"I'm worried that if I wash my jeans, they'll fade and be ruined."
Perhaps you are one of those people who avoids washing your favorite pair of jeans?
However, jeans are clothes. If you don't wash them, odors from sweat and sebum can soak in and become impossible to remove.
If you wash your jeans correctly, you can keep them in good condition for a long time.
In this article, we will explain how to wash your jeans to prevent fading and loss of shape, and provide tips on what to do before washing them.
Bell-bottom Jeans Used Color/Unisex
You should wash your jeans! Here's why
It is often said that it is better not to wash jeans because you lose their color and texture once you wash them.
However, if you don't wash jeans occasionally, they are not only unhygienic, but the sweat and sebum can actually damage the fabric.
It can also lead to mold, which causes discoloration.
To enjoy your precious jeans for a long time, you actually need to wash them.
Let's maintain them by washing them at appropriate intervals.
Is there a risk of fading if I wash my jeans?
Jeans do fade when washed, but in fact, they also fade through daily wear even if you don't wash them.
Denim fabric was originally used for workwear because of its durability, and it has been loved for its texture that develops over time.
The important thing is "how you wash them" to finish them exactly the way you like.
The beauty of jeans is that you can achieve a different finish every time you wash them.
Please wash them well and enjoy the changing color of your jeans.
How often to wash jeans
You should wash your jeans about once every 5 to 6 wears.
If you are concerned about dirt or odors, it is perfectly fine to wash them sooner.
Precautions before washing jeans
There are some things you should know before you wash your jeans.
Let me explain them one by one.
Check the laundry label
Jeans were generally 100% cotton in the past, but recently, there is an increasing number of jeans made from various materials.
Before washing your jeans, check the laundry label on the back of the fabric to see if they can be washed.
Some detergents contain bleaching agents, so we recommend choosing a "neutral detergent" when washing your jeans.
Laundry labels are common to other types of clothing, so it's useful to remember them.
Please note that if the following mark is present, you cannot use detergents containing bleach.
Do not wash with other clothes
Washing jeans with other clothes may cause color transfer.
Also, washing multiple pairs of jeans together causes friction, so if you want to avoid fading as much as possible, we recommend washing them separately.
Wash with water, not hot water
Washing with hot water can cause fading and shrinking.
If you intentionally want to fade the indigo color to a certain degree, you can use hot water, but basically, if you want to minimize fading, wash with cold water.
Do not remove stains yourself
We do not recommend removing stains yourself, as you might cause localized discoloration and ruin the look of your jeans.
If you want to treat a stain on your jeans, consult a dry cleaner first.
Depending on the shop, some cleaners offer "color correction" to restore color after spot treatment.
B-1969-XX-J Selvedge Jeans Straight Selvedge Denim
How to wash jeans
"I want to avoid fading as much as possible."
"It's a hassle to wash them carefully..."
Perhaps you have some jeans that you want to wash but keep leaving unwashed?
However, you don't need to be so stressed about it. As long as you follow the minimum rules for washing jeans, you can keep wearing them for a long time without extra effort.
I will explain both hand-washing and machine-washing methods.
Hand-washing method to minimize fading
Hand-washing is recommended if you want to minimize fading.
Hand-washing reduces fabric abrasion compared to using a washing machine, thus reducing the stress on the jeans.
Be sure to wash them inside out.
Now, I will explain the specific steps.
You will need the following items:
- A large tub or washbasin
- Neutral detergent
If you don't have a large tub, you can use a bathroom sink or a bucket.
1. Add neutral detergent to the tub filled with water
Fill the tub with water and dissolve the neutral detergent before putting the jeans in.
The guide for the amount of detergent is 0.2% relative to the water.
Using too much detergent because you want to get them extra clean will make them fade faster. Follow the recommended amount on the detergent.
Also, be sure to use water, as hot water causes fading and shrinking.
2. Gently press-wash the inside-out jeans
To prevent the texture from changing due to friction, wash the jeans inside out as follows:
- Keep the dirty side facing out
- Gently press down
- Gently lift them up
Repeat this gentle press-washing with your palms for 5 to 10 minutes.
If you are worried about sweat or sebum dirt, we recommend letting them soak for about 5 to 10 minutes after press-washing.
However, be careful, as long soaking will cause too much color to come out.
B-1969-XX-RR2011-004 Okayama Selvedge Denim Cinch Back Jeans Rigid CINCH BUCKLE SELVEDGE DENIM RIGID
3. Rinsing
After washing, change the water and rinse the jeans.
If you use a neutral detergent, you don't need to be overly meticulous with rinsing. Rinsing 2 or 3 times until no suds remain is fine.
4. Spin-drying
Once rinsed, use the washing machine to spin-dry for 1 minute.
If water is still dripping after spin-drying, run the spin cycle again.
Steps for machine-washing to minimize shape loss
However, throwing them in the washing machine without thinking can cause fading and shape loss, so be careful.
When using a washing machine, at least follow these minimum points.
1. Use neutral detergent
Use a neutral detergent designed for delicate clothes.
Detergents containing surfactants or bleaching agents will accelerate fading.
Also, do not apply detergent directly to the jeans, as it causes uneven fading.
Fill the machine with water first, and always add the detergent before adding the jeans.
2. Turn jeans inside out before putting them in the machine
Before putting your jeans into the machine, turn them inside out.
A key point here is to close the buttons and zip to prevent shape loss.
To avoid color transfer, be careful not to wash them with other clothes.
Also, place jeans with distressed details in a laundry net.
3. Set a short wash time
If you run the washing machine on an automatic mode, the excessive washing will cause the color to fade further.
If your machine has a "delicate" or "hand-wash" mode, choose that.
For jeans you want to treat with extra care, set the washing, rinsing, and spinning times to about 1 minute each.
Can I use fabric softener?
Yes, you can use fabric softener for jeans.
It is not strictly necessary, but if you don't like the stiff feel of jeans, please feel free to use it.
510 Revival KD8 Denim Straight Jeans Straight Denim One-wash 14oz Denim
How to wash white jeans
You don't need to worry about fading white jeans, so washing them in a machine is fine.
When washing white jeans, you can use powdered detergent containing fluorescent whitening agents.
Also, using warm water instead of cold water will make it easier to remove dirt.
If only odors are a concern
If you are concerned about odors but don't feel like they need a full wash, try air-drying them in the shade.
Be sure to avoid direct sunlight when doing this.
If the weather is bad and you can't hang them outside, using iron steam is very effective at removing odors.
How to dry jeans to make them last longer
Drying them the wrong way can damage your jeans.
Please be careful with the following when drying your laundry.
Three points to keep in mind when drying jeans
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Dry in a well-ventilated area
- Smooth out wrinkles thoroughly
Using a dryer is a no-go, as it causes fabric shrinkage and damage. We recommend air-drying your jeans in the shade.
Direct sunlight can cause the jeans to burn and discolor, so choose a well-ventilated area.
If you are drying them outside, be sure to hang them inside out.
Also, drying them in a crumpled state will cause wrinkles, so once spin-drying is complete, shape them properly before hanging.
Zimbabwe Cotton Bell-bottom Jeans Red Color Denim/Unisex
How to speed up drying time
A downside of jeans is that they are slow to dry.
However, trying to dry them quickly under direct sunlight will only cause sun damage.
You can make jeans dry faster with just a little trick.
Here are two ways to speed up drying.
1. Hang them upside down
Instead of hanging them by the waist, hang them upside down by the hem.
Hanging them upside down helps smooth out wrinkles and results in a clean finish.
Since laundry dries from the top down, you can speed up the drying process by swapping the orientation halfway through.
2. Hang with a pinch hanger to create a cylindrical shape
A method of spreading and securing the waist area using a pinch hanger.
Creating a cylindrical shape allows air to flow through, helping it dry faster.
Enjoy the changing color of your jeans every time you wash them
It takes a bit of courage to wash your favorite jeans, doesn't it?
However, it is precisely because they are your favorite jeans that you should wash them.
If you wash them properly, you can enjoy their texture every time, making wearing them even more fun.
If you have been avoiding washing your jeans for fear of color fading, please use this article as a guide and try washing them at least once.
