The image of kendo = smelly is well established in society, but nowadays, armor can be washed. There are types of armor that can be washed in the washing machine, but having it dry cleaned can make your armor surprisingly clean and comfortable. In this article, we will introduce the basics of cleaning protective gear.

The need for cleaning

Nowadays, there are gauntlets available that can be washed in a washing machine, so many people wash their protective gear at home. Certainly, if it is inexpensive armor or armor that wears out quickly and is used daily for club activities, etc., this method will save you money and the hassle of sending the armor to the dry cleaners. But what about washing armor that you received as a gift from a loved one or high-quality armor? First of all, you're probably worried about damage or losing its shape, so you probably won't use a washing machine. Even if you wash it by hand, you're always worried about whether all the dirt will be removed, and whether it will fade or become damaged. If your armor is important, you may feel uneasy about washing it yourself. However, these concerns can be alleviated by having a dry cleaner take care of it. Professionals can wash your armor with an understanding of its characteristics, adjust the drying time to suit the material, and offer optional dyeing services if the color is faded, which can be difficult for an amateur to judge. In order to keep your precious protective gear clean and comfortable to use, it is important to have it dry cleaned from time to time.

Benefits of cleaning

Sweat itself is odorless, but if left unattended, it can mix with sebum and dirt, breeding bacteria and causing an unpleasant odor. Dry cleaning thoroughly removes the salt from sweat. Once the salt is removed, the armor becomes clean and odorless, and the bedding becomes softer and feels different to the touch. Furthermore, once the weight of accumulated sweat is gone, the armor feels much lighter. In particular, the gloves come into direct contact with the skin, so you can feel the sliminess inside your hands disappear, and it's easy to enjoy the refreshing feeling when wearing them. Washing them at home may give you a slightly refreshing feeling, but it's difficult to feel such an effect. If you think that cleaning is just about making your armor clean and removing odors, you will be pleasantly surprised. The appeal of armor cleaning is that it can improve the feel and durability of your armor.

price

Below are the prices for general armor cleaning.

• Face: 2,000 to 5,000 yen
• Kote (both hands)...2,000 to 4,000 yen
• Body...about 1,500 yen (few stores sell this)
• Dripping... 2,000 to 4,000 yen

Of course, there are shops that charge more than the prices listed here. As the price goes up, they often include not only stain removal but also glossy coating treatments. In addition, there are various services available depending on the price, such as different prices for machine stitching and hand stitching, discounts for complete sets, and free cleaning of armor bags.

Things to check before sending for cleaning

Before sending your armor for cleaning, check that there is no damage. If there is any damage, they may not accept it. Some dry cleaners run by armor shops will repair the armor at the same time as cleaning, so it may be a good idea to ask them. The leather on the inside of the gauntlets, in particular, may shrink when cleaned. For this reason, it is a good idea to have it cleaned at the same time as having it repaired. If the item is in very poor condition, it may not be possible to clean it due to deterioration of the leather, material, or tailoring. If you are concerned, please call the dry cleaner and ask before bringing or sending it in. Those who wear white armor should also be careful. After cleaning white armor, the fibers inside the fabric may come to the surface, causing uneven coloring (especially if the fibers are red, this will be particularly noticeable against the white background). Unlike regular indigo-dyed armor, it cannot be re-dyed, so some dry cleaners do not offer this service. If you are concerned about this, it is a good idea to consult a dry cleaner.

How to choose a restaurant

In addition to specialized dry cleaning shops for protective gear, there are now major dry cleaning chains that also handle protective gear. However, it is important to note that general dry cleaning shops do not necessarily have skilled craftsmen who specialize in cleaning protective gear. Armor is made from a variety of materials, including leather, metal, and cotton, and some materials are not very water-resistant. Leaving these materials exposed to water for extended periods will naturally cause damage. Unless armor is handled by someone who understands the characteristics of each material, the condition of the armor may deteriorate after cleaning. If you are going to take the trouble of having your armor cleaned, we recommend that you leave it to a shop with specialized craftsmen who understand the characteristics of armor.

Cleaning process

We will introduce the basic process for cleaning protective gear.

• Status check We assess the condition of each piece of armor, checking for any areas that are particularly dirty or damaged, and then decide whether or not it can be cleaned. If the condition is too bad, we may be turned away at this stage.

• Cleaning There are various types of cleaning available, including microbubble cleaning to remove dirt from every corner. Women often get foundation on the inside of their face masks, which can lead to mold growth, but there are also detergents that can break down the ingredients in cosmetics. Dry cleaners are careful to clean the armor without damaging it, and to ensure it is clean.

• Drying Drying the armor too quickly will make it hard, while drying it too slowly will cause mold to grow. Controlling this delicate time is where the craftsman's skill is put to the test. There are also methods such as using far-infrared dryers to dry the armor from its core.

• antibacterial Soaking the armor in an antibacterial solution or using a coating agent can help keep the armor clean for longer. Sometimes the antibacterial treatment is applied during the cleaning process rather than during the finishing stage. If antibacterial treatment is being performed, the item will be dried again and the cleaning will be complete.

The detailed process varies depending on the shop, but basically, armor is cleaned in this way.

option

Dye Master Armor Indigo Dye Restoration Solution (2,376 yen including tax) This is an indigo dye restoration liquid specifically for armor. It dyes both navy leather and cotton beautifully. Many stores offer the option of re-dyeing if the color has faded after cleaning. If you request re-dyeing, it's a good idea to check in advance whether the repair is a simple spray of indigo or whether the item will be properly soaked in the dye. In the case of simple repairs, the dyeing strength may be weak, and conversely, if you are soaking the item in dye, the embroidery and other parts will all be dyed, so care must be taken. Most repairs will include a color-fixing treatment at the end, which will prevent future fading. If you are unsure about the effectiveness of the cleaning service, it is a good idea to choose a cleaning shop that offers a guarantee. If there is still an odor or stains that have not been removed, a cleaning shop with a guarantee will be able to provide a free re-cleaning service.

summary

Cleaning your armor not only makes it cleaner, but also increases its durability and makes it fit your body better. In addition to reducing odors, we also recommend giving cleaning a try to ensure your armor lasts a long time. At BUSHIZO, an online store for kendo armor, we recommend professional armor cleaning services called "Kensen." https://bushizo.com/media/201709/998/ https://bushizo.com/media/201708/951/ https://bushizo.com/media/201706/6/

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