Nobody tells beginners this when they start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: people would rather roll with the dangerous guy than the smelly guy.
Good hygiene in BJJ isn’t optional. You’re training in close contact, sweating on mats, sharing space, and spending hours grabbing each other’s clothing. The good news? Most hygiene problems are easy to avoid.
Here are the biggest BJJ hygiene mistakes beginners make—and how to avoid becoming the training partner people secretly avoid.
Why hygiene matters in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a close-contact sport. Poor hygiene doesn’t just create unpleasant training sessions—it increases the risk of skin infections, bacteria spread, ringworm and fungal infections, staph infections, and unpleasant training experiences. Good hygiene protects you, your training partners, and your gym environment.
Mistake #1: Not washing your gi after every session
This is the biggest mistake beginners make. Your gi absorbs sweat, skin bacteria and dirt from the mats. Even if it “doesn’t smell yet,” bacteria are still there.
Rule: wash your gi after every training session. Not every two sessions. Not tomorrow. Every session!
Bonus tip: hang your gi immediately after training if you can’t wash it right away. Throwing it into a closed gym bag for 8 hours is a disaster.
Mistake #2: Reusing rashguards and no-gi gear
Rashguards aren’t magically cleaner than gis. They collect sweat, bacteria and skin cells. If you train no-gi, wash your rashguard, shorts, and spats after every session. Owning multiple sets becomes useful quickly if you train frequently.
Mistake #3: Leaving gear inside your gym bag
Your gym bag is not storage. Leaving sweaty gear inside creates smell buildup, mold risk, and faster gear deterioration.
What to do instead: immediately after training, open your bag, remove the sweaty gear, and let everything air out. This simple habit will keep your gear fresher for longer.
Mistake #4: Ignoring your flip-flops
Walking barefoot in changing rooms, bathrooms and hallways, then stepping onto the mats, is asking for problems. Good BJJ hygiene means wearing flip-flops everywhere except on the mats. This is probably the easiest hygiene habit to build.
Mistake #5: Not cleaning your mouthguard
Your mouthguard spends hours in your mouth, covered in saliva, inside warm gym bags — yet many people never clean it. Rinse it after training, wash it regularly, and let it fully dry. Otherwise, you are basically putting bacteria directly into your mouth.
Mistake #6: Poor nail hygiene
This sounds obvious, yet everyone eventually trains with someone who forgot. Keep fingernails and toenails short. Long nails create cuts, scratches and infections — nobody enjoys getting sliced open during guard passing.
Mistake #7: Training while sick
This one is simple. If you have a fever, flu symptoms, stomach issues, or contagious skin conditions, stay home! Missing two training sessions is better than getting your entire gym sick.
Mistake #8: Ignoring skin problems
See something suspicious? Don’t ignore it. Watch for ring-shaped rashes, strange bumps, unusual redness, or skin irritation that spreads. Early treatment is easier. Training through infections is not tough and will get you and your training partners in trouble — it’s irresponsibility.
How often should you wash BJJ gear?
Simple rules:
- Gi — every session
- Rashguard — every session
- Shorts — every session
- Spats — every session
- Mouthguard — every session
- Gym bag — weekly minimum
Beginner BJJ hygiene checklist
Before training:
- Nails trimmed
- Clean gear
- Flip-flops packed
- No suspicious skin issues
After training:
- Wash gear
- Air out bag
- Clean mouthguard
- Shower
Final thoughts: good hygiene makes you a better training partner
Nobody expects beginners to know every technique. Everyone expects basic hygiene. The fastest way to become someone people enjoy training with isn’t better guard retention. It’s simple: show up clean. Train hard. Leave clean.
Bonus tip and product recommendations
If you can’t wash the smell of sweat out of your gear anymore, don’t worry — soak it all in a bucket of vinegar and baking soda. This will kill the bacteria and thus the smell. Make sure to wash your stuff after, because the vinegar will otherwise leave a smell of its own.
For personal hygiene and after-training care, we highly recommend the Defense Soap Bar. To wash your gear, the Defense Laundry Booster will keep it smelling fresh.