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How do you shrink a gi?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 06, 2026

Tumbling around in the dryer will wear out fabric faster, but it will also make it feel softer. How do I shrink a gi? This is a good use of a dryer. After washing a gi, throw it in your dyer, and the hot air will shrink the cotton.

How much can I shrink a gi?

How much can a gi shrink? In the first six months, a gi will typically shrink 1-2 inches. Over the course of the next year, your BJJ gi will most likely shrink another inch or so.

How do you shrink a gi without a dryer?

Wash the gi in hot water, then let it air dry indoors as you normally would. Without the hot mechanical dryer, the gi will still shrink, but not as much. If you're this close to having your Gi be the perfect size for you, just wash it in warm water and then hang it to dry.

Can you shrink an origin gi?

Origin's Dragon Weave. Gis will shrink. In fact, the jackets of the common weave gis can shrink considerably.

How long do you dry a gi you want to shrink?

If you're not concerned about your gi shrinking, you can dry your gi within 1.5 hours on the warm setting. Keep in mind, repeatedly drying your gi in the tumble dryer does damage the fabric, which may shorten its lifespan. Time (Est.)

32 related questions found

Can you tumble dry gi?

Putting your gi in a tumble dryer will stress out the fabric, and tumble drying at warm temperatures can also shrink your gi and warp the collar. Avoid direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can dry out your gi fabric and reduce its overall durability. To speed up drying, use a fan.

Should you wash gi before first use?

YES! You should wash all clothes before their first use, if possible. Some things like tube socks, are made almost entirely by machine.

How do I soften my BJJ Gi?

Using a fabric conditioner is optional but it can help to keep your GI jacket soft. I personally like to wash mine with softener as it makes the GI a softer and this makes it a bit nicer to train in.

Can you put BJJ gi in dryer?

Tumble drying low is fine, if you want to tighten up the fibers, but avoid leaving it in too long. Finally, unless you want to give your gi to your kid sister, avoid drying on high heat.

Can I wash my gi in hot water?

Always wash your gi in cold water, 90-100 degrees maximum.

If your gi is a little bit too big and you actually want it to shrink a little bit (sleeves), you can wash it at 110-120 degrees, but NEVER over that temperature.

Does ripstop cotton shrink?

Because of the synthetic makeup of the fabric, ripstop tends to shrink less - and sometimes not at all, depending on the cotton-to-polyester ratio of the fabric. As its name suggests, it is also a very durable fabric, highly resistant to tearing.

How do I keep my BJJ Gi White?

How Do I Keep My Jiu Jitsu Gi White?

  1. Baking Soda. Baking soda has good whitening properties. ...
  2. Vinegar. This is one of the ingredients that you can find in any household kitchen. ...
  3. Borax. You can find borax in any supermarket's laundry aisle. ...
  4. Hydrogen Peroxide. ...
  5. Sunlight.

How often should you wash a gi?

Ideally you should wash your Jiu Jitsu Gi after every training session, and you definitely should after every session if you work up a heavy sweat. You can make your Gi last a long time and save money in the process by using the proper cleaning techniques.

Do you wash your BJJ belt?

The belt gets just as dirty as the rest of the uniform; containing all of the bacteria, fungus and mites as your uniform does when worn. You should wash your spats, shorts, rashguard, gi and belt after every session – and your gumshield should be kept clean too! You can reapply your stripes – it's sports tape.

Should I use fabric softener on gi?

You can use fabric softener in moderate doses. Any softener will do as long as it doesn't have bleach in it. 3. DO NOT DRY YOUR GI UNDER THE SUN.

How do you clean a gi with vinegar?

Cleaning Gi's with vinegar and baking soda.

Throw in 1 -1.5 cups of distilled white vinegar, make sure you get your collar, arm pit, crotch areas on your Gi. Then, add a cup of baking soda to the load and a small amount of detergent. (Too much detergent that doesn't get rinsed out is what collects additional funk.)

Do Ronin GIS shrink?

Ronin Plain Double Weave Jiu jitsu Gi - Made in Japan

The jacket is composed of a 890 GSM Poly/cotton material that is pre-shrunk (will still shrink 1-1.5" if you tried to).

How long does a BJJ Gi last?

How long does a gi last? A gi typically lasts for about two years but it depends on a number of factors including the material, use, stitching, and weaves. Gis typically begin to get torn from the sleeves, knees, armpits, and collar. This indicates it's time for a replacement.

How do you whiten an old gi?

Hydrogen Peroxide is an excellent alternative to bleach and can be used successfully to whiten your gi naturally without bleach. Add about a half cup to your wash with regular detergent and your gi will come out as white as ever. Hydrogen Peroxide is also a foolproof way to remove blood from your gi.

Can I bleach my BJJ Gi?

Say no to chlorine-based bleach

Talking about chemicals, this is one to stay away from. Chlorine-based bleach might do a great job of whitening, but it's a harsh chemical. Using it regularly will destroy the fibers of your gi and most likely will decrease its lifespan.

Does ripstop polyester shrink?

Yes, 100% polyester shrinks but in some circumstances because it resists shrinkage by nature. Polyester is resistant to shrinkage but if you wash polyester with hot water or if you iron polyester with excessive heat iron, it can cause shrinkage as it is a man-made fabric that is made with polymer.

Does ripstop nylon shrink?

Nylon is a synthetic material that doesn't shrink easily, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on your too-big nylon clothes. If the nylon is blended with other materials, you can shrink it using a dryer.