Washing jeans may not be brain surgery, but it still leaves us scratching our heads. There are a lot of theories about the right way to clean your jeans and even how often, if any, you should throw them in the washing machine. While this denim dilemma won’t keep us up at night (usually), it’s worth solving, or at least investigating.
That’s because knowing how to properly care for your jeans can extend their lifespan by years, if not decades. If you’ve spent quite a bit of money on a nice pair of jeans, you’ll want to ensure a good return on your investment – that is, they stay comfortable without sagging. So, to answer all your tricky denim washing questions, we’ve put together top tips and recommendations on how to clean your jeans to keep them looking their best, as well as pitfalls to avoid.
Read on for our complete guide to washing your jeans properly.
Jeans – but Less Washing
Continue to lighten the burden – that is, the burden of laundry. Basically, if your jeans aren’t visibly dirty and don’t smell bad, they’re considered “clean” (read: no wash cycle required). The washing efficiency of the washing machine may be high, but all the rinsing, dehydration, and repetition processes are not the gentlest for denim. The more you can avoid it, the better.
While it may be tempting to wear your favorite Levi’s jeans over and over again (it’s hard to find the perfect fit, after all), consider alternating them with other jeans so that each pair stays relatively clean for longer. Buying high-quality denim (if you can) also helps. High-quality jeans tend to hold their shape better after multiple wears and are less prone to wrinkling. This means that you can wash less often, which reduces the stress on the fabric.
Spot Clean Isolated Stains
If your jeans pass the smell test, but you notice a little stain (perhaps a consequence of eating pasta), there’s nothing to lose. Don’t throw them in the washing machine, but try to localize isolated stains. To do this, simply apply the laundry stain remover product directly to the problematic area. After a few minutes, use a clean, damp cloth to soak and wipe off the stain. If you’re looking for some light-hearted but very practical reading, check out our stain removal guide for makeup stains, nail polish stains, and period stains, as we’ve all been there.
Read Garment Labels
If you happen to have a dazzling pair of jeans in your denim collection, then, first of all, how polarizing your fashion is. But more importantly, you need to think twice before throwing them away. Some jeans, especially those with embellishments – pearls, lace, crystal studs, etc. – may require special care. So be sure to check if there are any washing instructions on the garment label and follow them – even if they’re not what you’d like. There’s a reason it says “dry clean only” and “hand wash only”.
Don’t Be Afraid to Wash Your Hands
If you’re lucky enough to get the dreaded “Hand Wash Only” label on your jeans, then listen up: handwashing may sound like a hassle, but the truth is, it can help extend the life of your jeans. While it’s not as convenient as simply filling the washing machine in the washing machine and walking away, it’s also not as difficult as you might think.
First, pour about six inches of warm water into the tub and pour it into a lid filled with mild laundry detergent to mix (FYI: laundry detergents designed for baby laundry work well). Next, soak the jeans in the tub, lay them flat, and soak for 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, squeeze out as much water as possible, and hang to dry. And don’t forget to add some music in the background and unleash the zen spirit. People, this is called laundry meditation therapy.
Sort the Laundry
Well, if you’ve been wearing your jeans a few times and you find that they’re starting to look and smell a little trendy, then consider putting them in the washing machine to wash them. But try to follow these guidelines first before throwing them away with other clothing.
When pre-washing, classify jeans according to their color intensity (e.g., never put light-colored jeans in the same laundry as black jeans) to avoid fabric dye transfer. Also, keep jeans separate from other clothing items to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the fabric, which is worth avoiding unless you want to ruin the appearance of your denim as it can cause thinning and tearing.
Turn Your Jeans Upside Down
Here’s a handy tip that can make a real difference to how well your jeans turn off in a long-term wash: be sure to turn your jeans over before putting them in the washing machine. This helps to reduce fabric bleeding and reduces friction on the denim “surface” (aka the outside).
Correct Machine Wash Method
Lingerie and jeans may not sound like they have much in common, but they are both “subtle” when it comes to washing. This setting helps protect the fabric as it uses a lower stirring speed and a shorter wash cycle. As a result, jeans are less likely to stretch or tear. Choosing cold water over hot water can also help prevent shrinkage.
Oh, and resist the urge to overload the machine. Just because you can put a month’s worth of jeans in the wash, doesn’t mean you should. While the recommended number of jeans to load may vary depending on the size of the washing machine, it is generally considered a maximum of four pairs.
Frozen Raw Denim
Of course, freezing isn’t really washing jeans. But if you’re a fan of raw denim, then this might be the “clean” method for you. Since raw denim is likely to shrink during washing, freezing jeans can be another cleaning method. This will kill the bacteria on the fabric without affecting the custom and sacred form of the original jeans.
To freeze jeans, place them in a large ziplock bag and place them in the freezer. At least let them stay overnight. You need to warm them up before putting them on, unless you’re living for the thrill of the cold.
Add Salt and Vinegar to Your Load
Simple household ingredients go a long way in solving everyday laundry problems. Take salt and vinegar, for example, which help to shape the dyes of jeans. This prevents bleeding and retains the fabric color for a longer period of time. Bleeding usually occurs when you wash new jeans for the first time – especially dark jeans – so at least try this trick the first time you wash new jeans. And don’t worry about smelling like salt and vinegar chips (even if we don’t think it’s a bad thing) because the smell will disappear when the fabric dries. However, if you find yourself missing the smell of clean clothes, spray on some perfume.
To machine wash, add a cup of white vinegar and a quarter cup of salt to the cold wash water. Wash your hands by simply adding salt and vinegar to a cold bath.
Dried
The biggest enemy of jeans is the chaotic dryer. While it is effective at drying clothes, it is also notorious for fading, shrinking, and worn-out jeans. So why not hang them up and drip dry, which is not only the easiest on the fabric, but it also reduces wrinkles and helps your jeans stay in shape.
Here’s how to do it: Hang the legs of your wet jeans on a sturdy trouser rack and place them on a shower rod or rack to air dry. It is also possible to hang the jeans on belt loops on two separate hooks. If the weather and space allow, it’s easy (literally) to hang jeans on your lap using a clothesline and nails.
When (And How) to Use the Dryer
While we don’t generally tolerate the use of a dryer, it won’t be so bad to do so in some cases. For example, if your jeans have a lot of stretch and you want to restore them to their original snug condition, then yes, the clothes will dry out. Also, let’s be honest: there’s nothing more convenient than a dryer, especially when we’re pressed for time. Just make it the exception rather than the habit.
To get the most out of your dryer, set the machine to its lowest heat setting for half a cycle and make sure to turn your jeans over. They should still be a little damp when you take them off, so hang them up to dry the rest.
