Uniform - Care & Maintenance
Uniform Care and Maintenance
The keiko-gi and hakama should always be kept clean and presentable. They should be replaced if they become faded, discolored, worn, or in any way unsightly. Proper care and storage of the uniform will prolong the life of the garments and keep them looking crisp.
Laundering
Tetron: Tetron hakama should be cared for in the same manner as other permanent press garments. Prompt removal from the dryer and immediate folding will help preserve the pleats and keep the garment looking neatly pressed. Other than that, Tetron is pretty easy to maintain. The rest of the laundering section deals with dyed cotton uniforms.
Cotton: HELP!! I look like a smurf!! Huh?? Yes, your new Do-bok can make you look like a smurf if it is colored using indigo dye. Dyed cotton hakama and keiko-gi require a level of special handling. Important: Dyed uniforms should always be washed separate from other laundry, as the indigo dye will bleed from the material throughout the life of the garments.
Set-Soaking (a.k.a How to stop looking like a smurf): New hakama and keiko-gi should be soaked overnight in a bath of vinegar and water or ammonia and water. I suggest vinegar, it's easier to tolerate and you won't get knocked on your butt coming back into the room to check on your Do-bok. The Recipe: Add about ½ cup of vinegar or ammonia to every gallon of water. The acidity of the bath will set the dye and help reduce fading.
After set-soaking, wash the garments using cold to lukewarm water and mild detergent; old fashion soap flakes work well. Sequent washings may include additional vinegar or ammonia to further slow fading. Hand washing is recommended for maximum color preservation – the bathtub converts to the perfect washtub for this task. After air-drying, the hakama and keido-gi should be properly folded and stored to maintain a smartly pressed look. (Damp folding the hakama and letting dry on a clean, flat surface will help set the pleats and reduce wrinkling.)
