How To Wash The Hakama

[Andoy]

Hi guys, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I have a taikai coming up in 3 weeks and my hakama is dirty....actually it has been for some time now because i'm scared that if i wash it, the pleats might disappear. I don't own a cotton indigo dyed hakama...just one of those snythetic tetron-type black hakamas. Some sites say that synthetic hakama is alright to be machine washed but again i'm afraid I might lose the pleats.

How often do you need to wash the hakama? I pretty much wash my keikogi everytime after practice but not my hakama. What are some ways to help preserve the pleats? I'm open for suggestions and comments. Thanks

[Steffen]

... i'm scared that if i wash it, the pleats might disappear. I don't own a cotton indigo dyed hakama...just one of those snythetic tetron-type black hakamas.


Hi.
I also have a tetron-hakama (mixture of cotton and synthetic) and I have no problems with machine washing. Just be careful to keep the temperature at not more than 30 degrees celcius.
The pleats are very robust, I wash my hakama about once every month and they are still there (without ever ironing them). Just put it into the machine, wash it, take it out and fold the pleats before hanging the hakama over a clothesline or a clothes hanger. Don't worry about having to create the pleats from scratch, they are very visible after taking it out of the machine). Alternativly you might fold the hakama as you do it after training and put it into the washer that way.

It is said it's more complicated with cotton hakamas, but with tetron ones the above method works for two years now.

Have fun,
Steffen

[Andoy]

Thanks. How long does it usually take for the hakama to dry?

[m_french]

Wash the Hakama? You mean people actually wash the Hakama?

seriously though if you have a polyester hakama put that puppy in the dryer.:beard:

[kendomushi]

With a little air circulation the tetron will dry very easily, within a few hours at most.

[Marine_Boy]

I also own a cheapo hakama. But instead of putting it in the washing machine, I run a bath tub of hot water and apply clothes detergent and soak my hakama in it. Leaving it to soak for around 30 minutes and it's dry in a few hours time.