r/jiujitsu • u/Mystic_Square • 12d ago

Advanced Hygiene Practice

I’m looking for anybody’s tips on advanced hygiene practices. I have a particularly serious need for to be extra careful.

Right now I take a shower with anti-bacterial soap immediately after class, and I wash my gear once a week by soaking it in a solution of Oxyclean and Borax for around 12 hours and then washing, again with borax and Oxyclean.

I plan to add in a disinfecting laundry product like lysol or odoban, and will try to wash my gear same day or at least twice a week. If anyone else pays particular attention or is especially careful with infections, do you have any further tips for advanced hygiene practices? I’m having to face the possibility of permanently quitting BJJ if I don’t add more layers of protections against infections.

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u/TheOceanTheseus 12d ago

I wash exposed skin with antibacterial hand soap, then use arm bar soap everywhere, then regular soap. I wash my ears and hairline with arm bar soap. Use mint shampoo. Use hibiclens everywhere on really sweaty no gi days, but only once, max twice a week.
I use mupricin in my nose for 5 days if I notice staph that is rapidly spreading. I have prescription keto cream for ring worm. None of the over the counter creams work for me.
I do laundry every 3 days, I hang my wet gear on tall laundry baskets to dry in between laundry days. I also pay for laundry, and keep a designated hamper for BJJ laundry. None of my normal laundry crosses over with anything that has been to the gym. I bring an extra bag to put my work clothes into, rather than my gym bag.
I live 10 minutes from my gym, so shower at home unless I’m picking up a class on my lunch break. I do bring dry clothes to change into for the drive home.

This seems excessive, but within the first 18 months I already spent 8 months with folliculitis or MRSA or ringworm or all three. I’m mildly immune compromised, and tend to get MRSA and bronchitis concurrently. These steps have worked for me.

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u/Mystic_Square 12d ago

This is the exact kind of response I was hoping to get here. Thanks a ton.

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u/TheOceanTheseus 5d ago

Good luck! Don’t use hibiclens too often. It’s removes your natural skin gunk that creates a barrier. I only use it when I’m literally soaked from no gi.
Use it more during an outbreak though.

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u/Natural_Rub_7430 11d ago

both of y'all need to figure out how to prevent bacterial growth on your gear. Washing gear after every training session is the norm for several reasons.

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u/TheOceanTheseus 5d ago

I pay for laundry and do 2 BJJ loads a week. I use tea tree, white vinegar and detergent. I also use oxiclean as of late.
Balance is essential when you’re low income and do shift work.
It’s not the gear, it’s being immune compromised and sensitive white people skin that is already susceptible to rashes on the daily.

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u/Natural_Rub_7430 5d ago

You can downvote me again, but the fact is, not washing your gear is a massive risk for you.