bogu maintenance

[heavenbird]

I just got my new set of bogu today

I was looking online for some bogu maintenance info but unfortunately can't find any. Does anyone know some websites on bogu maintenance? Or can someone share some tips?

thank you very much

heavenbird

[lucian]

this has some tips on bogu
http://www6.big.or.jp/~budogu/manu/manual2-11.htm

[heavenbird]

thank you, the link was very helpful !




heavenbird

[Hyaku]

When it starts to smell throw it away!

Hyakutake Colin

[durrell4]

Throwing away bogu because it smells seems a bit extreme considering Kendo equipment almost always smells. Try Febreeze to help with the smell I find it can work miracles. In the pacific northwest new bogu smell after a very short time because of the humidity and many of us do not have the luxury of buying new equipment as often as we would like so we have to make due with the smell

[richard haly]

Greetings,

For years I have been spraying the inside of my Men, particularly mengane, with isopropyl alcohol after practice. As "smell" is probably caused by bacteria, this helps immensely. I imagine it helps dry things faster too. However, as this was something I came up with on my own, I may be ignorant of bad side effects. Does anyone know of any?

Best,

Richard Haly

[alexpollijr]

Hi

Not long ago I bought from Japan a spray can called 'Kenro Spray', which comes in a fancy little blue can. It's supposed to help with the stench, in Kote and Men.

Since I can't read japanese, I don't know what's in the formula, but I've tried it and it actually works if you apply before and after practice in a bogu that has not yet started to smell brutally. If it's already smelling brutally, it helps a little but after a couple hours practice it will smell as bad as usual.

Also, I'd like to add a question to the thread. I have one keikogi that has a smell attached to it that simply won't go away no matter how much I wash it. In fact, its becoming worse. It has only happened to one of my keikogi (I have a couple more). Does anyone have any tip ?

Alex Polli

(PS the spray is on sale at the Tozando Webshop www.tozando.com in the kendo -> accessories section)

[Ian Russell]

Here are a couple tid bits of information on cleaning bogu at the IAIDO-L list archives:

• Cleaning the kote (Thu, 7 Feb 2002)
• Cleaning your MEN protector (Mon, 5 Nov 2001)

Use the "Next in Topic" button to read the replies for "Cleaning the kote" thread.

P.S. Hyakutake sensei, when you throw your next set of bogu away, throw it my way?

[Hyaku]

Originally posted by alexpollijr

Also, I'd like to add a question to the thread. I have one keikogi that has a smell attached to it that simply won't go away no matter how much I wash it. In fact, its becoming worse. It has only happened to one of my keikogi (I have a couple more). Does anyone have any tip ?

Alex Polli

You don't mean the Aizome dye smell do you?

I always soak everything in water with a cup of vinegar to set the colour before I use it. They recommend you not use any soap but I always use a little.

That Febureeezu they sell here is amazing stuff.

Looks like the new keikogi are here to stay. A body hugging synthetic stretch material plain on the outside and toweled on the inside. I wonder what they will think of next. Sensors in the shinai for electronic scoring?

Hyaku

[GMason]

Alex,

I was bought some of the what sounds like the same stuff by my Girl friend, in a not so subtle hint about the fact that I stink. She told me, that she was told by her teacher (She also practice's Kendo) that it does cause damage to the material after prolonged use, but I don't know how true that is though.

Personaly, I think one of the best things is just to put it out side after a practice and let it air, that usually works, but what ever you do don't forget to take it out of your bag................This one time at band camp (Sorry wrong story) ............... I had just been to a seminar and forgot to take my bogu and air it out for about a week. The mould was absolutly disguisting and I have only just got it properly clean.

[alexpollijr]

Gentleman,

In fact I was not talking about the dye smell. That was Ok at the time. I've soaked it with vinegar and cold water, and also some soap. It didn't really work 100%, in the first four practices or so I left the dojo like a smurf or maybe a blue version of Hulk.

But it's about other keikogi, one single layer cotton one that I got from Japan's Makko brand. It has such a bad sweat smell on it. And I just can't make it go away.

About Men, in fact mine doesn't really smell a lot. Kote is a bit of problem since I sweat too much in the hands, so I clean it inside and outside with a rag and put it to get some fresh air. When in dire need I apply some of the bogu spray. It works - apparently. I've also tried silica gel inside the bag, those little bags with silica crystals inside that you use in electronic environments to prevent humidity, like inside computer CPUs.

This is an interesting, although stinky, thread I'd say.

Alex Polli

PS. This 'tight-fit' gi stuff was a joke, wasn't it?

[Hyaku]

I don't use much soap but always use a rinse.

Some people do sweat more than others. Problem is the salt that is retained in the Bogu that makes it difficult to dry stuff. Direct sunlight is also a no no

Never mind keep practicing. You never know. One day you could finish a practice, take off your tenegui and find its still dry lol.

I should try Febreez too if they sell it in your country. Your spray anything. Shoes, inside cars, pets favorite places etc. It works well.

No I was not joking about the body hugging garments. They need to be close to the skin to vent the sweat. Looks a bit like my wetsuit apart from the crossover at the front and the slightly loose sleeve cuffs.

Hyaku

[CKohalyk]

Hyaku,

Originally posted by Hyaku

...the new keikogi are here to stay. A body hugging synthetic stretch material plain on the outside and toweled on the inside. I wonder what they will think of next.

I am wondering if this is the same kinda stuff used for grappling to prevent "gi-burn." Is there a website where one could check this stuff out?

Best,

CKohalyk

[amatsuda]

http://www.underarmour.com

[cklin]

Febreze is initially a good idea, but for some reason, the stuff just makes the smell get worse after a while.

Maybe it's a marketing ploy -- you end up using more.

Stinky bogu and kendogi/hakama are a fact of kendo life... just consider it part of your training!