You trained hard. Now take care of your gear.
A rash guard is a technical piece of kit — compression fabric, moisture-wicking properties, sublimated artwork that needs to hold up through hundreds of sessions. Treat it like a regular t-shirt and it won't last. Follow these simple rules and it will.
Wash it immediately after training
The moment you step off the mat, bacteria start multiplying in the damp fabric. Don't leave your rash guard sitting in your gym bag overnight. If you can't run a wash straight away, rinse it in cold water and hang it to dry until you can.
Always wash inside out
This is one of the most important habits you can build. Most bacteria sit on the inside of the garment against your skin — washing inside out targets that directly. It also protects the sublimated artwork on the outside from fading over time.
BUDO rash guards use sublimation printing, meaning the design is permanently dyed into the fabric rather than sitting on top of it. It won't crack or peel no matter how many times you wash it — but washing inside out will keep the colours sharp for longer.
Keep it away from abrasive materials
This one gets overlooked. Washing your rash guard with abrasive materials — rough zippers, coarse fabrics, or anything with a harsh surface — will damage the weave over time, causing pilling and snagging that breaks down the fabric. Wash your rash guards separately or use a mesh laundry bag to protect them.
Cold water, gentle cycle
Hot water breaks down elastic fibres and causes colours to fade early. Cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle is the right setting every time. It protects the stretch, the colour, and the compression fit that makes your rash guard work.
Use a mild antibacterial detergent
Standard detergents often wash over the surface of synthetic fabric without penetrating the tight weave. Use a mild sport or antibacterial detergent that's formulated to break down sweat and skin oils that bond to synthetic fibres. Skip anything with bleach or harsh chemicals — they'll degrade the fabric and strip the colour.
White vinegar is your friend
Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to your wash alongside your regular detergent. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, helps neutralise odour, and won't damage the fabric. If your gear is developing a persistent smell, soak it in cold water with white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.
Skip the dryer
Heat is the enemy of rash guard fabric. The dryer compromises the technical properties of the material, stretches out the fit, and shortens the lifespan significantly. Hang dry every time, away from direct sunlight which can fade colours.
Rotate your gear
Synthetic fabrics degrade faster when they stay damp or are worn repeatedly without full recovery. Give your rash guards time to dry completely between sessions. If you train daily, rotate across two or three pieces so nothing is being pushed back on before it's fully dry.
The short version: Wash immediately. Inside out. Cold water. No abrasives. No dryer. No bleach. Use a mild antibacterial detergent and a splash of white vinegar.
Your gear is an investment. Treat it like one.
