Are you supposed to wash your karate belt?
- Thread starter AHC9882
- Start date
Flying Crane
Sr. Grandmaster
Some schools have traditions where you are not supposed to. Find out what is protocal in your school. Personally, if it is soiled/sweaty/smelly, I say wash the thing.
Jimi
Black Belt
Traditionaly in the arts that give Black Belt rank (BB rank is not a 1000 year old traditon itself) teach that washing the belt will wash away the good luck.
Some may feel if it is overly soiled with salty sweat stains, dust & dirt from mats, etc... that you should wash it. If your Instructor does not wish you to wash it, I say obey him/her. If it is not an issue and you want to see it clean, wash it. Washing prob. won't hurt the belt especialy a white one. Do not wash a color belt with you uniform! I note this only because years ago a family (father,son&daughter) who trained together were nicknamed the yellow belt family. I will let you guess why.
Some may feel if it is overly soiled with salty sweat stains, dust & dirt from mats, etc... that you should wash it. If your Instructor does not wish you to wash it, I say obey him/her. If it is not an issue and you want to see it clean, wash it. Washing prob. won't hurt the belt especialy a white one. Do not wash a color belt with you uniform! I note this only because years ago a family (father,son&daughter) who trained together were nicknamed the yellow belt family. I will let you guess why.
Shaolinwind
2nd Black Belt
AHC9882 said:
Eh, why not. Though I'm pretty firm about never, ever washing it unless for some reason it got katsup on it.
pstarr
Master Black Belt
The old tradition is that if you wash your belt, you also wash out the strength you've developed. So, no, don't wash it...
An old, frayed belt is a mark of distinction-
An old, frayed belt is a mark of distinction-
Shaolinwind
2nd Black Belt
pstarr said:
I feel ya. One of the stories I heard is that in ancient times people would get a white belt when they started, and by the time they were really skilled, it would be blackened with sweat, dirt, blood and whatnot, which is where the concept of black belt came from. I cannot fully confirm this is true but it sure is a cool story.
It's myth, and very unhygenic. Wash the belt when it needs it 
pstarr
Master Black Belt
The story is probably myth - but if you ever train in Japan or Okinawa, you sure don't want your sensei to find out that you washed your belt...
Shaolinwind
2nd Black Belt
Andrew Green said:It's myth, and very unhygenic. Wash the belt when it needs it
Who cares! I want my belt offensively stinky gosh darnit. Great for sparring!
As much sweat, tears and dirt as I've seen put into belts, I have YET to encounter a smelly one.
If your dojo has the tradition of not laundering your belt, follow the tradition of your master ... unless, that is, you develop ringworm around your waist - which you won't if you air out your belt. Take it OUT of your bag and drape it over the back of a chair loosely or hang it up on a hanger out where it can dry and air ... after every workout.
If your master says you can wash it, then wash it.
If your dojo has the tradition of not laundering your belt, follow the tradition of your master ... unless, that is, you develop ringworm around your waist - which you won't if you air out your belt. Take it OUT of your bag and drape it over the back of a chair loosely or hang it up on a hanger out where it can dry and air ... after every workout.
If your master says you can wash it, then wash it.
Shaolinwind
2nd Black Belt
shesulsa said:
New meaning to ring around the collar.
Only real danger of washing a belt is color seepage. Dunno how a sensei would find out that you'd "betrayed" the great unwashed movement otherwise.AHC9882 said:
(That said, I've never had a belt that was smelly or really, visibly dirty where cleaning would be needed.)pstarr
Master Black Belt
Yeah, I can't imagine what you'd do with your belt to make it really smelly and scummy.
Well...yes, I can. But I won't post it here...:lol:
Well...yes, I can. But I won't post it here...:lol:
TimoS
Master of Arts
Shaolinwind said:
Trust me, it is a myth! I can't right now find any good source for it, but it most certainly is a myth
And yes, you really are supposed to wash your belt every once in a while
Cirdan
Senior Master
I would rather get a new belt than wash it. It would feel like killing an old friend. Let it air after training. If you somehow manage to get ketchup or whatever on it, clean the spot gently. My old white belt is actually my favourite since it is the only one I have used in three different arts.
pstarr
Master Black Belt
Well, maybe the current generation of karateka wash their belts but a few decades ago it was never done. I know. I was there.
The idea that traditional martial art teaches you NOT to wash your belt is a MYTH. In Japanese, Korean and Chinese culture, dirty = BAD. This myth started in the 60s and 70s in America. Overseas they wash their belts all the time, and so should you. The belt is a piece of cloth not a magical item. The belt means nothing, you make it mean something and without it you are still a good martial artist. Kill these myths.
ron
ron
MSUTKD said:
Dirt, like truth, is all about perspective.
You don't get ketchup on your obi/belt because you NEVER eat in your uniform.
You don't get mud, dirt or grass on your obi because you're not supposed to wear your belt outside for training.
If you go to class clean and well-groomed, and all your classmates to go class clean and well-groomed and the dojo/dojang is kept clean and well-groomed, then you should not have massive transitions of dirt, grime, germs, fungi, etcetera.
Some of us forget that a custom which seems vile to us in the west could most likely have been received as incomplete.
Use common sense and follow the tradition of your dojo.
:asian:
