Different brand of belt at school.

I never washed my belts and they never got smelly or anything else unpleasant.

Washing ones blackbelt over and over I can imagine it quickly get that cool worn look like a ā€œgrandmastersā€ belt.



This one, what an idea to come up with, also unimaginable during the ā€œGolden Ageā€

ā€œTry using packaging tape to lift surface dirt from your beltā€

Karate Belt Care Instructions - Kataaro.
The packing tape Idea is an interesting idea I might just try. I find that after a week of training my belt is so gross and sweaty (most of it mine) that if I don't wash it, it will start to smell. I never machine wash it, just soak it in a small bucket of boiling water with some distilled vinegar for an hour, then add some baking soda so the bubbles agitate out any dirt. Rinse and hang up to dry.
 
My belt gets thrown in the wash with my gi and the rest of my clothes after every class. So much sweat gets on there in BJJ (both mine and other people's), it's a veritable petri dish.
 
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the thing about not washing your belt and it turning different colours as you acquire repeated injuries is hyperbole. Just think about it a little. What activities in karate cause you to bleed from the midsection? What's more it's gross.

Blood usually comes from cuts on your hands or arms, or from somebody youā€™re working with. Or a nosebleed.
 
The packing tape Idea is an interesting idea I might just try. I find that after a week of training my belt is so gross and sweaty (most of it mine) that if I don't wash it, it will start to smell. I never machine wash it, just soak it in a small bucket of boiling water with some distilled vinegar for an hour, then add some baking soda so the bubbles agitate out any dirt. Rinse and hang up to dry.
ā€œWho can wait in stillness while the mud settles?
Who can rest until the moment of action?

He who holds on to the Way seeks no excess.
Since he lacks excess,
He can grow old in no need to be renewedā€



Tao Te Ching - Chapter 15
 
Whilst off topic, nup, I never wash my belt. I really like the sentiment and tradition behind that :)
I don't wash mine either, I feel like they are supposed to have a part of me in them. Maybe its weird, but that's how they are earned. Through time, effort, and sweat.
 
I never washed my belts and they never got smelly or anything else unpleasant.
Mine would become a bit sweaty in the summer months, and since sweat contains proteins, various solutes that bacteria consider food, I felt they needed the occasional wash.
Washing ones blackbelt over and over I can imagine it quickly get that cool worn look like a ā€œgrandmastersā€ belt.
It takes longer than you might think unless youā€™re bashing it against a rock in a river!
This one, what an idea to come up with, also unimaginable during the ā€œGolden Ageā€

ā€œTry using packaging tape to lift surface dirt from your beltā€
If you train on a beach or on bare soil like they did in Okinawa!
 
I don't wash mine either, I feel like they are supposed to have a part of me in them. Maybe its weird, but that's how they are earned. Through time, effort, and sweat.
How often do you wash your gym clothes? šŸ˜‰

These days you can buy antibacterial laundry additives that can be used in a 10 minute rinse cycle and I think thatā€™s suitable for ranking belts.
 

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