How to shrink your kimono

Some of you like to shrink your kimonos to a perfect fit. So if you have done it already then you probably do not need to read any further. But if you have not, here are some tips.

First you should know that even in cold water your kimono will shrink from 3% to 4% on average after the first wash alone, and then probably some more over the next few washes. Some specific kimonos will shrink more, some less. Some weaves tend to shrink more than others, some less. And some aspects of your kimono will shrink more than others. Despite what some people think, rip stop DOES shrink, sometimes more than you might expect. Also remember that while gold weave tends to shrink more than pearl weave, that is not always the case.

So what does that ^^^ say? That all gis are not alike. All brands are not alike, and all weaves are not alike. Shrinkage is inconsistent and a crap shoot at best. 

Natural shrinkage will not only vary from brand to brand, but from batch to batch. It really depends upon how the raw fabric was constructed and treated as well as the quality of the weave and weight (gsm). The bottom line is that you never know until you wash the gi. If, after trying your new gi on for the first time, you are worried about a kimono possibly shrinking too much, then don't wash it. Set it aside and monitor the groups on Facebook to see what other people are saying about it. You can also make a post in these groups yourself asking for others to comment on their experience. I suggest you avoid being the guinea pig if you can't afford to lose money on the gi should you have to sell it later because it shrunk and now does not fit.  

It is important to know that if your new kimono fits perfect or a little tight right out of the bag, that no matter what you do, it will shrink a little at least. If that is the case then it may not fit at all after you wash it and you should consider selling or trading it while it is still BNIB (Brand New, In Bag) rather than after you wash it and confirm that it does not fit. You will not only get more money for the gi by selling it BNIB, but the pool of buyers is much larger for BNIB gis than it is for used gis, even if just washed once. 

When I measure a kimono to determine shrinkage I use these 10 areas. Some will shrink more (percentage wise) than others, and those are usually measurements A and B in the Jacket, and A in the pants. Now it's not that you need to measure your kimono before and after you wash it. I'm just providing this for a reference. And when I say that a kimono will shrink 3% to 4% on average, that value is achieved by adding up the measurements of all 10 areas prior to washing, and then again after the gi has been washed and thoroughly dried. The difference of those two values divided by the initial measurement will give you your overall shrinkage. But again, unless you are going to review the gi the only real test you need to do is put it on. 

Here is one shrinkage chart that I did recently. Please note the differences in the amount of shrinkage in the ten measurements.

After having determined that you want to shrink your kimono first wash it in cold water and hang dry. Once dry you should try it on to see how it now fits. If you are lucky, the 3% to 4% shrinkage will have brought the gi down to the size you want. But if not, keep reading.

The next step would be to wash the gi a second and third time, again in cold water. As stated above gis tend to shrink for the first few washes. So before you decide to take extraordinary measures to shrink your gi, it would make sense to first see where it will shrink to naturally. 

After that if you still want to shrink it some more, then the first step is to wash it in hot water. The key here is to not use any soap (since hopefully the gi is already clean) and remove it from the washing machine after the end of wash cycle spin is completed and before the cold rinse water starts filling up the machine. 

Again, hang it dry and check the fit. 

If it still needs more shrinking, wash it again (this can be a quick cycle and doesn't matter if you wash in hot or cold) and now you need to start using your dryer. With the heat on medium (so as not to burn the gi or EVA foam inside the collar), put the damp gi in the dryer and check it after 15 minutes and then again every 5 minutes until it shrinks down to where you want it. When it reaches that point, remove it from the dryer and hang dry. 

From then on you should just wash on cold and hang dry each time and the gi should retain the same measurements.  

Some things to be careful about: 

*** Do not over shrink the gi. But if you do, wet it and then put it on and move your body around to stretch it back out while it is wet. You may need help to pull on the sleeves and pant cuffs. 

*** Do not OVER DRY your kimono in the dryer. Because if you burn it or the EVA foam collar in it...that "burnt smell" will NEVER go away. 

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