Gi care

[aes]

This is kind of gross but thought someone here might have the answer I need.

 

I sweat a lot when I am training. Because of this I don't wear an undershirt to keep me cooler. This means that the underarms of my Gi get build up and discoloured.

 

I wash my Gi frequently due to my sweating to keep it fresh but this does not remove this "build up" in the underarm area.

 

Does anyone have any tips on how to remove this and keept it clean?

 

Al

[KickChick]

I'm guessing you mean those "groady" pit marks that remain on your gi no matter how much you wash it.

 

Try "spot cleaning" with a liquid spot remover .... apply and rub area together and let stand for awhile before you wash. You can always add bleach to the wash if your gi is totally white and you have no patches, screenprint or colored piping along neckline. (that will fade with bleaching)

 

Also dishwasher detergent works real good for perspiration stains as well as ground in dirt (like football/baseball pants) Stick just the underarm areas in a bowl with a cup of "Cascade" or whatever brand of dishwasher detergent... and let soak overnite.

 

Yeah.... I'm a martial art Mom too!

[gheinisch]

There is also a bar detergent named "Zote" usually found in the Hispanic section of grocery stores. It's a pink bar that you rub directly onto spots and let soak for a while. It did a pretty good job on my Gi. A Karate Mom in my class told me about that one.

[IAMA_chick]

i've heard that Doubt, laundry stain remover, works really well for the bottom of the pant legs from walking around at a tourney or whatever and that would probally help as well. who knows?

[jmy77]

Personally I prefer to sweat as much as possible. Sign of a good workout and you (or atleast I) feel better after a good heavy sweat.

 

If you want there is a company out there that makes shirts which will keep the sweat off your body (and out of your Gi) - it's called Underarmor.

 

I have a couple of these shirts as I enjoy sweating but most people do not like engaging a sweaty mess when sparring... Also because the shirt takes the sweat off of you you stay cooler.

 

here is a website: http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/default.asp

 

Look under heat gear.

 

try it out - I love it.

[aes]

I'm guessing you mean those "groady" pit marks that remain on your gi no matter how much you wash it.

 

Yes that is what I am referring to. I have only been in Karate for about 7 months now and already the underarms have yellow crusty spots on them.

 

Especially not good as I do tournements.

 

Thanks for the info. I have some generic stain remover but it has never helped.

[ramymensa]

Had the same problem and now I've changed the tactic

 

I use to wear my gi and a short sport top. Now I try to get rid of the spots, while not making them worse, so I started wearing a t-shirt under. It's sometimes hot, but it's really doing the job. The stains are gone (since I wash the gi like before, but the skin doesn't touch it anymore). The only problem is summer is coming. Then will be too hot so I'll have to wear only the karategi pants and a t-shirt, otherwise at 40-45 Celsius degrees (it can get there), I'll be dying

[tommarker]

If you are concerned with the appearance of your uniform at tournaments, then I would suggest buying a uniform solely for tournaments and keeping it absolutely pristine.

[kchenault]

Try one of the new oxygen cleaners on the market. Scrub it with an old toothbrush. Then wash regularly. STAY AWAY FROM BLEACH! Although it does tend to get stains out, it also weakens the fabric of your Gi, causing premature wearing out in places.

 

Pilsung!

[shotochem]

Kchenault is right

 

Oxyclean oxygen cleaner will do wonders. I let my gi soak in a tub with a few scoops overnight it makes a big difference. It also helps to soak your gi immediatly after training then let it drip dry.