How to un-stink a gi?

[StarKodama]

My bf has a gi that he washes after every use. The thing is, it looks and smells clean when it comes out of the washing machine, but as soon as he starts to sweat the gi gets all stinky. :/ Please share your gi-washing wisdom with us!

(I already tried Febreeze, which didn't do much...)

[BudoKid2002]

i dont think it's the gi, try putting yr boyfriend in the washer (just kidding!)
anyways, have u tried putting softener and detergent at the same time?

[jcbel]

I'd try drying the gi under the sun as this is supposed to kill bacteria that causes the smell...

[meguro]

After class I soak the dogi in a basin over night, making sure to scrub the areea under the arms with soap. The next day it goes into the washing machine. Keep the washing machine load light so as to maximize agitation. Use the longest washing cycle. Air dry on a line in the sun.

I never had a stinky dogi problem until arriving in Japan. It must be either the rinky dink washing machines or the high humidity that makes it hard to get rid of the bacteria.

[smoothsake]

Dogi is fine, but my gloves stick bad... I've tried leaving them out in the garage but to no avail. I don't want to put it out in the sun because the leather will surely harden up and crack. Any tips on gloves?

[meguro]

For gloves, a lot of the folks in the dojo wear those cheap, white cotton handy-man gloves as glove liners. You can buy them in bunches at the DIY shops in Japan. I pop those running shoe deodorizing air freshners into the gloves after training and make sure the gloves air out when I get home.

[smoothsake]

Ahhh... I've actually seen my senpai use those cotton handy-man gloves and wondered what that was for. I thought it was to do with rashes or something. Thanks, I'll try that! Plus, will definitely invest in some air freshners. Fu-breeze isn't doing it for me.

[seienchin]

Napi-San, or some other nappy soaking agent is the solution (pardon the pun) for a stinky gi.

The problem is bacteria living in the gi, and not beign killed off when it is cleaned normally. Then when it gets wet, the stinky stuff they make can float off.

Get some nappy soaking solution, and soak the gi for 24 hours in it., then wash normally. It will also make the gi cleaner.

[meguro]

Great idea! But what's in Napi-San? Not bleach I hope.

[seienchin]

No, it is gentler than bleach - has to be to go on babies' bottoms...
In Australia there are several varieties of Napi-San, the most basic is more like a bleach, but I've never had a Gi go white in it, or lose the colour out of my Kanji.
There are varieties for coloured clothes too - I think most countries will have an equivalent type of product.

If you can't get napi-san, Vinegar is a good antibacterial - but you might end up smelling like a fish and chip shop!

[kakatootoshi]

There is a scent remover for washing dogi produced by Kusakura (famous brand of Judogi) named "Herb Fresh".
Kusakura Herb Fresh

OSU!

[Nix]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Dogi is fine, but my gloves stick bad... I've tried leaving them out in the garage but to no avail. I don't want to put it out in the sun because the leather will surely harden up and crack. Any tips on gloves?

Try stuffing the gloves with newspaper-paper after use. The paper will absorb the sweat, at least.

[Spirit]

Wash in White Vinegar
If that does not work then sock it in W/V for 24 hours then wash...

PS no their will be no W/V smell on your gi at all.

In fact you can use W/V in place of fabric softener in washer and anti static in dryer.
No W/V in the dryer, use it as the F/S and it will limit the A/S you get in the drier.
Also the chemicals in F/S and A/S are very harmful to your body (your skin being your larges organ of your body comes in direct contact with them every time you put on your cloths) as well the environment where W/V is not.

So you help yourself with limiting chemicals in your body and saving money as well the earth!!!

[Spirit]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Dogi is fine, but my gloves stick bad... I've tried leaving them out in the garage but to no avail. I don't want to put it out in the sun because the leather will surely harden up and crack. Any tips on gloves?

Corn starch and open the ends up so they can air dry after using

[vapor]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Ahhh... I've actually seen my senpai use those cotton handy-man gloves and wondered what that was for. I thought it was to do with rashes or something. Thanks, I'll try that! Plus, will definitely invest in some air freshners. Fu-breeze isn't doing it for me.

If you need some official cotton handy-man gloves from Japan, I will be there again the first week of Feb....they are super easy to find any almost any store!

vapor

[Red]

Wash the gi and hang dry preferably outdoors, and then when you fold it throw a couple of dryer sheets in. Just remember to remove them before you train! That could be embarassing!

[Davidkyokushinstudent]

Wash it as normal and make sure you hang it outside to dry, always works for me. Nappi San is also effective in eliminating gi stink.

[DKKC]

You think napi-san (or similar) would take the stink out of shinpads as well?

[seienchin]

Originally Posted by DKKC

You think napi-san (or similar) would take the stink out of shinpads as well?

yes - have used it for this and it does work.

[StarKodama]

I've never heard of Napi-san... would you happen to know if there's a product similar to it in Japan or the States?