CheekyMusician Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 My belt also shrunk when I washed it. It shrunk so much I could hardly tie a knot in it anymore! Traditionally, the belt isn't supposed to be washed. Even if it gets stains from training, like blood, it's not supposed to be washed. I don't know anyone who washes the belt. I know that some people think that way, but personally I think its a little bit gross to not wash a belt. After all, sweat and bacteria will just accumulate on it, not to mention the fact that it was my white belt and it was getting very dirty. Have you ever visited Shotokan Planet and read Rob Redmond's views on washing your belt? Smile. It makes people wonder what you've been up to.
Kirves Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 I know that some people think that way, but personally I think its a little bit gross to not wash a belt. After all, sweat and bacteria will just accumulate on it, not to mention the fact that it was my white belt and it was getting very dirty. Well, usually the belt isn't getting that dirty, or I'll have to ask what are you doing with it! How long do you wear the same belt anyway? I had my white belt for two months...
CheekyMusician Posted January 25, 2003 Posted January 25, 2003 I know that some people think that way, but personally I think its a little bit gross to not wash a belt. After all, sweat and bacteria will just accumulate on it, not to mention the fact that it was my white belt and it was getting very dirty. Well, usually the belt isn't getting that dirty, or I'll have to ask what are you doing with it! How long do you wear the same belt anyway? I had my white belt for two months... Our club doesn't test very often, so by the time I got rid of my white belt I'd had it almost 6 months. It was dirty mainly from exercises we'd been doing on the floor. My club trains in a sports hall and there's people in before us using it, so the floor is always grubby. Whenever we lie on our backs, or kneel etc. we always get up and have to wipe some dirt off our gis, so the belt was pretty filthy by the time I washed it. Smile. It makes people wonder what you've been up to.
Dober Posted January 26, 2003 Posted January 26, 2003 No way to unshrink. But a hot dryer will shrink a cotton gi. Untrue, after you washed your pants get someone to hold on to the waist end and you grab each leg at the other end and engage in a tug of war! Just be sure not to rip them! White Belt - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
monkeygirl Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 If your pants are a bit too long, and they have a thick waistband, you can try folding the waistband outward. This works especially well if the pants are loose in the crotch. I have to do this for all of my Century Heavyweight pants. As far as washing a belt goes, it can make the belt fall apart. Also, the belt will probably fade...the strong dyes aren't usually meant for washing. It may seem kind of "gross" to wear a "dirty" belt, but it's not like you're gonna lick it or something. Not only that, but you have a layer of clothing between you and your belt. If you still want to wash your belt, talk to your Sensei to make sure. Depending on the school (and how traditional it is), washing a belt can be an extremely disrespectful act. The sweat and dirt that collects on a belt is symbolic of the hard work you've endured in your training. To wash the belt is to therefore "wash away" your training. Your sensei may not mind if you wash your belt, but you should know why he may not approve. 1st dan & Asst. Instructor TKD 2000-2003No matter the tune...if you can rock it, rock it hard.
Kirves Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 It was dirty mainly from exercises we'd been doing on the floor. My club trains in a sports hall and there's people in before us using it, so the floor is always grubby. Whenever we lie on our backs, or kneel etc. we always get up and have to wipe some dirt off our gis, so the belt was pretty filthy by the time I washed it. Our classes always begin with sweeping the floor clean.
Kirves Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 Not only that, but you have a layer of clothing between you and your belt. Sometimes the modern man can be a bit overprogrammed for all this hygiene stuff, we have all the "anti-bacteria" dishwashing detergents and what else, even though all studies show they are detrimental because human needs it's natural environment with all its bacteria. It is often funny how someone is so afraid of his own sweat on his belt, while at the same time having no trouble wrestling with a dozen people on the backyard lawn with god-knows-what on the earth there!
ramymensa Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 Traditionally, the belt isn't supposed to be washed. Even if it gets stains from training, like blood, it's not supposed to be washed. I don't know anyone who washes the belt.It's a nasty tradition and not even a tradition. A make-believe from us westerners. WASH your belts ... When you a low grade you change the belt in few months so it's not that bad, but when achieveing BB ... Imagine how nice it would smell and how "healty" would be to wear a durty, bloody, sweaty belt ... It's against any rule of hygiene. and don't think japanese guys wear stinky belts. Them ... maniacs of tidyness and order ... Even a rotten belt and looking very old is too much in my opinion. I care a lot about my gi. Try to have it clean and white, almost new. Then, how could I tie a dirty belt on my plain white, extremelly clean gi? World Shotokan Karate
Kirves Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 A make-believe from us westerners. WASH your belts ... Washing the black belt was a habit invented by Americans so their belt would look as old and grey as those who got their belt 10 years ago. Keep washing your black belt and in 3 years you are walking around with a white belt again!
ramymensa Posted January 27, 2003 Posted January 27, 2003 And for ruining the belt while washing it ... It's not necesary to use brushes of "heavy" programs in the washing mashine. Use a mild detergent or soap and if you do it from time to time it would be enough. If the colous don't fade and stain the gi from sweating in the dojo, they should resist the action of clean water. And for not having these problems get a good belt. Maybe not as cheap, but better. World Shotokan Karate
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