Martial arts uniforms are notorious for losing their colors. Although many practitioners choose the faded out look, others tend not to. Or simply would love the color to remain bright longer. The other dilemma is that this bleeding might also leave residual dye inside your washing machine and stain other clothing unintentionally. Here are some tips and tricks that people are finding to be very helpful. As with all instructions, try on a little patch of material where it may not get noticed and proceed at your own risk.
Washing instructions for White 100% Cotton uniforms:
– Limit shrinkage by washing and rinsing in cold water the very first twice.
– Do not use bleach unless the uniforms are dingy, then use a maximum of 1 cup. (Bleach damages fabrics, and a lot of bleach corrodes fabrics)
– Cool dry or air-dry. (Hot drying may also shrink natural fibers regardless of whether washed in cold water)
Washing instructions for colored uniforms (including Reversible Blue/White Judogi):
– Add a 1/2 cup salt as well as a 1/2 cup vinegar to cold water, mix well and add colored uniform; this colorfasts the dyes. Soak for many hours.
This only must be done once. However, adding just a little salt and vinegar to every washload helps colorfast and hang up the shades.
Regular washing thereafter:
– Fill tub with water FIRST, then add detergent, a 1/4 cup salt as well as a 1/4 cup vinegar to cold water.
– Wash pants separately from tops.
– Add garments. For reversible uniforms add garments with white side out; colored side in. (With reversible uniforms it’s always best to wash them separately all other uniforms)
-Do not use bleach.
-Rinse all detergent out thoroughly before drying, any residue will cause the dyes to bleed.
The person you might be buying your uniform from are able to answer the questions you have and allow you to through this process. Seek and have help from professionals that determine what these are talking about and may allow you to.
