Kimonos for judo or karate are traditional martial arts clothing. A kimono for each type of martial arts has its own characteristics, however, there are common signs - first of all, it is a heavy load that clothes have to withstand during training - hundreds of different movements, blows, falls. Clothes curl, stretch, get wet, dry - and so several times a week. What can you do to make your kimono serve you for a long time?

Most often, natural cotton is used for sewing a kimono - this material is durable, but at the same time lightweight and breathes well. But cotton requires a special approach. For example, when washing, it should be borne in mind that in hot water, cotton fabric shrinks - the average percentage of shrinkage of cotton fabric is 3-8%. Therefore, it is recommended to wash your kimono only in cold water.

In order for the kimono to retain its neat look longer, you should not wash it very often: machine wash is allowed no more than two or three times a month. After training, it is enough to rinse the kimono in cold water with the addition of a small amount of vinegar (to remove foreign odors) and dry thoroughly.

Requires hand wash. White cotton belts require periodic bleaching, and colored belts are washed with colored powders. If stains are present, we recommend using chlorine-free cleaning agents.

Judo kimono should not be dried in a tumble dryer or on a battery - this leads to deformation of the fabric. It is best to hang your washed kimono on a hanger, straightening all the folds. When drying in the fresh air, avoid direct sunlight, which can turn the fabric yellow.

How to wash a kimono in a washing machine?

1. When machine washable, the kimono must be turned inside out.
2. Mode - washing cotton, temperature not higher than 30 degrees, medium spin power.

That's all!

Taking proper care of your workout clothing is very important, don't neglect it! After all, a sports uniform is, in a sense, the face of an athlete.

Kimono is a comfortable and practical suit for training in martial arts. This clothing is excellent for air permeability, absorbs moisture well and does not hinder the movement of the exerciser. It is worth noting that washing a kimono does not cause big problems, but still few know how to wash a kimono so that it does not deteriorate and does not lose its original appearance. There are several guidelines on how to wash your kimono, and this guide will guide you through the most important ones. So how to wash your kimono quickly and easily?

Rules for the correct washing of a kimono

In most cases, the kimono is made from cotton fabric - it is known that after washing this material often shrinks in the amount of 3-5%. This feature is characterized by the nature of the material, and nothing can be done about it. However, you can wash your kimono so that it shrinks to a minimum. Factors such as the type of fabric (100% cotton shrinks best), the presence or absence of anti-shrink treatment of the material, and the temperature and mode of washing the clothes affect the degree of shrinkage after washing a kimono.

Before washing your judo kimono, you must set the correct water temperature. Most of the manufacturers of these clothes do not recommend exceeding the threshold of 30 degrees. Of course, the temperature can be increased up to 90 degrees, however, as the washing temperature rises, the percentage of shrinkage increases significantly. This property can be used to the advantage - if the purchased kimono is noticeably larger than the required size, you can wash it at high temperatures so that the material shrinks (this is the answer to a common question about how to wash a kimono so that it shrinks). But 30 degrees is the standard always recommended.

Not sure how to wash your judo kimono? Everything is quite simple here - follow the instructions:

• Turn the kimono inside out, then gently roll it up and place it in the drum.
• Add a quality cotton detergent to the powder compartment.
• Set the water temperature at around 30 degrees, set the mode for washing cotton products.
• Start the washing process and wait until it finishes, then remove the kimono from the drum.

People who are interested in how to wash a kimono so that it does not shrink also wonder how often clothes need to be washed. Of course, for hygiene reasons, it is recommended to wash your kimono as often as possible, but it is not necessary to do this after every workout. To prevent clothes from shrinking and losing their appearance ahead of time, it is better to wash your kimono once or twice a week. In any case, the frequency of washing should not be less than once every 2-3 weeks, otherwise dirt will accumulate.

How to properly dry a kimono?

We figured out how to properly wash a judo kimono, but how should you dry it? Everything is very simple here - after the end of washing, remove the clothes from the drum of the washing machine, straighten and hang the items of the suit on a hanger in an upright position. There are several recommendations for drying:

• In order for the kimono to dry itself as soon as possible, it is best to place it outdoors (balcony).
• Do not hang suit items near heaters or open flames.
• Spread out the kimono periodically as it dries so that it does not wrinkle.

In Japanese, it is used in the sense of clothing as such. A training dress for practicing oriental martial arts is called keiko-gi (keiko - training, gi - clothing). Clothing for various types of martial arts has its own fundamental characteristics and differences. To emphasize what kind of martial arts clothing we are talking about, instead of the word keiko, the name of martial arts is used. Therefore, the judoka will try on, the karate will buy, and the aikido lover will order aikido-gi, and so on by analogy.

However, no matter what features the uniform of a particular type of martial arts has, a common feature is always a huge load that falls on these clothes during training. Hundreds of sudden movements, blows, throws, falls. The kimono curls, stretches, gets wet, dries - and so on several lessons a week.

Moreover, in addition to wear and tear when practicing techniques and grips on or, the kimono continues to be exposed to stress at home - during washing, drying, bleaching, ironing, and so on. Some mercilessly wash and bleach judo-gi, believing that thick and heavy cotton fabric does not care. Someone removes heavy dirt from the finest silk fabric at home, neglecting the services of dry cleaners, and thereby risking irrevocably ruining an expensive kimono.

Proper care can significantly increase the lifespan of the keiko-gi and keep the shape neat and fresh for a long time.

First of all, you should study the composition and type of fabric. Kimonos are made from cotton fabric. Shrinkage is a natural feature of this material. As a rule, after washing, cotton shrinks about 3-5%, but it is better to find out how the fabric behaves after washing from the seller. The main factors influencing this process are: washing temperature, composition (100% cotton) and anti-shrink treatment during production.

Regardless of the composition and processing of the fabric, as a rule, manufacturers recommend wash keiko-gi at a temperature of 30%. At this temperature, the processed fabric will not shrink, and not processed will give minimal shrinkage. Accordingly, the higher the washing temperature, the more your form will "shrink". It should be borne in mind that high washing temperatures cause intensive aging of the fabric, thereby shortening the life of the kimono.

No matter how negatively frequent washing affects the fabric, from the point of view of personal hygiene, it is recommended to wash the kimono as often as possible. However, the frequency of washing is an individual indicator, and depends on the number of workouts, on individual sweating and, in general, on the degree of soiling of the uniform.

In most cases, it is not necessary to wash your kimono after every workout. It is enough to rinse it thoroughly in cold water. This can significantly reduce the number of machine washings.

Some athletes prefer to wear cotton jerseys or compression shirts under a kimono. These clothes absorb sweat, maintain muscle temperature, and most importantly, these shirts can be washed as often as you like.

Expensive keiko-gi models designed for performance or competition are usually made from pre-bleached fabric, so they do not need this procedure. However, cheaper models intended for beginners acquire a grayish or yellowish tint over time. In this case, without whitening not enough.

This chemical process, the principle of which is to add special substances to the water that increase the alkalinity of the washing solution, destroys the fats contained in the dirt. It is believed that such additives do not harm the fabric, since the cellulose that makes up the cotton fibers is resistant to alkali. However, it is recommended to use bleach only in exceptional cases when you need to freshen up your kimono or get rid of stubborn dirt. Do not use bleach containing chlorine, as this can weaken the fabric.

After washing, shake the kimono, straighten large folds with your hands.Dry the kimono follows naturally on a horizontal surface. In winter, it is preferable to hang the form in the freezing air. It is not recommended to dry the kimono on a battery, in a dryer or in any other unnatural way - this also destroys the fibers of the fabric.

Iron only smooth and thin keiko-gi make sense. Heavy woven kimonos do not need ironing, especially if they have been properly washed and

The kimono is a traditional practical clothing for practicing martial arts. The fabric of the Japanese kimono is durable and reliable, so caring for it does not cause much trouble. How to wash a kimono for judo, karate and other martial arts, so that it lasts a long time and does not lose its original appearance, you will learn in this article.

Features of washing kimono

For judo and other martial arts kimonos, cotton is commonly used. This material is highly breathable, durable and very lightweight. Cotton also has a significant drawback - when washing in very hot water, the fibers of the fabric are threatened with shrinkage of up to 10%. If the suit is made of natural cotton, this factor cannot be ignored. The following factors affect the percentage of shrinkage:

• material density;
• mode and set temperature of water during washing;
• the presence or absence of additional impregnation of the fabric.

On the label, product manufacturers usually indicate the optimal washing temperature at which natural shrinkage of the material is excluded. At the recommended washing temperature, your judo and all sports training apparel will last longer.

If the uniform is washed in hot water, the percentage of cotton wear and shrinkage will be higher. This fact can be useful if you want the kimono to shrink a little, as it turns out to be slightly larger than the required size. The shrinkage of the judo kimono will vary in width and length, depending on the position of the threads of the fabric.

A white kimono for karate or judo at home can be washed frequently if needed. However, it is not recommended to automatically wash the suit after each session. You can just rinse the product thoroughly in cool water and dry it. This method will allow you to send your kimono to the washing machine 2-3 times a month.

If you can wear a white cotton jersey under your sportswear, you can use it to help your underwear absorb most of the sweat during your workout. The shirt should be washed in the hottest water possible after each workout.

How to remove stains and eliminate unpleasant odors

A sports kimono for judo or karate will be white for a long time if it is made of quality fabric. A cheap suit will quickly lose its appearance, the material will turn gray or yellow, even if it is washed correctly. To bleach cotton at home, you can use special substances that will increase the alkalinity of the detergent. This will break down the grease, which is the cause of dirt, which gives the fabric an undesirable hue.

If the judo kimono is bleached correctly, the quality of the material will not suffer. You just need to choose products that do not contain chlorine, since this substance destroys tissue fibers.

In addition, the kimono easily absorbs unpleasant odors. To return the product to its former freshness, after the lesson it can be dried as quickly as possible. After each workout, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse your clothes in cool water and air dry. To make sure the smell disappears, you can add vinegar to the water (no more than two tablespoons) before rinsing.

For training, a black casual kimono and a white one intended for demonstration competitions are often used. Some schools use a suit of different colors depending on the skill level of the trainee.

Sleeves, collar and underarms are poorly washed in the machine. Problem areas can be first washed with stain remover, laundry soap, bleach or any other detergent. After a while after processing, wash clothes in a typewriter.

How to properly wash and dry your judo kimono

Washing your judo or karate kimono at home is very easy if you follow the instructions:

• Preliminary preparation is an important step in washing your uniform. You need to turn the clothes inside out, straighten all the wrinkles and straighten the fabric. Do not wash a kimono with a belt, as it will certainly shed.
• Roll up the suit carefully and place it in the drum of the washing machine.
• Set the mode for cottons with a water temperature of 30 ° C.
• Now you can start washing and wait until it ends, and then remove the dish from the drum.

It takes at least an hour and a half to wash a kimono at home to remove all dirt from dense cotton threads with a pile. With a short wash cycle, only part of the dirt will be removed only from the surface of the product, but they will remain inside.

A kimono belt can be hand washed at home. Dirt and stains are better visible on the white belt. It is better to bleach a kimono belt together with other elements of the costume so that they become the same color. A belt of a dark shade should be washed with powder for colored items, and stains should be removed using products that do not contain chlorine.

After washing, you can starch the suit if you wish. Add starch, previously diluted in water to a jelly consistency, into a container with warm water. It is important not to overdo it with starch, otherwise the fabric of the kimono will become tough, and it will be very difficult to smooth it.

A kimono for judo or karate should not be dried in a typewriter and the product should also be wrung out at medium power, otherwise it will be difficult to get rid of the folds later. After washing, remove the clothes from the machine, hang them on a hanger and smooth out any large folds. Drying your judo kimono preferably outdoors.

It is highly undesirable for the suit to dry on a battery. The kimono for judo is made of thick cotton, so it dries for a long time, which should be taken into account. You can iron products with a smooth texture, and wicker clothes, wicker clothes, you just need to carefully straighten them with your hands.

If your judo kimono has been washed and dried correctly, it will not be wrinkled. If the suit is fixed in one position during drying, as it was not correctly straightened after washing, wet it again and wait until the fabric is completely dry.

Care of sportswear intended for martial arts consists of washing, drying and ironing. Before washing a kimono, you need to evaluate its quality and texture. Usually specialized clothing for aikido, karate and judo is made of 100% cotton. For this reason, even the most careful approach leads to the fact that the fabric shrinks by 3-5% over time.

In addition, the final cleaning result is influenced by such factors as the water temperature during washing, the quality of the material processing (sometimes special manipulations are carried out to reduce the risk of shrinkage), the presence of impurities in the cotton fiber.

Highlights when washing a kimono

Despite the fact that ultimately the quality of the kimono for aikido, judo and karate depends on the approach taken by the manufacturer, the rules for washing a product in a washing machine are the same in all cases:

1. First, we read the label with recommendations for the care of the kimono. If the garment is made of pure cotton, then most likely the manufacturer will recommend washing at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C. If higher temperatures are allowed, it is likely that synthetics have been added to the fibers.
2. The tendency of cotton kimonos to shrink can be used to fit a large garment to its size. The higher the temperature of the wash water, the greater the shrinkage. Cotton can withstand processing even at 90 ° C. The more procedures, the stronger the shrinkage of the fabric.
3. It should be borne in mind that the material for a kimono does not shrink in all directions in the same way, the end result depends on the type of thread arrangement. For example, jackets for aikido, karate and judo shrink more in width than in length.
4. A kimono belt can be washed with the main garment only if it is the same color. In this case, it should be placed in a net or pillowcase.

Although the high temperature allows the kimono to be adjusted to fit and helps kill germs, this approach should not be abused. Hot water accelerates the breakdown of cotton fibers, which leads to rapid deterioration of the fabric.

Frequency of washing martial arts kimonos

The kimono should be washed as often as necessary. This parameter is different in each case and depends on the intensity, duration of classes, the selected schedule, and the individual characteristics of the organism. Experts recommend paying attention to the following points in this regard:

• It is not necessary to machine wash your kimono after every workout. Sometimes it is enough to rinse the product in cold water immediately after training and dry it. This will allow you to send the item to the machine no more than once every 2-3 weeks.

Tip: In some areas, it is not forbidden to wear a thin white T-shirt made of natural fabric under a kimono. If there is such an opportunity, you need to use it, because the product will absorb a significant amount of sweat. The kimono does not have to be washed as often, and it will not be covered with yellow spots on the inside.

• If some underwear is worn under the kimono, then it should be washed at the maximum temperature after each use. If the machine is not able to heat the water up to 90 ° C, then it is better to boil the fabric in the traditional way.
• Before exercising, thoroughly wipe down the surface at the training site. This will again reduce the number of aggressive washings.

In general, even before purchasing a kimono, it is necessary to assess the intensity with which it will be used. Perhaps a one-time expensive purchase will be more profitable than the need to regularly purchase new models.

Methods for removing stains and eliminating unpleasant odors

Athletes who initially purchase expensive kimono options enjoy the whiteness of their equipment for a long time. Cheaper models after some time acquire a grayish or yellowish tint, even if they are cared for according to all the rules. It's just that in the first case, the fabric is initially bleached, and in the second you have to do it yourself. If you find stubborn stains that cannot even be whitened, you need to contact a dry cleaner.

The process of bleaching cotton involves the use of special substances that increase the alkalinity of the washing composition. This leads to the destruction of fats, which are the cause of specific impurities that give the fabric an unnecessary shade. Cellulose, which is the basis of cotton, is not very susceptible to this effect, so proper bleaching will not negatively affect the condition of the material. Here you just need to choose products that do not contain chlorine. This element is able to weaken the fibers of the fabric.

In addition to stains, kimono is often a source of unpleasant odors. This will not happen if you keep the following points in mind:

• After the training session, the kimono should be dried as soon as possible; it should not be left in the bag.
• If possible, after each session, it is recommended to rinse the product in cold water and dry it in the fresh air.
• If the smell does appear, then about two tablespoons of vinegar should be added to cold water before rinsing.
• When washing things in a typewriter, use fragranced powders, softeners and fragranced conditioners.
• During the winter months, kimonos can be hung out regularly in the cold.

If the product does not shrink when washed in hot water, then it is better to process it at a temperature of about 65 ° C. This will kill most of the odor-causing bacteria.

Drying and ironing your kimono properly

A thick cotton product should not be dried in the washing machine, it is better to refuse even a strong spin, otherwise it will be very difficult to straighten the folds. After removing the kimono from the machine, you need to shake it, hang it on a hanger, straighten all large folds. Drying should be done outdoors. It is highly discouraged to use a battery, dryer or hair dryer. Given the density of the fabric, the kimono dries for a rather long time, this must be taken into account and stocked up with a second set.

The wicker kimono is not ironed, only those products that have a smooth texture are ironed. If the drying of the product was carried out according to all the rules, then there should be no folds on it. In cases where the hall was not initially straightened and dried, fixing in one position, it is better to wet it again, straighten it and wait until the material dries.