care for black gi's....

[tarabos]

figured i'd ask this on the kenpo forum...targeting the American Kenpo practitioners in particular since we wear black gi's more than any other art probably.

anyone have any tips or tricks of the trade when it comes to care for them. i've always trashed mine more or less...always washing and drying them relentlessly without any worry about shrinking or fading...

figured it was time to start caring for my gi's a little better. white is easier to maintain i guess but i don't wear white gi's...so i need to keep my black ones looking fresh as long as i can.

EDIT: whoops...kenpo forum indeed...eh, whatever...everyone answer!

[pesilat]

Originally posted by tarabos
figured i'd ask this on the kenpo forum...targeting the American Kenpo practitioners in particular since we wear black gi's more than any other art probably.

anyone have any tips or tricks of the trade when it comes to care for them. i've always trashed mine more or less...always washing and drying them relentlessly without any worry about shrinking or fading...

figured it was time to start caring for my gi's a little better. white is easier to maintain i guess but i don't wear white gi's...so i need to keep my black ones looking fresh as long as i can.

EDIT: whoops...kenpo forum indeed...eh, whatever...everyone answer!

I got this tip recently about dark clothes in general (haven't tried it yet). Every so often (like once a month) wash it with a cup of salt. The salt helps prevent fading.

Mike

[Chronuss]

how do you figure white is easier to maintain? white stains easier and it shows blood. ;) I wore a white gi ONCE and that was at a bb test, and after the jokes about milk and Good Humor ice cream, that was enough and went promptly back into the drawer. I like my black gi...hehe.

[tarabos]

Originally posted by pesilat
I got this tip recently about dark clothes in general (haven't tried it yet). Every so often (like once a month) wash it with a cup of salt. The salt helps prevent fading.

Mike

i'll have to give that a shot...i just have lousy luck with gi's for some reason

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Chronuss
how do you figure white is easier to maintain? white stains easier and it shows blood. ;) I wore a white gi ONCE and that was at a bb test, and after the jokes about milk and Good Humor ice cream, that was enough and went promptly back into the drawer. I like my black gi...hehe.

well with white there's lots of stuff you can do and you can wash it as much as you want pretty much...i'm good at removing sweat and blood stains


and what were you thinking wearing a white gi at a bb test...? :D :rofl:

[RCastillo]

Make sure you turn em inside out. That seems to keep from losing the color!

[Angus]

Want to keep the full depth of color forever? It's REALLY easy.

When you first get your uniform, soak it in vinegared and salted water in a sink/tub, completely submerged, for a couple hours. The entire room should smell vinegary, and you need probably a half cup to whole cup (half for your standard style, up to whole for judo/jujutsu/jiu-jitsu) of salt. After you're done, wash it in cold water (with gentle cycle preferably), and don't put it in the dryer. Let it hang dry, and you're done.

I have a couple black uniforms that I've had for a while that are still pitch black due to this method. Blue, for some reason, is a little more difficult, but black works perfectly like this. It's the dryer that really kills it.

I do this with all my uniforms, even white. They laster longer this way, color and all.

[cali_tkdbruin]

Originally posted by tarabos
well with white there's lots of stuff you can do and you can wash it as much as you want pretty much...i'm good at removing sweat and blood stains


and what were you thinking wearing a white gi at a bb test...? :D :rofl:

I wear a white dobok, and I can tell you that no matter how hard I try, they're very hard to maintain. :mad:

With the continued use, and repeated washings my white doboks get dingy fast. I've even tried using that stuff called "Wite On" I think it is, but, it's hard to get that fresh, clean look back. :(

I'm really looking forward to switching to the all black dobok now that I've advanced to a rank where I'm allowed to wear it at my dojang. And besides, IMO the all black uniforms look a lot cooler... :ultracool

[dearnis.com]

sweats & t-shirts anyone....

Seriously try using cold water and just hang-drying. I have used a Ronin brand black judo/jujitsu top for about 6 years with fairly minimal fading. It is seasoned, but doesn't look like a trashed pair of jeans!

[Jill666]

I've never had a problem with mine- I hadn't even tried the salt or vinegar solutions but you may if you have bad luck.

I simply turn mine inside out (I do that for all dark or red colors) to prevent fading. Cold wash, and low heat for three quarters (hmmmm, about 24 minutes) at the laundromat. That gets the gi partly dry. I'll then hang it up to finish drying.

On a funny note, my training partner's wife washes his gi, and they keep shrinking. (I told him to wash his own damn gi or quit b!tching but that's beside the point). In class a couple of weeks ago, a dryer sheet fell out of his gi. Hilarious- we of course gave him a huge ration of $h!t for it.

[Nightingale]

vinegar/salt both work well to preserve dark colors...

however if they do fade:

get to the grocery store and look over by where they have sewing needles and shoe polish. There's usually a rack of something called RIT, which is clothing dye. Follow the directions on the package for light and medium weight gis, double the recipe for heavyweight ones.

After you dye it in the wash cycle, set your washer to the "soak" setting and add vinegar. When you want to get rid of the vinegar, just set the washer to "rinse" and it'll rinse all the vinegar and all out of the washer. I'd recommend running one more cycle (no soap) just to make sure the liquid dye is all out of the clothing, and then dry as usual.

To keep the colors bright to begin with, use an expensive color safe detergent. The cheaper ones (tide, all, etc...) have a harsher chemical in them that can irritate skin and harm fabric...



To remove blood from any fabric, soak in hydrogen peroxide. The fresher the blood, the more chance you have of removing it completely. Just put the stained part of the fabric into a basin and pour the peroxide over it... when it stops fizzing, its stopped oxydizing, so you need to pour more. Keep pouring until the stain is gone.

[pesilat]

Originally posted by dearnis.com
sweats & t-shirts anyone....

That's all I wear (or shorts). I haven't worn a gi in nearly 10 yers.

Mike

[Chronuss]

Originally posted by tarabos
and what were you thinking wearing a white gi at a bb test...? :D :rofl:

....it was a TKD bb test... :shrug: and THE ONLY time I wore the white gi...it was still starched cause I just took it out the package...bleh. I did NOT like wearing, I did not like standing out. I'm much more comfortable in my black gi.

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Angus
Want to keep the full depth of color forever? It's REALLY easy.

When you first get your uniform, soak it in vinegared and salted water in a sink/tub, completely submerged, for a couple hours. The entire room should smell vinegary, and you need probably a half cup to whole cup (half for your standard style, up to whole for judo/jujutsu/jiu-jitsu) of salt. After you're done, wash it in cold water (with gentle cycle preferably), and don't put it in the dryer. Let it hang dry, and you're done.

I have a couple black uniforms that I've had for a while that are still pitch black due to this method. Blue, for some reason, is a little more difficult, but black works perfectly like this. It's the dryer that really kills it.

I do this with all my uniforms, even white. They laster longer this way, color and all.

vinegar and salt huh? sounds like it would work....i have a new shureido coming in a few days, i might try it with that. i'll have to see if it will prevent any further fading on my tokaido as well. i could care less about my other gis.

do i have your guarantee i won't smell like a salad though?

[tarabos]

btw...how much vinegar do you use?

[Zujitsuka]

Go to www.queenofclean.com to see her recommendations on laundry detergent. It has been my experience that she knows what she's talking about. I've been very pleased with her suggestions.

Peace,

[GouRonin]

Originally posted by Jill666
On a funny note, my training partner's wife washes his gi, and they keep shrinking. (I told him to wash his own damn gi or quit b!tching but that's beside the point).

My wife washed my Judo gi once and at first I was worried. Then I realized that the short sleeve length was so short people couldn't grab it and it was illegal for competition. Now all my Jiu-Jitsu gi's are that short in the arm.

But like Mike said, I don't wear Gi's anymore either except when they serve a physical purpose.

[cali_tkdbruin]

Originally posted by Zujitsuka
Go to www.queenofclean.com to see her recommendations on laundry detergent. It has been my experience that she knows what she's talking about. I've been very pleased with her suggestions.

Peace,

Hey Zujitsuka, that's a pretty good website. I've bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks for the tip... :asian:

[Zujitsuka]

My pleasure cali_tkdbruin.

Peace & blessings,

[lonekimono]

You know this is how i know when my gi needs to be clean
When i go to the dojo and i see my gi standing up all by it's self
thats when i can tell,it's not the smell.
Well any way i put it on and walk though a car wash lol.
Now i know some of you people might think that i'm a nut for saying things like that? now you have to know that i don't really walk though a car wash, it's just some of the stuff that i'm reading
i think that it has to be some kind of a joke.
now the person who wanted to know about this, lol i'm sorry but i'm laughing my butt of while typing this if you are new to the martial arts i could understand, look i have to stop i got this really bad pain in my side.

yours in kenpo:D

[paul hutterer]

i think a worn gi is what you would want. if i see someone with a worn blood stained gi i think of how long and how much hard work it took to get like that. just like if you see someone with a black belt that is allmost white because it is worn and tatered.
anyway, i wouldnt waste my time worring about what shade my gi is , spend that time and energy practicing. the dojo is no place for a fashion show


to get respect, give respect

[Jill666]

Dude- it's not about being fashionable, it's about being clean and keeping your gi serviceable and tidy-looking.

I don't mind if it fades over time, I just don't have the scratch to keep buying new ones. So, stains and tears are not desired. And out of respect for those who work out with me, I do not wear the uniform until it reeks.

As for shrinking, I don't think anyone cares if your sleeves are short (I usually roll mine up anyway) but if it's tight in the shoulders, you can't move well. Okay?

[Johnathan Napalm]

Originally posted by paul hutterer
.... if i see someone with a worn blood stained gi i think of how long and how much hard work it took to get like that.

I would think of a bum too lazy to do his laundry..... Really.. What is he trying to prove?

[Johnathan Napalm]

IS there anyone (besides me) who trains in business attire, casual wear, winter clothe, etc etc?

How often when you "NEED" to fight that you are NOT in one of these, BUT actually in your comfy white/black/colorful "pajamas" :D ?

[tarabos]

Originally posted by paul hutterer
i think a worn gi is what you would want. if i see someone with a worn blood stained gi i think of how long and how much hard work it took to get like that. just like if you see someone with a black belt that is allmost white because it is worn and tatered.
anyway, i wouldnt waste my time worring about what shade my gi is , spend that time and energy practicing. the dojo is no place for a fashion show


to get respect, give respect

thanks for all that helpful input there pal...

i didn't ask for anyone's input on what my gi should look like, just how to get the longest lifespan out of it. i've got enough worn out gi's already, thanks.

and for anyone else that wants to respond to my question with their opinion on wearing gi's...make you own thread about it, because i'm not interested in hearing it.

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
IS there anyone (besides me) who trains in business attire, casual wear, winter clothe, etc etc?

guess you're the only one...:rolleyes:

[Kirk]

Originally posted by nightingale8472
vinegar/salt both work well to preserve dark colors...

however if they do fade:

get to the grocery store and look over by where they have sewing needles and shoe polish. There's usually a rack of something called RIT, which is clothing dye. Follow the directions on the package for light and medium weight gis, double the recipe for heavyweight ones.

After you dye it in the wash cycle, set your washer to the "soak" setting and add vinegar. When you want to get rid of the vinegar, just set the washer to "rinse" and it'll rinse all the vinegar and all out of the washer. I'd recommend running one more cycle (no soap) just to make sure the liquid dye is all out of the clothing, and then dry as usual.

I'd imagine you'd have to take off your patches for this?

[Johnathan Napalm]

Originally posted by tarabos
guess you're the only one...:rolleyes:

guess that is probably one of the reasons why most MA couldn't hack it when it comes to fighting to save their bacon.... ie. unrealistic training....

The first rule of fighting: By deceptions.
The second: You train like you fight. You fight like you train.

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
guess that is probably one of the reasons why most MA couldn't hack it when it comes to fighting to save their bacon.... ie. unrealistic training....

The first rule of fighting: By deceptions.
The second: You train like you fight. You fight like you train.

thanks. now i see the light. you should write a book.

[Johnathan Napalm]

Not saying anything that most experts don't already know....

How many "MA experts" who are all "sound and fury" inside the dojang/dojo (and on internet forum), but piss their pants on the street where the rubber meets the road?

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
Not saying anything that most experts don't already know....

How many "MA experts" who are all "sound and fury" inside the dojang/dojo (and on internet forum), but piss their pants on the street where the rubber meets the road?

:)

[paul hutterer]

Originally posted by tarabos
thanks for all that helpful input there pal...

i didn't ask for anyone's input on what my gi should look like, just how to get the longest lifespan out of it. i've got enough worn out gi's already, thanks.

and for anyone else that wants to respond to my question with their opinion on wearing gi's...make you own thread about it, because i'm not interested in hearing it.

[Bob Hubbard]

Mod. Note.

Please, keep the conversation polite and respectful.

[Master of Blades]

Originally posted by tarabos
thanks. now i see the light. you should write a book.

Your a very funny man

[Master of Blades]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
Not saying anything that most experts don't already know....

How many "MA experts" who are all "sound and fury" inside the dojang/dojo (and on internet forum), but piss their pants on the street where the rubber meets the road?

You tell me because I have yet to meet one.

[GouRonin]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
You train like you fight. You fight like you train.

Since I am never up before noon I will never get in a fight before noon. Hence I do not have to train before noon. If you wake me up before noon then the beating will be 10X worse.


Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
IS there anyone (besides me) who trains in business attire, casual wear, winter clothe, etc etc?

I do.

[jules]

Cold water , NO dryer and that new laundry detergent
for dark clothes, then just hang to dry and of course turned
inside out!;)

[Jill666]

Originally posted by Johnathan Napalm
IS there anyone (besides me) who trains in business attire, casual wear, winter clothe, etc etc?

Yes. I also train in the gi. I train barefoot and shod. If you want tips on washing your dress shirts, I'd also be happy to provide that.;)

[Angus]

Tarabos: No set amount of vinegar, it's really until you can thoroughly smell it. Usually takes anywhere from a cup to 4-5 cups depending on how much water you use (the latter being a lot of water!). I never measure, I just pour. I would say probably 2 cups at least for the average gi. The smell is key; it should be strong!

Although it may seem like a waste of vinegar, you can always soak multiple uniforms one after another (adding extra salt/little vinegar each time) including those old ones to help set even the faded color so as to make better use of the vinegar.

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Angus
Tarabos: No set amount of vinegar, it's really until you can thoroughly smell it. Usually takes anywhere from a cup to 4-5 cups depending on how much water you use (the latter being a lot of water!). I never measure, I just pour. I would say probably 2 cups at least for the average gi. The smell is key; it should be strong!

Although it may seem like a waste of vinegar, you can always soak multiple uniforms one after another (adding extra salt/little vinegar each time) including those old ones to help set even the faded color so as to make better use of the vinegar.

thanks very much...

[Johnathan Napalm]

Originally posted by Master of Blades
You tell me because I have yet to meet one.

Gee . Every MA practitioner in London must be the real McCoy....

[Elfan]

IS there anyone (besides me) who trains in business attire, casual wear, winter clothe, etc etc?

I don't usually train in a uniform. Just a T-shirt and some sort of pants or shorts.

[Hollywood1340]

Much thanks to Nightengale for getting me to shrink it right. See the spiffy new avatar of mine? Not bad eh? The background is my (future) studio done in 3D, the guy in front is me. :)

[Nightingale]

I feel the need to point out that he wanted to shrink it ON PURPOSE. :D

[Infight]

A tip, buy a white gi!
Its wierd train with casual wear! Its the same as walk with a gi down the streets!
Oh my, this freaks!

[pesilat]

Originally posted by Infight
A tip, buy a white gi!
Its wierd train with casual wear! Its the same as walk with a gi down the streets!
Oh my, this freaks!

Umm ... are you saying that it's weird to train in sweats instead of a gi? Can't really understand what you wrote, but that's what I got out of it.

Personally, I prefer training in sweats, t-shirt, and shoes since that's what I wear most of the time anyway regardless.

Mike

[Shinzu]

i dont know how well this works but they have a new type of detergent on the shelf for dark clothes. im not sure who makes it... it might be woolite. give that a try

[tarabos]

Originally posted by Shinzu
i dont know how well this works but they have a new type of detergent on the shelf for dark clothes. im not sure who makes it... it might be woolite. give that a try

actually i'll be switching to purex for all my clothes i think.

cool avatar btw....it's no triumph but nonetheless..:D

[Shinzu]

Thanx..it's hard to find good TMNT shots. I have always been a diehard fan.

[Kroy]

I kind of like my old grey, worked in, soft, stank uniform.

[Hollywood1340]

That is a cool avatar. Didn't I make you one.....:confused: :disgust:

[Shinzu]

i tried to use it but i was a bmp file. i need to use a gif. how do i transfer it to a gif file. i was bumbed 'cause i really like it:(

[Hollywood1340]

I should have sent it as a JPEG as that's what I use onlne. No worries, I'll resend later tonight :)

[Shinzu]

props 2 you my friend...thanx!!