How to care for your Karategi (karate kimono)?

Karate-gi.fr, your online store, offers you a wide choice of Karate-gi to suit your needs. But once you’ve received your suit of lights, how do you look after your karategi?

They say that taking care of your Karate-gi is like taking care of your personal hygiene.

Whatever the model of your Karate-gi, the instructions for its care remain more or less the same. The practice of martial arts such as Karate requires a Karate-gi in good condition and well adapted to its owner’s physique. That’s why it’s important to make a choice and follow certain rules, so that you can extend its life.

Here are a few simple rules to follow to get maximum satisfaction from your Karate-gi.

1. Wash your Karate-gi regularly

Wash your Karate-gi regularly! Regularly means preferably after every session, or more realistically after every two or three sessions maximum if you train daily.

This prevents your karate-gi from becoming too soiled, dirty or yellowed from dried sweat.

2. Do not wash your Karate-gi at high temperatures

When washing your Karate-gi, avoid using water that’s too hot! Use the lowest temperature setting (30 or 40°C). This not only minimizes shrinkage, but also damage to the fabric.

Some manufacturers recommend temperatures of 60°C, but we think it’s best not to exceed 40°C, barring exceptional circumstances.

If you regularly wash your Gi, hot washing is not necessary.

3. Avoid using bleach

If you follow rule number 1, this should never be necessary. Even blood, dirt and other stains can be removed without bleach if the Karategi is washed immediately.

Wash your Karate-gi as soon as the fabric is stained, rather than leaving it to dry for a while.

4. Choose mild detergents without bleach

If you follow rule number 1, it’s very doable. For Karate-gi stained with blood, for example, remove the stains by hand with a little detergent. Note for blood: use cold water. For heavy soiling, soak for a few hours in a warm detergent solution, then wash as usual.

5. Avoid the tumble dryer

The label on every Karate-gi clearly states that it should not be tumble-dried. However, this instruction is not always followed. Drying shrinks the Karate-gi (reducing its life), and damages it so that it gradually becomes stiffer and more likely to tear. Hang your Karate-gi in a dry place, but not in direct sunlight!

If you really must use a dryer, use a large commercial dryer (not a home washer/dryer) and set it to the most delicate setting. Dry the Karate-gi. It’s better to dry slowly at low temperature than to dry quickly at high temperature.

6. Wash your Karate-gi individually

Wherever possible, we strongly recommend washing your Karate-gi individually. The more space you have in your machine, the cleaner it will be. What’s more, there’s no risk of accidental discoloration or graying. It may seem obvious to most people, but never wash your Karate-gi with your belt (unless it’s a white belt, of course)!

7. If you iron, be careful!

Some people follow the “body iron” rule, whereby during the warm-up of a session, their body heat and sweat will iron the karate-gi. However, most people prefer ironing even though it is not recommended by the manufacturer. Due to the nature of many karate-gi fabrics, high temperatures are necessary. If possible, reduce the temperature you need to use by stretching and flattening the material when wet.

Wait until your kimono is completely dry. Hot-ironing a damp karate-gi will turn it yellow.

Then you’ll have to fold it properly until your next workout.

8. Do you like your Karate-gi?

Independent studies have shown that the more you love your Karate-gi, the more likely you are to care for it, and the longer your Karategi will last, so all the more reason to choose it wisely. Don’t hesitate to consult our article on how to choose your Karate-gi!

Now you’re ready to take care of your Karate-gi!

If you still have questions or tips to share with all Karatekas who wish to maintain their Karate-gi, leave your comment below.

Bruno,
at your service on Karate-Gi