"You shouldn't wash jeans, as that adds character."
Many of you have likely heard that sentiment before.
Furthermore, I imagine some of you hesitate to wash your jeans for fear of fading or shrinkage.
To give you the conclusion first: not washing your jeans at all will actually cause damage to them.
Dirty jeans are nothing but a hotbed for germs.
If you don't wash jeans that have absorbed sebum, sweat, and dirt, bacteria and mold will proliferate, which ends up damaging the jeans.
The best way to make your jeans last is to wear them in and wash them properly and moderately.
In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of not washing your jeans.
Are there any benefits to not washing jeans?
The biggest benefit of not washing jeans is that it prevents color fading from washing, allowing you to create jeans with your own unique character.
Looking into the voices of denim enthusiasts...
We often hear opinions like the ones below, suggesting that you shouldn't wash them in order to treasure the "fading" and "color tone."
- If you wash them, the overall color of the jeans fades evenly, so you can't get that linear fading known as "whiskers."
- I don't want to wash them as much as possible to keep the perfect color tone.
- They take on a more natural color if you don't wash them.
- Not washing them results in higher-contrast fading.
Indeed, the indigo used in jeans is a delicate dye that is very vulnerable to friction, UV rays, and air oxidation.
Washing your jeans is essentially the act of stripping away that indigo.
Because of this, it is easy to understand the desire not to wash them, stemming from thoughts like, "I don't want to fade this beautifully dyed indigo," or "I want to enjoy original fading by wearing them in."
However, by not washing your jeans to enjoy the fading, you are actually causing significant damage to them.
From here on, we will explain the disadvantages of not washing your jeans.
Bacteria and mold run rampant in unwashed jeans!
Jeans are made of "cotton," a material vulnerable to oils.
What happens if you keep wearing jeans like that without washing them?
Sebum and sweat are absorbed into the jeans, and bacteria and mold begin to multiply.
We will introduce the disadvantages that occur to jeans as bacteria and mold increase.
1. The fabric becomes damaged and prone to tearing
If you keep wearing jeans without washing them, sweat, sebum, and dirt accumulate, and bacteria and mold breed.
If you continue to wear jeans where bacteria and mold have occurred without washing them, the bacteria and mold will multiply rapidly, and actually eat the fibers of the fabric.
Because of this, the fabric becomes damaged and prone to tearing.
2. They start to smell
It goes without saying, but sweat, sebum, and dirt don't just damage the fabric; they also cause odor.
If there is an odor, it is proof that bacteria and mold are breeding heavily.
No matter how wonderful the jeans are, if they give off an odor, their appeal will plummet.
3. They are unhygienic
For instance, what would you think if someone kept wearing a T-shirt or dress shirt without washing it?
You would feel it is unhygienic, right?
The same applies to jeans.
Just because you cannot see or feel it, jeans get dirty just like any other clothing when you wear them.
It is very unhygienic to keep wearing dirty jeans without washing them.
Even if you managed to create your own original jeans while enjoying the fading by not washing them, it defeats the purpose if those jeans end up tearing, emitting a foul odor, or being unhygienic and harmful to your health.
You only don't have to wash raw denim for a certain period!
There are types of jeans, called raw denim or rigid denim, for which not washing is recommended.
Since they have not been washed during processing and still have the sizing (starch) on them, they become jeans with character as you wear them in.
However, it is not the case that even raw or rigid denim should never be washed.
It is better not to wash them for about six months to a year after purchase.
By wearing them without washing during that period, you can enjoy original, unique fading, such as "whiskers" at the hip creases and "honeycombs" behind the knees.
Once that custom fading period is over, it is better to wash them moderately just like other jeans to use them for a long time without damaging the fabric.
To use your jeans for a long time, the best approach is to wear them in and wash them properly and moderately!
While not washing jeans prevents color fading and allows you to enjoy your own unique texture, I hope you now understand that not washing is also one of the causes of damaging jeans, and that it is not good for hygiene either.
"Well then, I'll wash them thoroughly every time I wear them!"
Some of you might think that, but washing them in the machine every single time is also an incorrect care method.
Unless you are concerned about dirt or odors, you should aim to wash your jeans once every 5 to 6 wears.
Furthermore, the washing method is very important to protect your jeans from color fading and friction!
When washing jeans, please try to be conscious of the following points.
Chinos made by a jeans store [Hybrid Chino] Black / Men's
9 points for washing jeans
- To avoid friction and color transfer to other clothes, wash them separately whenever possible.
- Hot water is a no-go! Wash with cold water to prevent color fading and shrinkage.
- Hand washing is better than a washing machine.
- Use neutral detergent.
- Wash jeans inside out.
- Put jeans with distressed/damage finishing into a laundry net.
- If using a washing machine, use the delicate or hand-wash mode.
- Take them out immediately after washing and smooth out wrinkles.
- Hang dry in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
Also, if you are concerned about your jeans' odor but they aren't quite ready for a full wash, you can eliminate the odor by letting them air dry in the shade or using steam from an iron.
The best approach for your favorite jeans is to wear them in and wash them properly and moderately!
It would be great to perform proper care and keep them clean for long-term use.
We introduce detailed washing methods for jeans in this article, so please check it out.
