How to care for your karate belt

At Karate-gi, we offer a very wide choice of Karate belts. From white to black belts, in all colors: yellow, orange, green, blue, violet, red, brown… plus intermediate bi-color belts, and belts for Masters from 6th dan upwards…

You can also choose your belts according to the type of fabric you want: pique cotton, high-quality cotton, satin or even natural silk. In short, you can choose the belt that’s right for you, and the one that goes best with your Kimono!

But buying a karate belt is one thing! Taking care of it is another matter! How do I maintain my karate belt? I’ll give you a few tips throughout this article!

In Japan, according to one manufacturer, “belts are not designed to be washed, they are simply hung to dry, and the Japanese don’t wash their belts”. The Japanese also recommend replacing belts as they age, or having several belts on hand to prevent them from wearing out too quickly.

However, you can take care of your belt from time to time to make it last longer. Just follow a few simple rules,

I- Care of cotton cotton belts

Cotton belts are machine-washable. However, we recommend hand-washing and hanging to dry to limit shrinkage. Please note, however, that since the belts are made of cotton, you should allow for between 3 and 5% shrinkage. On a 3m belt, this represents 10 to 15 cm. If your belt is already short, think again.

1. Wash as required

You don’t need to wash your belt every time you wear it, just wash it regularly, once a month or every two months, depending on how often you train. In summer and humid climates, it’s best not to let sweat dry out too often. More frequent washing may therefore be recommended. Be aware, however, that the more you wash your belt, the more likely it is to fade and discolor.

2. Wash separately on a delicate cycle

It is not advisable to wash your belt with your Kimono (unless gray is your favorite color). Likewise, we advise against washing your Karate belt with other clothing (or very little), as friction with other garments may cause premature wear.

3. Always wash cold

As with Karategi, only cold washing is permitted for cotton belts (or 30°C maximum). This not only preserves the belt’s color, but also prolongs its life.

4. Use only mild detergents

Obviously, don’t use detergents with bleach. Hand-wash” or “delicate” detergents are best. However, use them sparingly.

5. Do not use tumble dryers

We do not recommend tumble-drying. For your belt, we recommend a light spin and hanging outside, but out of the sun. Always dry in the shade, even if it takes longer.

6. Stretch belt before drying

The small drawback of washing is that belts shrink when you wash them. Some people have reported shrinkage of up to 10 centimeters or even more (which isn’t that much on a 3m belt after all). To avoid shrinkage, stretch and flatten the belt before drying.

II- Karate belt care: silk and satin belts

Silk and satin belts are more delicate than cotton belts. In fact, the outer coating is less rigid and can easily fade or be damaged if the wrong products are used or if you are too “aggressive” in your cleaning.

1- Hand wash only with “delicate” detergent

Never machine-wash a silk or satin belt! We recommend hand-washing your silk or satin belts with a “delicate” or special silk detergent. A gentle spin cycle may be used to dry the belt a little before hanging to dry.

2- Dry cleaning

If you don’t feel like hand-washing your belt, dry-cleaning may also be an option. To do this, wipe it frequently with a slightly damp cloth or towel after training and let it dry completely by hanging it outside. This will extend the life of your belt and reduce the need for frequent washing.

3- Wash separately from other clothes

For satin and silk belts especially, avoid washing them with other garments, as they can be damaged by mixing with the fibers of a rougher fabric. So be sure to wash them separately to avoid damage.

 

All these easy tips will help you keep your karate belt in good condition for longer.

To extend the life of your belt even further, we also recommend that you wash it yourself, because no one will take better care of your Karate belt than you!

Otherwise, if you need to replace your belt, add some or buy a new color, Karate-gi offers a wide range of quality belts! Most of the major brands are here for you to compare and buy the belt that goes best with your Karategi! Don’t hesitate to contact us before ordering.

You can also ask questions or give advice in the comments below. This will benefit all Karatekas who want to take care of their belt.

Bruno,
at your service on Karate-Gi