Dogi Care Advice

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[seele]

I have a moderate quality dogi (JK) which I typically wash in warm water and line dry. I've had it about 2 months and wash it after ever class (~2-3x/week.. I should probably get another one). When I first got the dogi, it was pretty soft and pliable and stayed that way for a few washings. After a while, the material started getting rough and stiff and now feels like very rough hemp instead of the soft cotton it started as. I want to tumble dry it to see if it will soften up, but I'm afraid it will shrink (I've heard horror stories of dogis shrinking more than one size in the drier). Everyone at my dojo has such soft dogis (newer and worn in). What am I doing wrong with my laundry!? :confused:

As a side, anyone have recommendations on wash and tumble dry-friendly gi?

[gdandscompserv]

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8341
:D

[David Maidment]

I wear Nine Circles' Aikido Gis (http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/items.asp?CatID=28). I wash it in a washing machine (on about 30°C) and tumble-dry or hang out to dry. To date I've had no issues with shrinkage like my other gis.

[dalen7]

(I've heard horror stories of dogis shrinking more than one size in the drier). Everyone at my dojo has such soft dogis (newer and worn in). What am I doing wrong with my laundry!? :confused:

As a side, anyone have recommendations on wash and tumble dry-friendly gi?

Well, if it makes you feel better, over the 2 years I have had my gi it has shrunk considerably. - getting up mid-way on my forearms after being full length... and in Europe we typically dont have driers - in this part of Hungary anyway. :)

Wouldnt worry about the size as much, it will make it easier for people to grab your wrist if it shrinks some... and then forearm for yonkyo, and so forth. lol

Sorry couldnt be of more help. ;)

Peace

dAlen

[RED]

yeah... I've washed my gi a total of 4 times in all of my training... but not everyone can smell as sweet as me :P

[ninjaqutie]

I can't speak for your gi, but mine did shrink a bit. My pants are more like capris now, but my gi top is okay. I knew the pants would end up short because I used to wear a size bigger in pants (long legs) then my gi top (short torso), but my sensei only sells them together. I wouldn't worry if your sleeves shrink as then you don't have to roll up your sleeves for some techniques. Having short pants isn't that bad either. The only think I don't like is that my reinforced knees are above my knees. HAHA. So I don't have the extra padding there like some people do. Oh well.

My husband and I wash our gi's in cold water and then throw them in the dryer on the lowest heat setting. Ours seem to be doing alright and they are as "soft" as they were when we got them. Though, I am convinced that my husbands is more pliable and soft then mine.. but that is a different story. :)

[Larry Cuvin]

Hi Celeste,
Do you use fabric softener? When its sunny, I hang dry my gi. I forgot to put fabric softener one time and the gi dried up like a sand paper (the gi was fairly new). If you want to tumble dry, use low heat.

Good luck,
Larry

[seele]

Hi Celeste,
Do you use fabric softener? When its sunny, I hang dry my gi. I forgot to put fabric softener one time and the gi dried up like a sand paper (the gi was fairly new). If you want to tumble dry, use low heat.

Good luck,
Larry

Hi Larry,

I'm allergic to a lot of detergents and generally avoid fabric softener (I haven't found a fragrance free one yet, just the Tide Free detergent). Also, I was hoping to avoid it for some of the reasons in the post Ricky posted (some people complained it makes their gi slippery).

I might give in and try half a measure for every other wash to see if it helps and if I break out in a rash :)

Thanks everyone for your advice!

[Anidan]

Hi Celeste

I may be a little late on this one, but another reason not use fabric softener on cotton is that it actually deposits silicon on the fibres, coating them so they feel soft. This is why towels that have had fabric softener used on them never absorb the water properly!

You may find that you have what is called 'hard' water. The minerals in it are being left on your keikogi at the end of the wash. Try putting salt in with the washing water to help 'soften' or condition it.

Alternatively use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Just don't use too much of either or you could come out smelling like a fish and chip shop!

[Linda Eskin]

I was going to suggest avoiding fabric softeners because people you train with may be sensitive to the chemicals or fragrances. But if you are... Well, all the more reason to avoid them.

You could try the way I "iron" my cotton clothes: Spray them lightly with water after they are dry, and then shake the dickens out of them.