It’s important to keep your judo kimono clean for hygienic reasons as well as to preserve the longevity of the fabric. But cleaning a kimono involves more than just throwing it in the washing machine with your other clothes. The kimono’s fabric and fit are distinctive, so maintaining its best requires special maintenance.
Whether you’ve been practicing judo for years or are just starting out, knowing how to properly clean your kimono can extend its life. There are a few important steps to take to maintain the wonderful appearance and feel of your kimono, from picking the best detergent to picking the ideal wash cycle.
We’ll walk you through every step of cleaning your judo kimono in a washing machine in this guide, ensuring that it stays clean and ready for your next practice.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Pre-Treat Stains | Apply a gentle stain remover to any spots or stains on the kimono before washing. |
| 2. Use Cold Water | Wash the kimono in cold water to prevent shrinking and preserve the fabric"s quality. |
| 3. Select a Gentle Cycle | Choose a gentle or delicate cycle on your washing machine to protect the kimono"s fabric. |
| 4. Mild Detergent | Use a mild, color-safe detergent to keep the kimono clean without damaging the material. |
| 5. Avoid Bleach | Do not use bleach or harsh chemicals, as they can weaken the fabric and affect the color. |
| 6. Air Dry | Hang the kimono to air dry in a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight, which can cause fading. |
- How often to use the machine?
- Getting rid of difficult stains and stench
- Let"s use an automatic machine
- But what about the belt?
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How often to use the machine?
When necessary, wash the judo uniform. This will depend on a variety of factors, including the person’s unique qualities, the frequency, intensity, and duration of training. After every wear, there’s no need to put the kimono in the laundry. It is sufficient to hand wash and thoroughly dry the item if there isn’t any severe dirt on it.
It is preferable to wash the kimono no more frequently than once every two or three weeks.
You are allowed to wear a thin cotton T-shirt underneath the uniform if the coach does not prohibit it. It will help the kimono stay cleaner longer by absorbing some of the sweat.
Getting rid of difficult stains and stench
You must examine the judo uniform before placing it in the washing machine. An inexpensive suit can turn gray or yellowish, but a well-made kimono will stay snow-white for a very long time. In this scenario, bleaching the set will be necessary in addition.
You can use oxygen bleaches or other agents that raise the alkalinity of ordinary washing powder to bring back the whiteness of cotton fabric. The yellow tint on the white material is caused by fats that are effectively destroyed with the aid of these compounds.
The characteristics of the fabric will not alter even if a judo suit is bleached in accordance with all guidelines. It’s crucial to stay away from using products that contain chlorine. Because chlorine breaks down fibers, the fabric becomes more brittle and tattered.
It’s no secret that unpleasant "odors" are quickly absorbed by kimonos. When training is over, dry the suit right away to avoid the smell of sweat. If the uniform needs to be refreshed, rinse it with two tablespoons of table vinegar in clean, warm water. The bad smell will go away.
The armpits, the kimono collar, and the sleeve cuffs are the areas that are hardest to clean. Pre-washing trouble spots with laundry soap, washing gel, or ordinary powder is preferable. For cotton fabrics, mild stain removers are acceptable. The martial arts uniform cannot be put in the washing machine until after this.
Let"s use an automatic machine
The kimono’s manufacturer typically does not forbid automatic washing. Once you’ve selected this cleaning technique, it’s crucial to adhere to a few guidelines. The following will be the sequence of events:
- prepare the suit for loading into the machine. Wash out difficult stains, turn the kimono inside out, straighten and smooth the fabric. Be sure to wash the colored belt separately – it may fade;
- carefully roll up the set and load it into the washing machine. It is better to first put the form in a special mesh bag for washing;
- pour washing powder or liquid detergent into the dispenser. If necessary, pour conditioner-rinse into the special compartment;
- select a mode that corresponds to the rules for caring for cotton items. Make sure that the water temperature does not exceed 30 ° C. Sometimes you can increase the heating to 90 ° C, so the product will undergo antibacterial treatment, but the percentage of shrinkage of cotton and wear of the fabric will increase;
- set a low spin speed, from 400 to 800 rpm. More intensive treatment will lead to the formation of folds on the clothes, which will then be difficult to smooth out;
- activate the cycle.
Selecting a lengthy mode is crucial to ensure that the kimono "spins" in the machine for a minimum of 1.5 hours.
The fabric fibers will be completely cleaned during this period. A quick program like "Quick Wash" will only remove surface dirt and won’t produce the desired outcome when it is started.
The kimono should be carefully unfurled from the drum and hung up on a hanger after being taken out of the drum. The suit should be dried in a room with good ventilation or on the balcony to prevent the fabric from being exposed to UV light. It is forbidden to hang a white uniform next to heaters, on an electric dryer, or on batteries.
A cotton kimono can be starched if desired. Using your hands, you can create a starch paste, which you can then add to the water to rinse. In this manner, the fabric will genuinely "squeak" from cleanliness and cool the skin in a pleasant way.
You can iron a silky kimono by passing a layer of gauze through it. It’s not too difficult to carefully straighten and straighten a wicker suit by hand. There shouldn’t be any creases on the material if you wash a judo kit according to the instructions.
It is preferable to wet the suit once more and dry it in accordance with all the guidelines if the kimono has a lot of deep folds after drying.
But what about the belt?
Young fighters begin their training with a white belt. Here, the uniform and belt are simply washed; no special questions are asked. Athletes with experience who are entitled to wear colored obi will need to clean the belt and suit separately. It should be noted that certain martial arts schools forbid cleaning the kimono belt. However, that is a different query.
Hand washing the belt is very easy. To clean colored items, fill a basin with warm water, add a detergent, and soak the belt for twenty to thirty minutes. The only thing left to do is rinse the product and use crumpling motions to wash away the dirt.
It is preferable to wash any tough stains on the belt before doing the main wash. You can use oxygen bleaches or specialized stain removers for colored fabrics (without chlorine) for this.
If you do the proper steps, washing a judo kimono in a washing machine is not difficult. Your kimono’s fabric and color will last longer if you use cold water, a gentle cycle, and mild detergent. To keep the material strong and in top shape for your training and competitions, stay away from bleach and other harsh chemicals.
Proper drying of your kimono is equally as important as cleaning it. The best way is to hang dry the fabric because it keeps it from shrinking and from getting stiff. Preventing the colors from fading over time can also be achieved by avoiding direct sunlight.
You can maintain the cleanliness, freshness, and readiness of your judo kimono by following these easy steps. Taking good care of your uniform not only keeps it longer-lasting but also keeps you feeling and looking your best on the mat.
It’s important to follow certain instructions when washing a judo kimono in a washing machine in order to maintain the fabric’s durability and avoid shrinking. Steer clear of harsh cycles, use cold water, and a mild detergent. Your kimono will stay in good shape for training and competition if you take proper care of it.
