Have you ever had the experience of trying to use your protective gear for the first time in a while only to find it moldy ?
Kendo armor is not cheap, and it is an important companion that you want to use for a long time. In this article, we will carefully explain the causes and prevention of mold growth on kendo armor, as well as what to do if it does grow .
Protect your precious armor from mold with a little daily care.

table of contents

1. Why does mold grow on kendo armor?
   
   
2. Preventive measures to prevent mold from growing on protective gear: - Wipe down immediately after use - Spray with disinfectant - Dry in a well-ventilated place - Do not store away
   
   
3. What to do if mold grows - If it's only on the surface - If it has spread inside - How to deal with mold on armor bags - Call a professional
   
   
4. Treating your armor with care is like cultivating your spirit

Why does mold grow on kendo armor?

First, let's understand why mold grows on kendo armor .
Mold can easily grow when the following four conditions are met:

• Nutrients (sebum, sweat, dust, etc.)
  
  
• Oxygen (mold is an aerobic bacteria)
  
  
• Temperature (0-45°C, preferably 20-40°C)
  
  
• Humidity (70% or more)
  
  

Mold can grow indoors not only during the rainy season, but also surprisingly in winter. Although we tend to think that the air is dry in winter, the humidity often rises due to condensation and humidity from heating .
In addition, sweat, sebum, and moisture left on the armor after practice are the perfect food source for mold. In other words, Japan's climate is an environment that is conducive to mold growth on armor all year round .

Measures to prevent mold from growing on protective gear

It is important to consider the conditions for mold growth and eliminate those factors as much as possible. Because temperature control is difficult, the main measures to take are humidity, dirt, and oxygen (sealing).

Wipe immediately after use

After practice, the first thing you should do is wipe the outside and inside of your armor immediately .
If sweat or sebum remains on the surface, it will become food for mold. After thoroughly wiping the mask, kote, and do with a wet tenugui or towel, it is important to wipe off all moisture with a dry cloth .

Tip : Sweat easily seeps into the inside of the gloves, so be sure to wipe them carefully. Leaving them on can cause odor.

・Apply disinfectant spray

After wiping, it is recommended to use a disinfectant spray specifically for kendo armor .
Sprays specifically for protective gear made from natural materials (such as soy amino acids) are less likely to damage the material than commercially available alcohol-based sprays, and are also more effective at deodorizing and disinfecting.

💡Trivia : This spray for protective gear is antibacterial and preserves the texture of the indigo dye, making it ideal for those who are concerned about the indigo fading.

Dry in a well-ventilated place

After wiping your protective gear, it is most important to remove any moisture from it .
Avoid direct sunlight and dry in a well-ventilated place. Indigo dyed materials are sensitive to ultraviolet rays, so it is best to dry them in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight .

High temperatures using a hair dryer or dryer can cause shrinkage and deformation. It is safer to dry gently using a fan or circulator.

・Don't leave it out

Even if you are not going to use your protective gear for a long period of time, it is strictly forbidden to leave it in a bag or box.
To remove moisture, **air out in the shade (to prevent insects)** once a year.

Additionally, paulownia wood boxes are ideal for storage. Paulownia wood is a traditional material that is excellent for regulating humidity, and is antibacterial and insect-repellent, and is also used to store kimonos and dolls.
If you have the space, one idea is to display the armor as an interior decoration. Looking at the armor will also motivate you to practice every day.

What to do if mold grows

No matter how careful you are, mold can grow on your armor.
Here we will introduce how to deal with mold depending on its progression.

・Only the surface

Remove with a brush <br data-end="2112" data-start="2109">If the mold is still only visible on the surface, gently scrape it off with a shoe polish brush or toothbrush . Be careful as it can easily get into seams and weaves.
If the salt from sweat has floated to the surface as a white layer, do not wet a larger area before rubbing it, as this may cause the color to fade.

Finish with disinfectant spray and dry. <br data-end="2253" data-start="2250">Even if the armor looks clean, mold spores may still remain. Spray it with a disinfectant spray specifically for armor and leave it to dry thoroughly in a well-ventilated area.

・When mold has spread inside

If the problem recurs even after wiping the surface, it means that the mold has penetrated inside .
In this case, dry the back side in the sun for a short time to kill the mold with ultraviolet rays.
However, be sure to avoid the indigo-dyed surface. Indirect sunlight from the back is sufficient.

Don't forget to take measures against mold on armor bags, etc.

If mold grows on the armor itself, there is a high possibility that mold is also growing in the armor bag or storage box .
If it's made of cloth, wash it, and if it's made of cardboard, go ahead and replace it with a new one.
It would be pointless to clean your armor only to have it return to its original moldy state.

You can also ask a professional to do it for you.

If the mold is severe or you are unsure about cleaning it yourself, contact a professional kendo armor cleaning company .
Professionals will clean and disinfect deep into the fibers, so not only will they improve the appearance but they will also eliminate odors.
Regular cleaning will also help extend the life of your protective gear and keep it clean .

Taking care of your armor means honing your mind

In the world of kendo, it is said that "it begins and ends with courtesy."
This applies not only to people, but also to your own armor.
Carefully caring for the protective gear you use in training will help you improve yourself .

The accumulation of small daily care not only makes the armor last longer, but also develops the mindset of a swordsman.
Starting today, let's take the time to keep our protective gear and our minds pure.