# How to wash a judo gi: complete protocol (parents & students)

> Wash a judo gi without shrinking or yellowing: 30 °C (86 °F) max, cold water, no fabric softener, belt apart. Sourced from Mizuno, Kusakura, Daedo + ADEME.

**Published :** 2026-05-18

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**Résumé :** **In short:** a judo gi (judogi) machine-washes at
**30 °C (86 °F) max**, no bleach, no fabric softener, never the
tumble dryer. For a **new** gi, Mizuno recommends cold water; the
blog C'est quoi ton Kim suggests an additional overnight soak to remove the
starch. The **belt** never goes in the machine: hand-wash if
needed. Air-dry in the shade on a hanger.

## Quick answer

To **wash a judo gi** without shrinking or yellowing: machine **30 °C (86 °F)
max** (Kusakura, Daedo, Decathlon Outshock), **no bleach** (Mizuno), **no
fabric softener** (Mizuno, ADEME), **no tumble dryer** (Kusakura). Soak a
**new** gi overnight in cold water before the first wash to remove starch
(C'est quoi ton Kim). The **belt** washes apart — hand-wash if very dirty
(Daedo), otherwise air it. Air-dry on a hanger, in the shade (Mizuno). Do
not overdose detergent (ADEME).

## In brief

- **30 °C (86 °F) max** — the limit recommended by Kusakura, Daedo and Decathlon Outshock for a cotton judo gi.
- **Cold water for the first wash** — Mizuno recommends it to preserve the fabric over time.
- **No bleach or fabric softener** — bleach weakens fibres (Mizuno), softener degrades fabric integrity (Mizuno) and ADEME advises against softener in general.
- **No tumble dryer** — shrinkage risk (Kusakura). Air-dry in the shade on a hanger.
- **Belt apart** — never in the machine; hand-wash if needed (Decathlon, Daedo). A belt can shrink by up to 10 cm (4 in) but returns to length once tied.

**Produit recommandé**

*Cet article contient des liens affiliés. Les prix et la disponibilité peuvent varier.*

## Decision table

The right protocol depends on the scenario: new gi, used white, blue, kids,
yellowing or mouldy. All temperatures below are sourced (manufacturers + ADEME).

| Scenario | Temperature | Pre-treatment | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| New gi | Cold water (first wash, Mizuno) | Overnight cold-water soak (C'est quoi ton Kim) | Hot water on the first wash |
| White gi (used) | 30 °C / 86 °F (Kusakura) | Marseille soap on local stains | Bleach (Mizuno: discolouration) |
| Blue gi | 30 °C / 86 °F (Daedo) | Wash apart from whites (Decathlon) | Mixing with light laundry |
| Kids gi | 30 °C / 86 °F (Kusakura) | Close drawstrings (Kimono-Judo.fr) | Tumble dryer (Kusakura: shrinkage risk) |
| Yellowing gi | 30 °C / 86 °F (Kusakura) | Baking soda in the drum (Kimono-Judo.fr) | Direct sun or radiator (shade only) |
| Mouldy-smelling gi | 30 °C / 86 °F (Kusakura) | Cold-water pre-soak + baking soda + vinegar (myKarateStore) | Overdosing detergent (ADEME: don't overdose) |

## Step-by-step method

The standard method covers regular use. Specific scenarios (belt, new gi,
mould) are handled below under **Edge cases**.

- 1️⃣ **Sort and prepare** — Separate the gi from the rest of the laundry. White only with other whites (Decathlon Outshock). A blue gi washes apart to avoid bleeding onto light laundry (Decathlon Outshock). Tie the trouser drawstrings before the machine (Kimono-Judo.fr) — it prevents tangling or knotting in the drum.
- 2️⃣ **Pre-treat stains** — For local stains, dab the spot with damp Marseille soap (Kimono-Judo.fr). No vigorous rubbing: Royal Judo Club La Hulpe / Kalisport recommends patting without mechanical force. Local pre-treatment avoids raising the temperature on the entire gi.
- 3️⃣ **Wash at 30 °C (86 °F) max** — 30 °C (86 °F) max (Kusakura, Decathlon Outshock, Daedo). ADEME also confirms that the vast majority of laundry doesn't need to be washed above 30 °C. Follow the manufacturer's label for cycle choice. For first washes of a new gi, Mizuno advises cold water. Do not overdose detergent (ADEME, myKarateStore). No bleach (Mizuno), no fabric softener (Mizuno, ADEME).
- 4️⃣ **Air-dry in the shade** — Hang the gi on a sturdy hanger, in a ventilated spot, in the shade (Mizuno, Royal Judo Club La Hulpe / Kalisport). Never use the tumble dryer: Kusakura warns of shrinkage risk. Also avoid direct sun and radiators (Royal Judo Club La Hulpe).
- 5️⃣ **Iron (optional)** — Ironing is optional. If you do iron — grading sessions, competition, group photo — medium-heat ironing per Kusakura.

> Take the gi out of the sports bag as soon as you get home. The blog C'est quoi
> ton Kim recommends this. Spread it on a hanger or hang it open. For a beginner
> training twice a week, Decathlon Outshock advises a wash at the end of the
> week, airing the gi between sessions. Airing doesn't replace washing, but it
> stays recommended by the manufacturers between classes.

## Edge cases

### The belt: a case apart

The belt (obi) **never goes in the machine**: Decathlon Outshock says so,
Daedo confirms. Kusakura notes a belt can shrink by up to 10 cm (4 in), but
usually returns to length **once tied**. Daedo adds that a separate hand-wash
preserves the colour.

If the belt is very dirty or smells strongly, opt for a separate cold-water
hand-wash (Daedo) and lay-flat drying in the shade (Mizuno). Day-to-day,
airing it between classes is enough.

### A new gi: remove the starch before the first wash

A new gi comes out of the factory **stiff**, treated with starch or a sizing
agent to keep its shape for sale. Before the first wash, the blog C'est quoi
ton Kim recommends an **overnight cold-water soak** to remove that starch
and limit shrinkage.

After the soak, gently wring out (without twisting) and run the first wash
in cold water (Mizuno) or 30 °C (Kusakura), without overdosing detergent
(ADEME).

> **Warning:**
> - **No hot water on a new gi** — Mizuno recommends cold water to preserve the fabric.
> - **No bleach or fabric softener on the first wash** — Mizuno: bleach weakens fibres and causes discolouration; softener degrades fabric integrity and affects the grip.
> - **No tumble dryer afterwards** — air-dry only, on a hanger, in the shade.

### A yellowing gi

Several factors play a role: **bleach** (avoid — Mizuno) and **direct sun or
radiator drying** (avoid — Royal Judo Club La Hulpe / Kalisport).

The fix: return to the base protocol (30 °C, shade drying), add a little
**baking soda** in the drum as a mild whitener (Kimono-Judo.fr) and a splash
of **white vinegar** in the softener compartment to neutralise accumulated
odours. No miracle numbers — this is a recognised traditional use, not a
chemical stain remover.

The best fix is prevention: 30 °C, shade drying, from day one.

### A mouldy-smelling gi

A gi stored damp in a closed bag, or put away still slightly wet after a
quick dry, can develop a characteristic mouldy smell. myKarateStore proposes
a simple protocol:

1. **Cold-water pre-soak** in a basin or the bathtub, with baking soda and white vinegar (myKarateStore).
2. **Rinse briefly**, then run a **30 °C machine wash** (Kusakura) without overdosing detergent (ADEME, myKarateStore).
3. **Air-dry**, in the shade, on a hanger (Mizuno, Royal Judo Club La Hulpe).

The baking soda + vinegar protocol targets odours and mould (myKarateStore).
If the smell persists, run another cycle; if that fails, the gi may need
replacing.

### A blue gi

A blue gi washes **apart** to avoid bleeding onto light laundry. Decathlon
Outshock recommends not mixing it with light colours.

After a few washes, you can group it with other blues or darks. 30 °C max,
never bleach (Mizuno), shade drying always (Mizuno, Royal Judo Club La
Hulpe).

### A kids gi

Same protocol as adults — 30 °C max (Kusakura, Daedo, Decathlon), no tumble
dryer (Kusakura), hanger drying in the shade (Mizuno). A mesh wash bag can be used in addition for small sizes.

## IJF standards (competition)

For reference: IJF-approved gis weigh **650 to 750 g/m²** in Sashiko weave,
with sleeves reaching the wrist (1 cm / 0.4 in tolerance) per the Kusakura
synthesis of the IJF rules. Even an IJF gi remains limited to 30 °C in the
machine per the manufacturers (Kusakura, Daedo). **The manufacturer's label
prevails over everything**: for a competition gi, follow the brand's
instructions to the letter.

## Mistakes to avoid

> **Warning:**
> - **Quick tumble dry** — Kusakura: shrinkage risk. Mizuno instead recommends air-drying in the shade.
> - **Bleach to whiten** — Mizuno: bleach weakens fibres and causes discolouration.
> - **Belt in the machine** — Decathlon, Daedo and Kusakura: no machine. Separate hand-wash if needed (Daedo).
> - **Direct sun or radiator drying** — Royal Judo Club La Hulpe: in the shade, never near a direct heat source.
> - **Overdosing detergent** — ADEME and myKarateStore explicitly recommend not overdosing.

## The laundromat for washing a judo gi

For a family or club batch, the laundromat offers three concrete advantages
for washing a judo gi:

- **Family load in one cycle** — **9 kg (20 lb) washer available (standard family load)**. **18 kg (40 lb) washer available for large loads** (duvet, family batch). Standard wash cycle ~30 min.
- **Detergent included** — **Detergent and softener included in the wash price** — for the gi, simply skip the softener compartment (Mizuno, ADEME).
- **Open daily 07:00-22:00** — Open every day, 07:00–22:00. Handy for fitting in a wash before or after training. Loyalty card: up to -20% on all washes.

> Even at the laundromat, avoid the tumble dryer on a cotton gi (Kusakura:
> shrinkage risk). Wash at 30 °C at the laundromat, then bring the gi home damp
> and hang it on a hanger to air-dry in the shade (Mizuno, Royal Judo Club La
> Hulpe).

## FAQ

### What temperature should you wash a judo gi?

30 °C (86 °F) maximum. This is the limit recommended by Kusakura, Decathlon
Outshock, Daedo and ADEME. Daedo caps mixed cotton at 40 °C (104 °F), but
for pure cotton (most gis) stay at 30 °C. Mizuno even advises cold water to
preserve the Sashiko weave over time.

### Can the belt go in the machine?

No. Decathlon, Daedo and Kusakura all advise against machine-washing the
belt. Kusakura states a belt can shrink by up to 10 cm (4 in) but usually
returns to length once tied. Hand-wash separately if very dirty (Daedo);
day-to-day, airing it is enough.

### Why is my white gi yellowing?

Several factors play a role: bleach (which weakens fibres and causes
discolouration per Mizuno) and direct sun or radiator drying (Royal Judo
Club La Hulpe / Kalisport). The fix: wash at 30 °C, dry in the shade, and
add baking soda in the drum as a mild whitener (Kimono-Judo.fr).

### What if the gi smells mouldy?

myKarateStore recommends a cold-water pre-soak with baking soda and white
vinegar before a 30 °C machine wash. This helps neutralise odours and treat
a gi stored damp. Don't overdose detergent afterwards — ADEME and
myKarateStore both advise against it.

### How often should you wash a judo gi?

For a beginner training twice a week, Decathlon Outshock advises a wash at
the end of the week, airing the gi between sessions. For a regular
practitioner or competitor, Kusakura recommends an immediate cold-water
rinse after class and a 30 °C wash at least once a week, every 3-4 classes.

### How do you prevent a new gi from shrinking?

Soak the new gi overnight in cold water before the first wash to remove the
starch/sizing that makes the fabric stiff. The blog C'est quoi ton Kim
recommends this step, which helps limit shrinkage. Then wash at 30 °C max,
air-dry — never use the tumble dryer.

## Sources

- Mizuno Martial Arts, [Caring for Your Mizuno Judo Gi](https://www.mizunomartialarts.com.au/blogs/default-blog/blog-caring-for-your-mizuno-judo-gi) (judo gi manufacturer).
- Kusakura, [How to Take Care of Your Judo Equipment](https://www.kusakurashop.com/pages/how-to-take-care-of-your-judo-equipment) (Japanese manufacturer, IJF reference).
- Daedo, [Complete Guide to Caring for Your Judogi](https://www.aboutdaedo.com/en/complete-guide-to-caring-for-your-judogi/) (IJF-approved manufacturer).
- Kusakura, [International Judo Federation Regulation](https://www.kusakurashop.com/pages/international-judo-federation-regulation) (synthesis of IJF standards).
- Decathlon Outshock, [Comment choisir et entretenir son kimono](https://www.decathlon.fr/c/htc/comment-choisir-et-entretenir-son-kimono_6bac58b0-254f-40dd-b208-fbe9fab6b41a) (retailer own-brand guide).
- Kimono-Judo.fr, [Comment laver son kimono de judo — guide entretien](https://kimono-judo.fr/comment-laver-kimono-judo-guide-entretien/) (FR specialist shop).
- C'est quoi ton Kim, [10 conseils pour entretenir son kimono](https://www.cestquoitonkim.com/2015/05/10-conseils-pour-entretenir-son-kimono_2.html) (judo specialist blog).
- ADEME, [Entretien du linge : conseils santé et environnement](https://agirpourlatransition.ademe.fr/particuliers/amenager-maison/entretenir/entretien-linge-conseils-sante-environnement) (French public agency).
- myKarateStore, [Caring for Your Judo Gi](https://www.mykaratestore.com/blog/caring-for-your-judo-gi/) (martial arts specialist retailer).
- Royal Judo Club La Hulpe, [Entretien du kimono](https://royal-judo-club-la-hulpe.kalisport.com/entretien-kimono) (official judo club).



## Related reading

- Cluster: [sportswear care guide](/en/blog/sportswear-care-guide/index.md) — why synthetic clothing smells and how to treat it.
- Yellowed whites: [whiten yellowed laundry](/en/blog/whiten-yellowed-laundry/index.md).
- Shoes: [wash sports shoes in the machine](/en/blog/wash-shoes-guide/index.md).
- Our laundromats: [Blagnac Andromède](/en/blagnac-andromede/index.md) and [Toulouse Croix-Daurade](/en/toulouse-croix-daurade/index.md).