WASHING JEANS – HOW TO GUIDE

How often should you wash jeans? If you ask a proper denim enthusiast, they’ll tell you that you should wear your jeans for at least six months before washing them in the washing machine. Although holding off on washing your denim may sound a bit gross, it’s actually great advice. Washing jeans too early can destroy the natural wear that makes them unique, and prevents them from shaping to (and flattering) your body properly. That said, accidents do happen, especially with children’s jeans. So, the question is: how do you wash jeans in a gentle way, for both the garment and the environment?

HOW TO HAND WASH JEANS

If you stain your jeans, it might be enough to simply spot-treat the stain so that you don’t have to wash the whole garment unnecessarily. But, if you are going to wash your jeans, the best way is to hand wash them. All you need is a tub and some detergent. A common myth is that you need to wash jeans before you wear them. Wrong! Never wash jeans before wearing. But, when the time comes, you can hand wash jeans like this:    

• Leave your jeans in cold water with a pinch of detergent for at least an hour 
• Don’t rub the fabric as this risks staining the denim 
• Treat any stains carefully with detergent and a soft sponge  
• Spot treat stubborn stains before soaking by gently dabbing the area 
• Gently press the water out (without wringing or twisting)  
• Hang your clean jeans and let them dry 

Side note: if anyone ever told you to freeze your jeans, don’t. You can’t ‘wash’ your jeans in the freezer because regular household freezers aren’t actually cold enough to kill all the bacteria.

HOW TO DRY JEANS

Never tumble dry jeans. This wears the fabric and causes the denim to lose its shape. Instead, hang your freshly washed jeans out to dry naturally. Air drying saves energy. A single tumble dryer can create a tonne of carbon dioxide per year. Top tip! Avoid hanging jeans in direct sunlight as this can cause colour fading. How to dry jeans faster? Hang them near a breezy open window or a dehumidifier, and be sure to press as much water out as possible before hanging.

HOW TO WASH JEANS IN THE WASHING MACHINE

Although it’s best to find alternatives to washing jeans in the washing machine, you might not always have a choice. Try hand washing or spot-treating jeans before you resort to washing them in the machine. But, if your jeans still need a machine wash, you can follow these simple steps to wash them as gently as possible:  

• Wash jeans inside-out to avoid colour loss. 
• Zip up and button up to avoid catching or snagging other garments.  
• Wash the same colours together. This is especially important if you’re going to wash black or bright coloured jeans that can run and destroy other garments. 
• Wash up to or below 30°C. This saves energy and prevents wearing.  
• Wash jeans without rinse aid to avoid wearing.  
• Never tumble dry jeans. Let them air dry and hang instead.

HOW TO WASH JEANS WITHOUT SHRINKING

Jeans shrink in hot water. Sometimes even in warm water. Always wash jeans in cold or lukewarm water. Never exceed 30°C. Even if the instructions tell you to wash your jeans at 60°C (or even 90°C), ignore them. You should never wash a pair of jeans at a higher temperature than 30. If the stain is really severe, you can push it (just a little) by washing at 40°C. But never go any higher than that.

HOW TO WASH JEANS WITHOUT FADING

Always wash jeans with similar garments and colours. Since jeans can easily lose colour in both the machine and when you handwash them. Never exceed 30°C when washing. Washing jeans in cold water and vinegar can also be an effective way of retaining colour. Sounds weird, but the strong smell should disappear after the jeans dry. Always use white vinegar. One cup will do.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BLACK JEANS BLACK

Wash black jeans as rarely as possible to avoid colour fading. Also, wash black garments together to avoid dis-colouring – both the jeans themselves, and other garments. When choosing detergent for black jeans, it’s important to use a detergent without bleach. If you want to wash white jeans, always wash them with the rest of your white laundry and not with other colors.

BATHING WITH JEANS, A GOOD IDEA?

Sure, it may sound strange to go swimming with your jeans on. But, if you have a pair of jeans you really love and you want them to keep their shape – trust us – take a bath. First, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and a little bit of shower wash. Soak in the water for a little while (maybe ten minutes) before getting out and hanging your jeans up to dry. Another trick is to put on a pair of freshly washed and damp jeans. Sit down, bend your legs and move around a little. The jeans will form around your legs and won’t lose their shape as easily after washing.