Jeans, the timeless wardrobe staple, have the potential to endure for years if treated with care. As a devoted denim enthusiast, I’m aware of the burning questions surrounding proper jeans washing techniques. How often should you wash your jeans? Should fabric softener be used? And, most importantly, how can you preserve your beloved denim pieces?
In the realm of denim aficionados, abstaining from washing your jeans is the key to achieving the coveted raw fade effect. However, this no-wash method requires unwavering dedication and patience, as it may take months or even years to break in a pair of raw jeans.
Follow these tips to enhance the longevity of your jeana and keep them in tip top condition!
1. Launder your jeans inside out on a cold gentle cycle. This not only preserves the life of your jeans but helps reduce the amount of energy your machine will use to clean your garments therefore helping the planet. Washing your jeans on a cold cycle prevents shrinkage and colour fading. This Is specifically important when washing dark coloured or black jeans to ensures they hold their colour .
2. Use a detergent that doesn't contain bleaching agent. The bleach can fade and weaken the fabric. Use a specialist denim wash detergent, these reduce colour fading and preserve the indigo.
4. Spot clean your jeans with a cloth, toothbrush or soft nail brush between washes to remove stains and soils. Use a mild soap or detergent and remove dirt in a circular motion.
5. Use a waterless wash spray between washes to kill bacterial reduce odour and make your jeans Smell Spring fresh.
6. Line dry your jeans and never put your jeans in the dryer, using a dryer can shrink your jeans and warp the fabric. using a dryer and will create wrinkles and wear your denim fabric down faster than air drying. The lint you find in you dryer is actually fabric damage and wear. Always line & air dry where possible.
7. When to wash your jeans depends also on how much you wear them As a rule of thumb, a regular pair of jeans should be washed after every 10 or so wears, However if you have purchased a pair of raw denim jeans and are looking to obtain some unique fades and honeycombing effects wash your jeans as little as possible for the 1st few months But nobody likes a smelly pair of jeans so use a wash spray in between washes. You can rinse your jeans in the bath in cold or luke warm water before your first wear to allow for shrinkage. The less you wash your raw jeans the better the high low contrast will be on your fades.