How to Clean Your Kimono and NoGi Gear

How to Clean Your Kimono & No-Gi Gear — BCKimonos Style

At BCKimonos, we know your gi and no-gi gear aren’t just equipment — they’re part of your training life. You push them hard, roll in them day after day, and they deserve good care. A well-cared uniform stays fresher, lasts longer, and feels better. Plus this stuff is expensive so taking care of it will make it last longer.  Nobody wants to be or roll with the stinky training partner.  

Here’s how we suggest you clean and maintain your gear after every session, plus a “reset soak” tip using our Witches Brew every ~6 months.

After Every Session: Daily Care

Make these habits part of your routine — they pay dividends in freshness, comfort, and longevity.

1. Rinse or soak immediately, if possible
   Right after class, give your gi or no-gi set a cold water rinse. This flushes out sweat, salt, and bacteria before they settle into fibres. Hang it up at least and don't let it stay cooped up in your bag or trunk.  It’s important that it doesn’t sit all bunched up without being able to dry out if you aren’t able to wash it right away. 

2. Use a gentle, sports-friendly detergent
   Wash in cold (for your gi) or lukewarm/warm water (for no-gi)(max ~30 °C). Use a mild detergent that doesn’t contain bleach, heavy fragrances, or fabric softeners (they can coat the fabric). Turn jackets or tops inside out to protect patches and embroidery.  (Unfortunately, we haven’t had success with ‘all natural’ soaps for our kimonos in removing the stink factor)

3. Don’t overload the machine
   Give your gear space to move. Crowded loads lead to friction, which accelerates wear, and over stuffing can lead to soap not making contact with all the material.

4. Choose the regular cycle
   Bonus but not necessary - If your machine allows, add a second rinse to make sure all detergent is out — residue can trap odour.
   

5. Air dry — never tumble (unless explicitly permitted)
   Hang your gi from the shoulders, pants from the waistband, and no-gi items on hangers or a drying rack (no-gi items can tolerate some low heat, however, air drying will prolong their life). Dry in a well-ventilated, shaded space (avoid direct UV). Make sure everything is fully dry before folding or storing. REMEMBER heat will shrink your gi.  

6. Store wisely
   Don’t sit your gear wet in a gym bag. Let it air out. Store in a cool, dry space. Use breathable bags if transporting it.  We suggest using one of our kimono bags within your regular gym bag to put sweaty gear in, this keeps your gym bag clean for transporting clean gear.

The Deep Clean: Reset Soak Every ~6 Months

No matter how diligent you are with daily care, over time your gear collects invisible residue: minerals from sweat, detergent buildup, oils, microbes. That’s where a careful, deeper reset helps restore performance, remove odor, and extend life.

We recommend using our Witches Brew for this purpose. It’s formulated specifically for grappling gear and built to treat the entire set (gi top, pants, rashguard, spats, etc.).

Benefits of Witches Brew

• Tailored for gi and no-gi fabrics — no bleach, no harsh solvents

• Breaks down buildup that regular washing can’t reach

• Helps restore the “breathability” and feeling of freshness

How to Use It (Reset Soak Method)

1. Fill a tub with cool or lukewarm water
   Use enough water to fully submerge your entire set.

2. Add Witches Brew
   Use the recommended amount per the product instructions.

3. Submerge all gear
   Gi top, pants, rashguard, spats — everything goes in.

4. Soak 20–30 minutes (or overnight)
   Gently agitate by hand now and then to loosen trapped grime.

5. Drain, then rinse thoroughly
   You’ll notice the colour of the water, a gross grey.  Rinse until the water runs clear.

6. Follow with a normal wash and hang dry 
   Use your regular gentle detergent cycle to wash away loosened debris, hang dry like normal
   

You don’t need to do this soak too often — once every ~6 months is enough for most people (or more often if you train several times per week in humid environments or find that you sweat more than the average bear).

Final notes

A clean and fresh uniform won’t improve your jiu jitsu but it will make you feel better and have more willing training partners. We suggest having more than one set of gear so that you can rotate them.  Wearing a rashguard and spats under your kimono will also help prolong it’s life.  Regular maintenance and cleaning is essential to taking care of your gear and your training partners - plus your coaches will thank you (without saying it).