BJJ Gi Smell and Odour Removal: The Complete Guide

Understanding what causes gi odour is the first step to eliminating it. The smell is not simply "sweat" — it is the metabolic byproduct of microorganisms feeding on organic matter trapped in the fabric.

Bacterial growth: Sweat, skin cells, and saliva create an ideal food source for bacteria. In warm, damp conditions — exactly what a post-training gi provides — bacterial populations can double every 20–30 minutes. The bacteria metabolise sweat proteins and produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that create the characteristic funk.

Fungal growth: Damp fabric left in gym bags or poorly ventilated spaces encourages mould and mildew growth. These fungi produce their own musty, earthy odours that compound the bacterial smell.

Biofilm formation: When bacteria colonise fabric over time, they can form a biofilm — a sticky, resilient layer that adheres deep within the cotton fibres. Biofilms are resistant to standard detergents and washing cycles, which is why a gi can smell even immediately after washing. The bacteria are still there; the wash simply was not aggressive enough to break through the biofilm.

Hard water: Much of England and Wales has hard water, particularly London, the South East, and East Anglia. Mineral deposits from hard water can trap bacteria within the fabric and reduce detergent effectiveness. If you live in a hard water area, you may need to use more detergent or add a water softener to your wash.

Fabric softener buildup: One of the most common hidden causes of gi odour. Fabric softener coats fibres with a waxy residue that traps bacteria and prevents detergent from reaching the fabric surface. Never use fabric softener on a BJJ gi.

Some gi materials resist odour better than others — cotton-polyester blends and ripstop fabrics tend to harbour less bacteria than pure heavyweight cotton.

Prevention is far easier and cheaper than treating established odour. Build these habits into your training routine and you may never face a seriously smelly gi.

• Wash immediately after training: This is the single most important prevention step. Bacteria multiply rapidly in warm, damp fabric. Every hour you delay washing gives the colonies more time to establish themselves.
• Never leave a wet gi in your gym bag: Take the gi out of your bag the moment you get home. If you cannot wash it straight away, hang it in a well-ventilated area to air out. A sealed gym bag is a bacterial incubator.
• Ensure complete drying: A gi must be bone dry before you fold and store it. Any residual moisture — even slight dampness in the collar or waistband — feeds bacterial growth. In the UK climate, this often means using a drying rack near a heat source or a dehumidifier during winter. See our complete drying guide for techniques.
• Store in a dry, ventilated space: Never store gis in sealed plastic bags, damp cupboards, or airtight containers. A wardrobe or open shelf with air circulation is ideal.
• Rotate your gis: Own at least 2–3 gis and rotate them between sessions. This gives each gi time to fully dry and air out, and spreads the wear across multiple garments.
• Avoid fabric softener: It coats fibres and creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle instead if you want softer fabric.
• Use sport-specific detergent periodically: Products formulated for athletic wear break down sweat and body oils more effectively than regular detergent. You do not need to use them every wash — once a week or once a fortnight is sufficient for prevention.

Proper washing is the first line of defence against odour — read our full washing guide for step-by-step instructions.

White vinegar is the most popular home remedy for gi odour in the BJJ community, and for good reason — it is cheap, effective, and backed by science. Acetic acid (the active component of vinegar) kills a broad spectrum of bacteria and dissolves the biofilm that protects bacterial colonies within fabric fibres. It also dissolves mineral deposits from hard water that can trap bacteria.

What you need:

• White distilled vinegar (any supermarket brand works — Sarson's or own-brand)
• A bathtub, large basin, or bucket
• Cold water

Method:

1. Fill your bathtub or basin with cold water — enough to fully submerge the gi
2. Add 250ml (one cup) of white distilled vinegar per gi
3. Submerge the gi completely and press down to ensure full saturation
4. Soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours for mild odour, or up to 4–8 hours for severe cases
5. Drain the soak water
6. Transfer the gi to your washing machine and wash normally at 30°C with your regular detergent
7. Air dry thoroughly

Alternative — add vinegar directly to the wash: Pour 125ml (half a cup) of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser or directly into the drum at the start of the rinse cycle. This is a good maintenance method for weekly use.

Does the gi smell of vinegar afterwards? No. The vinegar smell dissipates completely during the wash cycle and drying. Your gi will smell neutral — which is exactly what you want.

How often: Use a vinegar soak once a month as preventative maintenance, or immediately when you notice odour developing. Adding vinegar to the wash weekly is safe for the fabric and provides ongoing protection.

Cost: White distilled vinegar costs approximately £0.50–£1.00 per litre at UK supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, and Lidl. A single soak costs less than 25p — making this the cheapest odour removal method available.

Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is a natural deodoriser that neutralises odour-causing acids produced by bacteria. It works differently from vinegar — rather than killing bacteria directly, it neutralises the acidic compounds they produce and creates an alkaline environment that inhibits further bacterial growth.

Method:

• In the wash: Add 125g (half a cup) of baking soda directly to the washing machine drum along with your regular detergent. Run a normal cold cycle.
• As a pre-soak: Dissolve 125g of baking soda in a basin of cold water, submerge the gi, and soak for 1–2 hours before washing.
• As a spot treatment: Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to odour-prone areas (collar, armpits, crotch gusset), leave for 30 minutes, then wash.

Combining with vinegar: Many practitioners use vinegar in the soak step and baking soda in the wash cycle. This is effective because each targets odour through a different mechanism. However, do not mix them directly in the same water — the acid and base neutralise each other, reducing the effectiveness of both. Use them in separate steps.

Frequency: Baking soda can be safely added to every wash as a preventative measure. It will not damage the fabric.

Cost: Baking soda costs approximately £0.65–£1.50 per kilogram at any UK supermarket — usually found in the baking aisle.

Sport-specific detergents are formulated with enzymes and surfactants designed to break down the protein-based stains and embedded body oils that cause persistent odour in athletic wear. They are more effective than standard detergent at tackling established odour, though they cost more per wash.

UK-available sport detergents:

• Halo Proactive Sports Wash — The UK's most popular sport-specific detergent. Approved to British standards EN1275 and EN1276 for antimicrobial efficacy. Proven to kill athlete's foot fungus and odour-causing bacteria trapped in fabric weave. Works effectively at 30°C. Available at Sainsbury's for approximately £8.00 per 1-litre bottle (25 washes, approximately £0.32 per wash), and on Amazon UK. Also available in a 2-litre twin pack for better value.
• Nikwax Base Wash — Originally designed for technical outdoor fabrics but works excellently on gi cotton. Effective at low temperatures. Available from outdoor retailers and Amazon UK for approximately £8–£12 per litre.
• Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser — Not sport-specific but kills 99.9% of bacteria at low temperatures. Widely available at Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Asda for approximately £3.50–£4.50 per 1.5-litre bottle. A cost-effective option if you do not want to invest in a dedicated sport wash.
• Atsko Sport-Wash — Residue-free sport detergent popular in the BJJ community internationally. Available on Amazon UK for approximately £10–£14.

Cost comparison: A standard detergent wash costs approximately £0.10–£0.15. A sport-specific detergent wash costs approximately £0.25–£0.40. The premium is justified when dealing with persistent odour, but for routine washing a standard biological detergent at 30°C is perfectly adequate.

For daily washing advice, see our complete gi washing guide.

Enzyme cleaners contain biological enzymes — typically proteases and lipases — that break down organic matter at a molecular level. They target the proteins, fats, and dead skin cells that bacteria feed on, effectively removing the food source rather than just killing the bacteria. This makes them particularly effective for severe, deep-set odour that has not responded to vinegar or standard washing.

How to use:

1. Dissolve the enzyme cleaner in a bathtub or large basin of warm water (not hot — high temperatures can denature the enzymes)
2. Submerge the gi completely
3. Soak for several hours or overnight — enzyme cleaners work slowly but thoroughly
4. Drain and wash the gi normally in the machine
5. Air dry completely

UK-available enzyme cleaners suitable for gi odour:

• Bio One Biological Cleaner — A UK-made enzyme cleaner originally designed for pet odour but excellent for any organic odour source. Contains active biological cultures that consume organic matter. Available on Amazon UK for approximately £8–£12 per 500ml concentrate.
• Vanish Oxi Action — Contains oxygen-based bleach and enzymes. Dissolve a scoop in warm water and soak the gi for 2–4 hours. Available at all major UK supermarkets — approximately £3.50–£5.00 for a 470g tub. The Crystal White version is best for white gis; the Gold version works on coloured gis.
• Ecover Stain Remover — Plant-based enzyme formula that is gentler on fabrics. Available at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and health food shops for approximately £3.00–£4.00.
• Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils — Specialist enzyme treatments for specific stain types. The "Sweat & Deodorant" formula targets protein-based odour sources. Available at UK supermarkets for approximately £2.50–£3.50.

Enzyme cleaners are the best option when other methods have failed. They are particularly effective because they address the root cause — the organic matter embedded in the fabric — rather than just the symptoms.

Ultraviolet light from the sun kills bacteria and fungi on fabric surfaces. Hanging your gi outside in direct sunlight is a free, zero-effort supplementary method that helps maintain freshness between deep cleans.

Method: Hang the gi outside on a washing line or sturdy hanger in direct sunlight for 2–4 hours. Ensure the gi is spread open so both sides receive UV exposure.

Effectiveness: UV exposure is a good supplementary method but is not sufficient alone for severe odour. It only affects surface bacteria — it does not penetrate deep into fabric fibres the way a soak method does. Think of it as maintenance rather than treatment.

Colour warning: Prolonged sun exposure causes fading, particularly on blue and black gis. Limit sun drying for coloured gis to 2–3 hours maximum. White gis benefit from sun exposure — UV light has a natural bleaching effect that helps maintain brightness.

UK practicality: Sunlight is obviously weather-dependent and seasonal. In the UK, this method is most practical from April to September. During winter months, rely on indoor methods instead. Drying your gi correctly prevents the conditions that cause odour — see our drying guide for year-round solutions.

The freezing method is a commonly recommended hack: place a dry gi in a sealed plastic bag and leave it in the freezer overnight. The theory is that freezing temperatures kill odour-causing bacteria.

The reality: Freezing puts most bacteria into a dormant state rather than killing them. Research on textile bacteria shows that while freezing can reduce bacterial activity temporarily, many common odour-causing strains — including Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species — survive freezing and resume metabolic activity once the fabric returns to room temperature. The bacteria are essentially hibernating, not dead.

Community experience: Most BJJ practitioners who have tried the freezing method report mixed results at best. The odour may seem reduced immediately after removing the gi from the freezer, but it returns quickly once the gi warms up during training.

Verdict: The freezing method is not recommended as a primary odour removal strategy. It may provide very temporary relief but does not address the underlying bacterial colonisation. A vinegar soak is cheaper, faster, and far more effective. Save your freezer space for food.

For gis with persistent odour that regular washing does not resolve, follow this deep cleaning protocol. It combines multiple methods for maximum effectiveness.

1. Pre-soak in vinegar: Fill a bathtub with cold water and add 250ml (one cup) of white vinegar. Submerge the gi and soak for 2–4 hours.
2. Drain and transfer: Remove the gi from the soak and place it in the washing machine drum.
3. Wash with sport detergent and baking soda: Add your sport-specific detergent (or regular detergent) plus 125g of baking soda directly to the drum. Wash on a 30–40°C cycle.
4. Extra rinse: Run an additional rinse cycle to ensure all cleaning agents are thoroughly removed from the fabric.
5. Air dry in sunlight: Hang the gi outside in direct sunlight if possible, or in a well-ventilated area with good airflow. Ensure the gi is completely dry before storing.
6. Repeat weekly: If the odour is severe, repeat this deep clean weekly until the smell is gone. Most gis respond within 2–3 treatments.

If the deep clean does not work after 3–4 attempts, the biofilm may have penetrated too deeply into the fabric fibres. At that point, the gi may be beyond saving. See our gi lifespan guide for advice on when to retire a gi.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a gi is simply too far gone. Recognising when to stop trying and retire the gi saves you time, money on cleaning products, and frustration.

Signs a gi cannot be recovered:

• Odour returns within a single training session despite a full deep clean
• Visible mould or mildew stains that do not wash out
• Fabric has become permanently stiff, discoloured, or feels "greasy" even when clean
• The smell is noticeable even when the gi is dry and freshly laundered

Why it happens: The biofilm has penetrated so deeply into the fabric fibres that no cleaning method can fully reach it. Every wash removes surface bacteria, but the deep colony regenerates within hours of the gi becoming warm and damp again during training.

What to do:

• Donate: If the gi is structurally sound, many BJJ academies accept donated gis for beginners who cannot afford their own. The odour issue may be manageable for someone who can immediately implement a proper care routine on a less-colonised gi.
• Repurpose: Old gis make excellent grip training aids — cut strips for pull-up attachments or use the fabric for sewing practice.
• Textile recycling: UK textile recycling centres and clothing banks accept old clothing including gis.

Persistent odour is most common with gis that have been repeatedly left wet in gym bags, stored damp, or washed irregularly. Building odour prevention into your regular care routine ensures your next gi does not suffer the same fate.

Everything you need for gi odour removal is readily available in the UK. Here is a complete shopping list with approximate prices:

Basic odour removal (under £3 total):

• White distilled vinegar — Sarson's or any supermarket own-brand. £0.50–£1.00 per litre at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Aldi, Lidl.
• Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) — Any supermarket brand. £0.65–£1.50 per kilogram from the baking aisle.

Enhanced cleaning (£3–£8):

• Vanish Oxi Action — £3.50–£5.00 for 470g. Crystal White for white gis, Gold for coloured. All major UK supermarkets.
• Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser — £3.50–£4.50 for 1.5 litres. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda.
• Ecover Stain Remover — £3.00–£4.00. Sainsbury's, Waitrose, health food shops.

Sport-specific detergents (£8–£14):

• Halo Proactive Sports Wash — £8.00–£13.00 for 1 litre (25 washes). Sainsbury's, Amazon UK. The UK's most popular sport wash, approved to British antimicrobial standards.
• Nikwax Base Wash — £8–£12 for 1 litre. Outdoor retailers, Amazon UK.
• Atsko Sport-Wash — £10–£14. Amazon UK.

Enzyme cleaners (£3–£12):

• Bio One Biological Cleaner — £8–£12 for 500ml concentrate. Amazon UK.
• Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils (Sweat & Deodorant) — £2.50–£3.50. UK supermarkets.

For most practitioners, white vinegar and baking soda are all you will ever need. Reserve the specialist products for severe or persistent odour that home remedies cannot shift. Odour and stains often go hand in hand — see our stain removal guide for product crossover.

Your gym bag can be a major contributor to gi odour. A sealed bag full of damp training gear is a perfect bacterial incubator. Taking care of your bag is part of taking care of your gi.

• Use a breathable bag: Mesh or ventilated gym bags allow airflow that inhibits bacterial growth. Look for bags with mesh panels or ventilation grommets.
• Consider a hemp bag: Datsusara makes gym bags from hemp canvas that is naturally antimicrobial, breathable, and durable. Available in the UK from Made4Fighters — standard mainland UK delivery is £4.50 (3 working days) or £7.99 for next working day. The Hemp Gear Bag Mini (29L) is ideal for a single gi and gear, while the Gear Bag Pro (92L) fits a full training kit. Hemp fibre naturally resists bacterial growth, so the bag itself stays fresh without washing.
• Use a wet bag for transport: If you need to carry a wet gi home, use a dedicated waterproof wet bag to contain the moisture. Wash the wet bag regularly.
• Never seal a wet gi: If you must put a damp gi in your bag, leave the bag open or unzipped to allow some airflow.
• Clean the bag itself: Wipe the interior of your gym bag with antibacterial spray monthly, or machine wash it if the material allows.
• Odour absorbers: Place activated charcoal bags or cedar sachets in your gym bag between uses. Activated charcoal absorbs moisture and odour — bags are available on Amazon UK for approximately £5–£8 for a multi-pack. Replace every 1–2 months or reactivate in sunlight.