Laundry & Uniform Care Guide

Onna Kimono karate uniform care guide

Take care of your gi, and it will take care of you.

Your Onna Kimono uniform was designed to move with you, withstand demanding training sessions, and look beautiful on the competition floor.

Different fabrics require different care. Whether you're trying to maintain that crisp kata snap, preserve the fit of your uniform, or remove a stubborn training stain, we've got you covered.

Find your uniform below for specific washing and care instructions.

MUSHA BLUE

White Cotton Kata Uniform

Our Musha Blue is made from pre-shrunk cotton, designed to maintain its structure and crisp appearance through regular training.

Washing

  • Machine wash in cold water.
  • Avoid fabric softeners. They can reduce the crispness and snap of the fabric.
  • Never use bleach.

Drying

  • Remove your uniform promptly after washing.
  • Give the fabric a few firm snaps or smooth it between your hands to help release wrinkles.
  • Hang dry or lay flat to dry.
  • Avoid tumble drying to help preserve the fit and minimize additional shrinkage.

Ironing & Competition Preparation

  • Iron on the cotton setting for a smooth, crisp finish.
  • Fabric starch may be used to create additional stiffness and enhance that sharp kata presentation.

A note about shrinkage: Although Musha Blue is pre-shrunk, cotton can still experience some additional shrinkage, particularly when exposed to heat.

Person hanging freshly washed Onna Kimono karate uniforms on hangers to air dry, demonstrating proper karate gi laundry care.

BLACK EDITION

Black Cotton Kata Uniform

Our Black Edition cotton requires a little extra attention to maintain its color, structure, and fit.

Washing

  • Machine wash in cold water.
  • Wash separately from light-colored clothing, especially during the first few washes.
  • Avoid fabric softeners to maintain the crispness of the fabric.
  • Never use bleach.

Drying

  • This cotton fabric is prone to shrinkage.
  • After washing, snap or smooth the wrinkles out of the fabric.
  • Hang dry or lay flat to preserve the current fit.
  • Machine drying with heat will encourage additional shrinkage. Only do this if you intentionally want to reduce the size, and remember that shrinkage may not occur evenly.

Ironing & Competition Preparation

  • Iron on the cotton setting, taking care to avoid decorative details.
  • Use fabric starch when additional crispness is desired.

A note about shrinkage: Unlike our pre-shrunk Musha Blue, the Black Edition is more susceptible to shrinkage. If your uniform fits perfectly, we strongly recommend cold washing and air drying.

KUMITE PEARL

Lightweight Performance Kumite Uniform

Designed for movement, speed, and comfort, the Kumite Pearl uses a lightweight performance fabric that requires less maintenance than traditional cotton.

Washing

  • Machine wash in cold water.
  • Avoid fabric softeners.
  • Never use bleach.
  • Spot-treat stains as needed with a product appropriate for synthetic fabrics.

Drying

  • Hang dry whenever possible.
  • Tumble drying is also an option, but use low heat to minimize unnecessary heat exposure.

Ironing

  • Do not iron.
  • The performance fabric is designed to require minimal wrinkle maintenance.

A note about fit: Avoid high heat when washing or drying. Unlike cotton, synthetic performance fabrics should not be deliberately heat-shrunk to adjust their fit.

STAIN REMOVAL & EXTRA CARE

Blood stains

Karate happens. Occasionally, so do bloody noses, split lips, and scraped knuckles.

Treat blood stains as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 hours.

  • Flush the affected area with icy cold water. Never start with hot water, which can make blood stains harder to remove.
  • Hydrogen peroxide may help remove blood from white fabric. Test a small, inconspicuous area first.
  • Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on black or colored fabrics unless you've confirmed it is safe for the material.
  • Wash normally after treatment and check that the stain is gone before exposing the fabric to heat.

Maintaining that kata snap

Love the crisp sound of a well-executed technique?

Avoid fabric softeners, air dry your cotton uniform, and use an iron and fabric starch when you want additional structure for competition.

Preventing unwanted shrinkage

Cotton and heat are not always friends.

If you're happy with the way your uniform fits, stick with cold water and air drying. Heat can cause additional shrinkage, and the resulting changes may not be uniform across the jacket and pants.

Keeping your uniform fresh

Don't leave a damp, sweaty uniform sitting in your gear bag. Remove it after training and allow it to air out until you're ready to wash it.

Always allow your uniform to dry completely before folding and storing.

ONE IMPORTANT RULE FOR EVERY ONNA KIMONO UNIFORM

NEVER USE BLEACH ON ANY ONNA KIMONO UNIFORM.

Bleach can damage fibers, compromise the fabric's appearance, and shorten the life of your gi.

Still have a question?

Not sure how to care for your uniform, treat a stubborn stain, or preserve its fit? We're happy to help. Contact Onna Kimono before experimenting with harsh chemicals or high heat.