Quick answer: Wash your gi the same day you train, use enough detergent, skip fabric softener, and dry it completely. If the smell is already stuck, soak it in diluted white vinegar or oxygen bleach, then rewash. In Calgary winter, slow indoor drying is the biggest cause of musty gis.
How to wash a BJJ gi (Calgary winter version)
- Air it out immediately after class (open the bag; hang it).
- Turn inside out and wash same day on cold/cool, gentle cycle.
- Use normal detergent (no softener).
- Spin on high, then hang with airflow (fan or dehumidifier).
- If any odour remains, rewash or soak (vinegar or oxygen bleach), then dry fully.
If you only do one thing
Wash your gi the same day and make drying fast. In winter, most “stinky gi” problems are really “slow drying” problems.
Why a gi starts to smell (especially in winter)
A gi is thick cotton. After class it is full of sweat, skin oils, and whatever was on the mats that day. If it sits damp in a bag, odour problems get worse fast.
In Calgary winter, the problem is not the cold. It is what people do because it is cold: you finish class, throw the gi in a sealed bag, drive home, and it sits in the trunk or by the door while you deal with life. Then you try to air-dry it indoors where it can take forever to fully dry. That slow-dry combo is where the stink gets “locked in.”
See general hygiene guidance on laundering athletic gear.
How do I wash a BJJ gi so it doesn’t smell?
Step 1: Right after class (2 minutes)
- Do not leave it balled up. Open the bag and let it air out as soon as you can.
- If you cannot wash it that day, at least hang it up to dry (even if you wash tomorrow). A dry gi smells less than a damp gi.
Step 2: Wash the same day (set-and-forget)
- Turn the gi inside out.
- Wash with cold or cool water (less shrink risk).
- Use the right amount of detergent (too little does not clean; too much can leave buildup that traps odour).
- Skip fabric softener. It can leave residue that makes “lingering smell” worse over time.
Step 3: Dry it like you mean it
- Dry it completely. If it comes off the rack even slightly damp, it can go musty.
- If you use a dryer, follow the gi brand’s care guidance. Many brands recommend cold wash + hang dry to minimize shrinkage.
Calgary winter drying hacks (that actually work)
Indoor air-drying is the make-or-break step in winter.
- Use airflow, not just time. Put a fan on it.
- Use a dehumidifier if you are drying in a basement.
- Hang it with space. Do not fold it over a tiny hanger bar. Spread it out (thick cotton needs air).
- Do not dry it in a cold garage. It can stay damp for ages.
- If it takes forever to dry indoors, a short, low-heat dryer finish can help, but only if the gi is already clean and the odour is gone. Thick cotton that takes too long to air-dry can get musty.
Over 40 and wondering if BJJ is for you? Check out our guide for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu After 40.
If your gi already smells, do this (deep clean protocol)
If your gi smells clean out of the washer, do not toss it in the dryer “hoping it will fix it.” Heat can make lingering odour harder to remove. Rewash first.
Option A: Vinegar soak (easy and cheap)
A vinegar soak can help break down stubborn odours and buildup.
- Soak: 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts cold water for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Then wash normally with detergent.
Important: Never mix vinegar with bleach.
Option B: Oxygen bleach soak (for “nothing else works” smell)
Oxygen bleach (like OxiClean types) is a solid next step for stubborn odour and dingy whites. Soaking improves results.
- Follow the label, but as a general rule, soak at least 1 hour.
- Then wash normally.
Option C: If it is a smoke smell problem
Smoke odour can cling to fabric. Start with the vinegar soak above, then wash. Also fix the source:
- Store the clean gi away from smoke between classes.
- Bring it to the gym in a sealed bag and change at the gym.
- Do not leave it hanging in a room where it will absorb smoke again.
The 7 most common gi-washing mistakes
- Leaving it damp in the bag overnight
- Using fabric softener (residue traps odour)
- Overloading the washer (your gi never gets fully rinsed)
- Not using enough detergent
- Drying it too slowly indoors (hello musty smell)
- Drying a gi that still smells instead of rewashing
- Trying to “cover” odour with scent beads instead of removing the cause (you just end up with perfumed stink)
## If your washer is the problem
If your gi still smells after washing, your machine may have detergent buildup or a musty drum. Run a hot empty cycle with washing machine cleaner (or a vinegar rinse cycle if your machine allows it), then rewash the gi with an extra rinse.
FAQ
Yes. In a close-contact sport, a clean gi is part of basic training etiquette.
Yes. Cold or cool water is safer for shrink control, and many gi brands recommend it. If you are dealing with stubborn odour, use a soak method first and then wash normally.
Maybe, but check the care label and expect shrink risk with heat. Many brands recommend cold wash and hang dry to minimize shrinkage.
It is almost always one of these: the gi sat damp too long, the washer is leaving residue, or the gi never fully dries. The fix is faster washing, better rinsing, and complete drying.
Only when needed. If your normal routine is solid, you should not need it often. If smell keeps coming back, it is usually a process problem (timing, residue, drying), not a “stronger chemical” problem.
Yes. Wash it like your gi. A clean belt is part of good etiquette.
No. Never mix vinegar with any bleach. Use one method at a time.
Any regular detergent is fine. Avoid softeners. If buildup is a problem, try a “free & clear” detergent and add an extra rinse.
Two. Rotating gis makes same-day washing and full drying easy in winter.
Hang dry is safest for shrink. If you must, tumble low at the very end to finish a mostly-dry gi.
Yes, but it’s better to wash it alone. If you mix loads, wash with similar colours and heavy items (like towels), skip fabric softener, and run an extra rinse.
Rewash right away. If it still smells, soak in oxygen bleach (per the directions) and rewash. If it’s stubborn, do a short diluted vinegar soak, then rewash and dry it fast.
Yes. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to the drum and wash normally, then do an extra rinse. Don’t use baking soda and vinegar in the same wash.
Usually no. Normal washing plus full drying is enough. Disinfect if you have a skin infection concern or trained with broken skin, using a laundry disinfectant product as directed.
Run a hot empty cycle with washing machine cleaner, wipe the gasket, and clean the detergent drawer. Leave the door open after washes so the drum dries.
A simple “SBG Calgary” standard
If you train in a shared space, your gear matters. A clean gi keeps training partners comfortable, keeps the room pleasant, and keeps you from becoming “that person” without realizing it.
If you are new and you are not sure what products to use, ask one of our coaches after class. We would rather help you solve it quickly than have you stress about it. Just booked your first class? Check out this detailed post to find out what to expect in your first class.