Best practices for keeping you uniform up.

[cathal]

Gi, dobak, etc.

What have you learned are the best ways to keep your uniform so it lasts as long as possible in the best shape possible.

[sensei8]

I believe that any method will vary because most gi's are put through the ringer, and then some!!

What's worked for me:

*Wash/Dry the gi just as soon as I got home.

*Hung the gi up. Not fold/roll it up!!

***Proper selections of the washer and driers temperatures made a world of differences!! Gentle washing cycle and the like; same with the drier!! I've also found that my gi lasted longer if I hung it out to dry instead of machine driers.

*I rarely ironed my gi because if I error one way or another, then I might have a gi that's been burned/scorched by the iron; and again, temperatures mean everything.

*I found that my gi would last long if I took care of it. This includes, reading the tag; the tag contains proper way of washing/drying.

Take care of your uniform, it'll take care of you!!

[Karate_John]

I wash my GI by itself on a normal spin cycle and cold water as soon as I got home, then hang dry it. I keep my Gis hanging in my closet when they are dry. and only iron for special occasions when it needs to be crisp.

But IMO, a gentle washing cycle, hang dry, storing it hanging, and avoiding an iron is about the best your going to get. Normal wear and tear will creep no matter how much we care for them.

[Wastelander]

For whatever reason, my washing machine eats dogi on any cycle. It's very strange. One thing I can recommend is to keep bleach away from your gi! I had always used hydrogen peroxide to treat blood stains, but one time I was out and tried using bleach. Bleach weakens natural fibers, so that was the next spot my washing machine decided to destroy. Now I have a hole in my gi.

[Lupin1]

So far I've gone the route of buying relatively inexpensive gis (around $50) every 2-3 years rather than getting an expensive one and trying to make it last. I find it's just too hard to keep the white white much longer than that. I had one that was practically orange with hard water stains, one that got kinda grayish, and I'm about due for another one soon as the one I'm currently using has a big pine sap stain right above my belt that won't go away despite about a year and half of washings.

If I know I'm gonna get a new one in two years or so, I can be a little rougher with it (for example, I do bleach mine every so often to keep it white, even though I know it weakens the fabric).

I'm kinda holding out til black belt now, though. Then I can get a nice black gi and be done with it.

[DWx]

I'm all ears when it comes to tips for keeping dobok looking new. I go through so many! Honestly why does white have to be the traditional colour just shows up the dirt more!!!

As gross as it sounds I sweat a heck of a lot and this is my biggest problem with my dobok. They tend to go an off white or dirty white after a while. To minimise damage I try to wash it as soon as I get home, or baring that, soak it in cold water until I am ready to wash it. Then I wash with plenty of soap and a stain remover / optical brightener. When it does get a bit dirty looking, white vinegar or peroxide are good alternatives to bleach.

[vaporman]

''Honestly why does white have to be the traditional color just shows up the dirt more!!!'''

This. Why?

[Lupin1]

''Honestly why does white have to be the traditional color just shows up the dirt more!!!'''

This. Why?

If I ever start my own school, black pants will be standard at least for middle school and up. I can only imagine how many teenage girls skip out on class or even end up quitting because they're embarrassed to wear white pants at certain times.

[sensei8]

''Honestly why does white have to be the traditional color just shows up the dirt more!!!'''

This. Why?

It doesn't have to be, but, it is. I believe that white will remain that for quite a long time to come because it is "traditional" to do so. It's easier to go a long with what's normal, than to buck against traditions.

Having said that, if it's your school, then do whatever you want to do!! Sure, a governing body MIGHT say something about it, but, most governing bodies stay out of school business.

[armanox]

Cold water wash, hang dry (drier on lowest heat setting if I have to). Occasionally iron and starch. Hang in closet.