to arm movement during grip fighting.
• Crotch gusset: Check for thinning fabric and seam integrity. The gusset bears significant stress from guard work and hip movement.
• Knee reinforcements: Check that both layers of the knee reinforcement are securely attached. Feel for any separation between the reinforcement panel and the base fabric.
• Drawstring and loops: Check the drawstring for fraying and test the loops that anchor it to the waistband. Replace frayed drawstrings before they snap mid-training.
• Sleeve cuffs and hem: Check for fraying or unravelling at the ends of sleeves and pant legs.
• Patches: Ensure all patches are securely attached with no lifting edges.

The light test: Hold the gi jacket up to a strong light source (a window or overhead light). Check the chest, back, and knee areas — if you can see light through the fabric, it is thinning and approaching end of life. See our gi lifespan guide for more on when to replace.

Monthly deep soak: Perform a Vanish Oxi Action or oxygen bleach soak for 2–4 hours (especially beneficial for white gis). This lifts embedded stains, brightens the fabric, and provides a deeper clean than machine washing alone.

Address repairs immediately: If you find any loose stitching or small tears, repair them now. A 15-minute repair today prevents a gi-ending failure next month. Understanding quality indicators helps you know what to prioritise during inspection.

The UK's climate changes significantly between seasons, and your gi care routine should adapt accordingly.

A failed gi check at competition is embarrassing and avoidable. IBJJF and most UK competitions require gis to meet specific measurement and condition standards. Start preparing at least a week in advance.

1 week before competition:

• Inspect the competition gi thoroughly — check all seams, patches, collar integrity, and overall condition
• Verify IBJJF measurements: the sleeve must reach no more than 2cm above the wrist crease when arms are extended straight; the pant leg must reach no more than 2cm above the ankle bone (updated from the previous 5cm tolerance in late 2024); the collar opening must not exceed specified dimensions
• Check that all patches comply with size and placement rules — patches must not exceed 25cm x 15cm and must be placed in approved zones only
• Wash and inspect for any damage, loose patches, or stitching issues

2–3 days before:

• Final wash in cold water only — do not use hot water, as any shrinkage at this point could cause measurement failure
• Air dry completely

1 day before:

• Try the gi on and verify fit — check sleeve length, pant length, jacket closure
• Final patch check — ensure nothing is lifting or loose
• Ensure the gi is clean, dry, and odour-free — referees can reject a gi for hygiene reasons

Pack:

• Competition gi folded neatly in a clean bag
• Backup gi (mandatory at most IBJJF events)
• Backup belt
• Safety pins and athletic tape for emergency fixes

The most common gi check failures are: sleeves or pants too short from cumulative shrinkage, collar too thick or too thin, patches in wrong positions or exceeding size limits, and gis in poor condition (torn, stained, or odorous). For the full IBJJF measurement guide, see our IBJJF requirements page and competition checklist.

Competition days are harder on gis than regular training — multiple matches, higher intensity, and often blood exposure. Post-competition care should be more thorough than your daily routine.

1. Wash immediately: Do not leave the competition gi in your bag overnight. Wash it as soon as you get home, even if you are exhausted.
2. Check for blood: Inspect for blood stains — both yours and your opponent's. Rinse any blood in cold water immediately before washing. Never use hot water on blood.
3. Inspect for damage: Competition matches put more stress on gis than typical training. Check all seams, the collar, knee reinforcements, and any patches for new damage.
4. Deep clean: Perform a full vinegar soak (250ml in cold water for 2 hours) followed by a normal wash. Competition gis absorb sweat from multiple matches and opponents.
5. Air dry thoroughly: Ensure the gi is completely dry before storing. Damp gis stored after a competition are a common cause of mould and persistent odour.

Keeping a basic repair kit and addressing damage promptly extends your gi's life significantly. Most common repairs can be done at home with minimal skill.

Your gi repair kit (approximately £10–£15 total):

• Heavy-duty polyester thread (white and matching colours) — £2–£4
• Curved needle (makes seam repairs much easier) — £2–£3
• Straight needles, assorted sizes — £1–£2
• Sharp scissors — £3–£5
• Spare drawstring — £3–£6 from Amazon UK or martial arts retailers such as Made4Fighters
• Thimble (optional but saves your fingers) — £1

Common repairs:

• Seam separation: Use heavy-duty polyester thread and a curved needle. Stitch in small, tight stitches along the original seam line, overlapping the repair at least 1cm beyond the separation on each side. If you are not confident, a local tailor charges approximately £5–£15 for seam restitching.
• Knee reinforcement detachment: Can be restitched at home following the original stitch line, or taken to a tailor for approximately £10–£20. Use heavy-duty thread and stitch through both the reinforcement layer and the base fabric.
• Drawstring replacement: Remove the old drawstring, attach the new one to a safety pin, and thread it through the waistband channel. Replacement drawstrings are available from Amazon UK and specialist martial arts retailers.
• Patch reattachment: Iron-on patches can be re-ironed using a hot iron and a damp cloth. Sewn patches need restitching along the original stitch line.
• Collar repair: Collar damage is usually beyond home repair. A tailor may be able to restitch minor separations (approximately £10–£20), but significant collar structural failure — cracking, flattening, or core exposure — typically means the gi needs replacing.

How you store your gi between sessions and during off-season periods affects both its condition and its lifespan.

Between sessions:

• Store only when completely dry — check the collar and waistband, which retain moisture longest
• Fold neatly or hang on sturdy padded or wooden hangers — avoid thin wire hangers that can stretch the shoulder area
• Keep in a wardrobe or drawer with ventilation — not in sealed plastic bags, airtight containers, or damp cupboards
• Do not stack heavy items on top of folded gis

Long-term storage (seasonal rotation):

• Wash and deep clean the gi before storage — never store a gi that has been worn, even once, without washing
• Ensure the gi is completely dry — even slight residual dampness can cause mildew over weeks of storage
• Store with silica gel packets to absorb any ambient moisture — available in bulk on Amazon UK for approximately £5–£8
• Use cedar balls or sachets to manage moisture and deter moths — available from Amazon UK, John Lewis, or Lakeland for approximately £3–£6 per pack
• Store in a breathable cotton or canvas storage bag, or simply folded on a shelf — never in sealed plastic
• Check stored gis every 4–6 weeks for mildew or moth damage

A rotation system is one of the simplest and most effective ways to extend gi lifespan. Spreading usage across multiple gis gives each one time to rest, dry fully, and recover between sessions.

Rotation strategy:

• Number your gis (a simple tag or marker on the care label) and rotate sequentially. Do not always reach for the same favourite gi — uneven rotation defeats the purpose.
• Track usage: note how many sessions each gi has done. A simple tally on your phone or a mark on the gi's care label works. Replace or repair based on actual usage, not calendar age.
• Budget planning: Spread purchases across the year rather than buying all at once. Replace the oldest gi in your rotation when it shows signs of wear, and the new gi takes its place in the cycle.

Following this checklist can significantly extend your gi's lifespan — see our lifespan guide for expected durations by quality and training frequency.

Bookmark this page or print this summary to keep by your washing machine:

After Every Session (Daily):

• Remove gi from bag immediately
• Inspect for stains, blood, damage
• Treat stains with cold water
• Wash at 30°C — no fabric softener
• Air dry completely before storing

Weekly:

• Add vinegar (125ml) and baking soda (125g) to wash
• Pre-treat collar and underarms with baking soda paste
• Run extra rinse cycle
• Wash belt
• Clean gym bag interior

Monthly:

• Full stress-point inspection (collar, underarms, gusset, knees, drawstring, hems)
• Light test for fabric thinning
• Deep soak with Vanish Oxi Action (2–4 hours)
• Address any minor repairs
• Check patch adhesion

Seasonally:

• Assess rotation needs and drying setup
• Deep clean all gis in collection
• Inspect stored gis for mildew or moth damage
• Repair or replace as needed
• Refresh storage with cedar balls and silica gel

Pre-Competition:

• 1 week out: Inspect, measure, wash
• 2–3 days out: Final cold wash, air dry
• 1 day out: Try on, verify fit, final check
• Pack: Competition gi + backup gi + backup belt + tape + safety pins

Post-Competition:

• Wash immediately
• Cold water rinse any blood
• Inspect for match damage
• Full vinegar soak deep clean
• Air dry thoroughly