Washing a Rashguard: How to Prevent Odors and Wear
Washing a rashguard: how to prevent odors and wear
Wash a rashguard as soon as possible after training, preferably at a low temperature with a mild detergent, without fabric softener, and let it air-dry. This removes sweat and bacterial residue while putting less strain on synthetic fibers, elasticity, seams, and prints than hot washing and machine drying.
A rashguard undergoes a lot during BJJ, MMA, and No-Gi. It fits tightly against the skin, absorbs sweat, rubs against the mat, and is constantly stretched during grappling. Proper care is therefore not just about a fresh smell. It also helps keep the fit, stretch, and finish usable for longer.
If you use a technical rashguard for training, you could, for example, take a look at the current Tactical Fightwear HEXCORE Rashguard. The care principles in this guide always remain secondary to the care label of the specific garment.
Why should you wash a rashguard soon after training?
After an intense session, sweat, skin oils, and moisture remain in the fabric. If you leave a wet rashguard rolled up in a sports bag for hours or days, it creates a warm, damp environment in which odors can set more easily.
The best routine therefore starts before the washing machine. Take your rashguard out of your bag as soon as you get home. If you cannot wash it immediately, hang it up open so it can dry. Do not put a damp rashguard in a closed laundry basket or plastic bag.
This is especially relevant in grappling, because your clothing comes into extensive contact with mats and training partners. Therefore, wash used training clothes before your next session and do not wear a rashguard again just because it “seems fine” after drying.
What temperature should you wash a rashguard at?
For technical sportswear, a low washing temperature is usually the safest standard. Always check your rashguard’s specific care label first, as material combinations, prints, and production methods may vary.
Washing hotter is not automatically better. Many rashguards are made from synthetic fibers with elastic components. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can unnecessarily strain these materials and certain prints. Choosing the right wash cycle, using enough detergent according to the recommended dosage, and washing the garment promptly are more important than continually increasing the temperature.
Washing inside out
Turn the rashguard inside out before washing. The inside has the most contact with skin and sweat, while the outside exposes prints and graphics somewhat less directly to friction from other clothing and the drum.
Close any zippers or hook-and-loop fasteners on other garments, and preferably do not wash technical tops with rough items that could snag the fabric. Think of clothing with exposed hook-and-loop fasteners, hard buckles, or sharp accessories.
What detergent should you use for a rash guard?
A normal mild detergent is sufficient in many cases. Using more detergent than recommended does not automatically make clothes cleaner. An excessive dose can actually be more difficult to rinse out.
Follow the detergent dosage instructions and consider the load size, water hardness, and level of soiling. Strongly fragranced products are not a substitute for proper washing: a fresh scent does not necessarily mean that sweat residue has been properly removed from the fabric.
Why is it better to avoid fabric softener?
For technical sportswear, it is advisable to avoid fabric softener unless the care label explicitly states otherwise. Fabric softener leaves substances on the fibers to make textiles feel softer. For functional synthetic clothing, this offers little benefit and can affect the fabric's properties.
If your main goal is to prevent your rash guard from becoming stiff or musty, focus on washing it promptly, using the correct amount of detergent, rinsing it well, and drying it completely.
Can a rash guard go in the dryer?
Air-drying is the safest standard for a rash guard. High heat in a tumble dryer can put extra strain on elastic fibers, bonded seams, and prints. Hang the rash guard up after washing or lay it out to dry in a well-ventilated room according to the care label.
Avoid drying it for a long time on a very hot radiator. Direct, prolonged exposure to bright sunlight can also affect colors and prints over time. An airy place at normal room temperature is usually sufficient, especially since technical rash guard fabrics dry relatively quickly.
How do you get a musty smell out of a rash guard?
A persistent odor often develops when a rash guard is repeatedly left damp in a bag, left unwashed for too long, or stored before it is completely dry after washing. So start by improving your routine before using more aggressive products.
Wash the rash guard according to the label, choose a suitable cycle, and make sure it is completely dry before putting it away. If the odor keeps coming back, also check your gym bag, towels, and other training clothes. A clean rash guard in a bag that is never cleaned itself can quickly start smelling musty again.
Do not use bleach or strong household chemicals on your own initiative. They can damage the color, print, and fibers. If in doubt, check the care label or the care instructions for the specific garment.
Can you wash a rash guard together with your BJJ gear?
That is often possible, but sort by color, material, and care instructions. A rashguard has different properties from, for example, a cotton BJJ gi. A heavy gi can absorb a lot of water and causes more mechanical friction during washing than lightweight technical clothing.
If you wash several No-Gi items together, check that the shorts do not have exposed hook-and-loop fasteners or sharp closures. A laundry bag can provide extra protection for finer technical clothing, but it does not replace proper sorting.
Still unsure which clothing is functional for grappling? Also read our guide on what to wear for No-Gi BJJ. It focuses on the complete training outfit; this care guide focuses exclusively on keeping your rashguard clean and usable.
How often should you wash a rashguard?
After every training session it is worn. Even after a relatively easy technique class, the fabric comes into contact with sweat, skin, and training surfaces. Wearing it again without washing is therefore not a good care routine.
If you train several times a week, it may be practical to use more than one rashguard. This way, a freshly washed top does not have to be forced to dry quickly, and you can start every training session in clean clothing.
For choosing between models with different sleeve lengths, you can use our separate comparison, short- or long-sleeve rashguard. That page covers the choice for training and coverage; here, care remains the primary search intent.
Common mistakes when washing a rashguard
- Leave the wet rashguard in your gym bag. This gives the odor more time to set in.
- Always wash at the highest possible temperature. More heat is not automatically necessary and can place additional strain on technical materials.
- Use fabric softener for a “fresher” result. A good washing and drying routine is more important.
- Use too much detergent. Follow the recommended amount instead of adding extra by guesswork.
- Wash it with the hook-and-loop fasteners open. They can catch on delicate technical fabric.
- Use the dryer as standard. Air-drying is generally gentler on elasticity and prints.
- Only clean the rashguard. A dirty gym bag or towel can transfer the odor back onto it.
A simple routine after BJJ, MMA, or No-Gi
- Take the rashguard out of your gym bag immediately after you get home.
- Wash it as soon as possible or hang it fully open to air temporarily.
- Check the care label and turn the rashguard inside out.
- Use a mild detergent and avoid unnecessarily high temperatures.
- Do not use fabric softener unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it.
- Let the rash guard air-dry completely.
- Put it away only when it is completely dry.
This routine is simple enough to maintain after every training session. That consistency is more important than occasionally performing an aggressive “deep clean” after odors have already built up over a long period.
When is a rash guard due for replacement?
Proper washing extends its usable life, but technical sportswear remains a consumable product. Regularly check the seams, elasticity, and fabric. When the rash guard is heavily stretched, no longer fits snugly, becomes see-through in high-stress areas, or has damaged seams, replacement may make more sense than further repairs.
A loose thread does not immediately mean that a rash guard is unusable, but do not pull on it hard. Check whether a seam is actually coming undone. In grappling, you want to prevent damaged fabric from tearing further during a scramble.
Frequently asked questions about washing a rash guard
Should you wash a new rash guard before wearing it for the first time?
That is a sensible choice. Follow the care label and wash it with similar colors. This way, you start with a clean garment and immediately learn how the material feels after washing and drying.
Can I wash my rash guard after every training session?
Yes. A rash guard is training clothing that should be washed after every wear. Use a suitable cycle and follow the care label to limit unnecessary wear.
Can I wash a rash guard at a high temperature to get rid of odors?
Follow the maximum temperature on the care label and do not increase the temperature without good reason. If the odor keeps returning, it is wiser to first check that you are washing it promptly, using the correct amount of detergent, drying it completely, and cleaning your gym bag.
Why does my rash guard still smell after washing?
Possible causes include storing it wet for too long, using too much detergent, insufficient drying, or a dirty gym bag. Improve the entire routine instead of masking odors with perfume or fabric softener.
Can a rash guard be washed together with towels?
Check the color and care instructions. Heavy or rough textiles create more friction than lightweight technical clothing. For maximum care, you can wash rash guards with similar sportswear.
Conclusion
Washing a rash guard properly is mainly a matter of speed and consistency: do not leave it wet in your bag, wash it after every training session according to the care label, avoid unnecessary heat, and let it air-dry completely. This not only helps keep odors under control, but also reduces unnecessary stress on the fabric, elasticity, seams, and prints.
For BJJ, MMA, and No-Gi, clean training clothes are part of a good gym routine. A few minutes of attention immediately after training can prevent you from having to put in much more effort later to deal with stubborn odors or premature wear.