Many of us (especially men) have a habit of wearing the same jeans until the fabric wears out completely and irrevocably. You share literally everything with jeans – shape, stains, tears, falls, climbing into a crowded bus, spilled soda, sauce and everything else you spent the last decade of your life with. And for most fans of denim fabric, this is the essence of a good pair of jeans.
It’s even a little romantic concept: an old piece of denim is unique to you so much that it becomes a continuation of your personality, giving shape to your every movement. Even if these gaps and marks were not really initially, but caused by your clumsy way through life, it still looks pretty cool, doesn’t it?
Like all materials, even such a strong denim fabric ceases to be wearable over time. But in many ways it depends on you how quickly it will happen.
How often do I wash jeans?
Never if you agree with Denim’s most zealous disciples. Although denim fabric is the most durable material in your wardrobe, originally designed for hard work, this fabric is much stronger outside than in a washing machine, where warm water and caustic detergents can change its shape and color.
Although it all depends on what jeans you have. Cheaper as well as lighter and thin jeans are usually pre-washed before purchase to soften the fabric and prevent dye from wiping and shrinkage of the material. They won’t last as long as the classic ones, but they’re easy to take care of. You can throw them into the washing machine at any time and not worry about the consequences.
Don’t be afraid to wash jeans if washing is exactly what they need now.
How to wash jeans properly
Remember that you don’t need to completely wash your jeans every time a light stain appears. The trace can be removed with a napkin or brush (for example, an old tooth).
When the denim fabric clearly needs refreshment, it is recommended to turn the jeans inside out and wash them at the lowest possible temperature.
If the denim fabric is dark and you are worried that it is painted, wash separately or with another denim fabric of a similar color. Be sure to use a soft detergent and add a lot of softener to prevent color loss, reduce the stiffness of the fabric. Limit the number of denim products in the car to three or four pairs to reduce friction and reduce fading.
Proper drying
The key to extending the life of denim fabric is drying. It is best to dry denim fabric in the air, decomposing it on a flat surface to keep its shape and avoid traces of folds. This is not always possible, more often we hang clothes for drying. In any case, it should be in the shade, not in the sun. Sunlight can distort the color and spoil your jeans. But if you turned them inside out (as recommended when washing), they will not be afraid of drying in the sun.
Drying jeans will naturally lead to the fact that at first they will be a little tough, but it will only take a short time for them to return to their normal softness, so don’t worry.
It is better to avoid drying denim fabric in a dryer. Prolonged exposure to heat on clothes will lead to fiber damage, shrinkage of jeans and accelerate the aging process.