To wash or not to wash?

[dtstiachi]

My Headmaster at my school was telling us about washing our uniforms one day when he told us that sometimes it is better NOT to wash your uniform and to let the sweat, blood, tears, etc. build up over the years and that that will make your uniform "special" I wash mine twice a month. Has anyone experienced this "not washing uniform" to get " a real feel" for the martial arts. Does all of that "energy" as he would say or "spirit of the uniform" really make up for the smell that would come after many years of training? Thank you for your answer to this mostly curious question.

[Jussi Häkkinen]

To wash. Without washing you only get a "real feel" of really special skin diseases.

 

Same thing as with washing a belt. If it's dirty, wash it. Uniform gets dirty easily => wash it after every training where you have sweated.

 

Just unbelievable...what is this filth-addiction that those legends do feed...?

[Shorin Ryuu]

Are you sure your instructor wasn't pulling your leg?

[Pacificshore]

Nothing worse than a smelly partner, let alone if your contributing because of not washing your uniform

[Grenadier]

Wash the uniform.

 

Your body's sweat and oils that are secreted, tend to have unwanted consequences, if allowed to remain on the cloth. Various bacteria and other microbes, thrive on such substrates, and can do more damage to your gi than years of wear and tear.

 

Using a rancid uniform creates a distraction when training with others. While a martial artist should be able to block out such distractions, the wearer of the stench ridden uniform isn't doing anyone any favors.

 

A dirty uniform can also wreak havoc on your skin. Rashes, infections, etc., are all possible. It gets even worse if the skin breaks. Furthermore, you could also be transmitting some nasty microbes to your partners as well.

 

If you sweat a good deal, then by all means, wash your gi no less frequently than once every two sessions. If you can, wash it in a gentle warm water cycle after each session.

 

If you're someone who doesn't sweat much, then perhaps you can get away with a less frequent washing schedule, but even then, you're still suscpetible to the above.

 

With no disrespect to your Sensei / Shihan, I am simply going to say that he's somewhat mistaken on this matter! The real spirit and energy of the martial arts comes from the greatest source of power: You. Not some cotton uniform.

[swdw]

Don't wash your obi- tradition is it washes all the knowledge out

[strangepair03]

I was always told by my sensei, have more than one gi...wash the one you trained in as soon as possible..even if you sweat lightly(which I don't) and have the other one/ones ready for the next class.

 

I would not like to workout with pigpen from peanuts in the dojo

[dtstiachi]

Unfortunately he was serious. Oh Well, I'm still washing mine every week.

[June1]

I wash my uniform once a week (I have to, with the way I sweat!), but not my belt. I don't because of the tradition that the early karatekas practiced of not doing so.

[karatekid1975]

EEEKKKK I sweat bad. I have to wash my uniforms (I have two for the purpose of what strangepair03 described) after every training session. Of course I shower before class, but I will NOT put a sweaty uniform back on for the next class .... no way.