Breaking in a new gi

I got a new gi shipped in and its stiff as hell just wanted to know if I should just show up to class with it and hope it softens up or should I wash it. also How do you wash a gi? :redface:

 

Opinions vary but I like the feel of a washed and dried gi, some people will hang dry. Experiment with drying because they will often shrink a lot. I wear an A4 but usually need to shrink it a fair bit. But because I like to wash and dry them I don't want to get an A3 because you have to take that much more time to prevent shrinkage.

 

Fabric softener.
Putting it in a dryer on no heat with some Tennis Balls will break it in too.

 

I always wash and dry a new Gi. My SYR SuperLite I can put in the dryer and wont shrink but I have to hang dry my Redstar.