If there is a staple that never misses people’s closets, it has to be denim. Americans and people all over the world love it to the point that Andy Warhol once said, “I want to die with my blue jeans on.”
However, ensuring you get the most from your favorite fabric takes a little more than throwing it in the laundry basket, and proper care helps extend the life of denim to maintain its top quality. So, to help you out, I have compiled techniques for cleaning, drying, and even storing denim pieces for longevity.
Best Practices for Washing Denim
Before you even get to wash it, proper denim care starts with wearing it right.
For instance, when I have my jeans on, I don’t do laundry or clean the pool. The reason is simple: if any chemical containing a bleaching agent lands on my denim, it’ll be adorned with white spots.
Another measure I take is that I avoid going to the beach and sitting on the sand because the sand wears the denim. Getting into the water is also a no-no because the salt water also wears out the denim fibers over time. This applies to all denim pieces—trousers, skirts, hats, or jackets.
Now that you know how to wear denim right, let me take you through the jean pre-wash preparations I live by. Before washing, I always:
- Remove any items in the pockets.
- Turn my jeans inside out to protect the outer surface.
- Zip all zippers and button all buttons.
- Separate light and dark denim to prevent color transfer.
- Spot-treat any visible stains (we’ll get into that shortly).
After that, I use this secret formula to clean my jeans:
Detergent and Water Temperature
First, I choose the right detergent and water temperature to preserve my denim’s integrity. I typically opt for a gentle, liquid detergent designed for dark clothes.
Cold water is your best friend when it comes to washing denim—it helps prevent fading and maintains the fabric’s structure. Hot water can cause shrinkage, ruin the elasticity, and accelerate color loss, so save the heat for heavily soiled workwear.
Another tip is to wash all your jeans together. This way, you avoid color transference from one fabric to another.
Odor and Bacteria Management
I loathe it when my jeans catch a funky smell, and I bet you do, too. So, how do you prevent this?
Turn your jeans inside out before washing to better target areas that come into direct contact with your skin. For between-wash freshening, I find that when I hang my jeans outside on a breezy day or use a fabric refresher spray designed for denim it works wonders.
Before I proceed, there is a myth that some denim enthusiasts swear by to remove odor, and that is to freeze jeans to kill bacteria. I disagree because freezing isn’t effective. I tried, and it did not work. The simple science behind this is that the moisture holding on to the funkiness freezes. When you thaw your jeans, the ice melts, and the funk remains. No effect.
The best remedy is to clean it right. No shortcuts here.
Oh, one more thing. If you want your jeans to last, do it by hand and avoid the washing machine.
Levi’s CEO Charles Burgh once said “True denim heads, people that really love their denim, will tell you to never put your denim into a washing machine.”
This has become a rule I live by.
How to Dry and Store Your Denim for Long-Lasting Wear
After you have properly cleaned your Levi or Wrangler Jeans with cold water and the appropriate detergent, it’s time to dry them. The following are a few methods I suggest.
Drying Methods
While it might be tempting to toss them in the dryer, air drying is the gold standard for denim care.
Hang your jeans by the belt loops, ensuring they’re smooth and wrinkle-free. If you must use a dryer, set to the lowest heat level and remove them while they are slightly damp. This prevents over-drying and shrinkage. Proceed to hang them somewhere with proper ventilation to dry out all the remaining moisture.
All parts, including the crotch area and seams, must be dry to the touch.
Storage Methods
After your denim pieces are dry, fold your jeans neatly and place them in a cool, dry spot. Don’t hang them for extended periods, as this can create unwanted creases and distort the shape. If you’re storing seasonal items, ensure they’re clean and completely dry to prevent mildew growth.
Special Care for Different Denim Types
Throughout the history of denim, you’ll come across a variety of denim types. There is raw, white, and colored denim. Denim types could also depend on their source—American, Japanese, Italian, or Turkish.
Ideally, you might be able to differentiate the types based on the clothing label, but the cleaning methods usually rely on color. Here is how you care for each.
Raw Denim
Raw denim usually has a dark and deep indigo blue, which may have a subtle sheen. It’s usually heavier than the rest.
To clean this type, first, avoid dipping your raw denim after every errand. The best way to keep this type in top shape is a hand wash in cold water. Never use harsh detergents and always hang it upside down and air dry.
White Denim
White denim appears white or off-white and is lighter in weight. White denim is usually bleached during production to manipulate the patterns. For this reason, this type is used in varying patterns, including tie and die.
To clean this type, separate from darker denim and use oxygen-based brighteners instead of chlorine bleach. Using bleach will run the fibers thin and cause them to tear under pressure. This type also calls for air drying.
Colored Denim
Coloured denim comes in all other hues; black, red, purple, and more. It’s also lighter than raw denim simply because the fibers were both bleached and coloured during production. For this type use color-protecting detergents, turn the jeans inside out, hand wash with cold water, and air dry. Avoid direct sunlight in these types.
How to Tackle Common Denim Stains
When it comes to removing stains, speed is your ally. The longer a stain sits, the harder it becomes to remove. Here’s how to handle common culprits step by step:
Oil and Grease
- Blot (don’t rub) with paper towels.
- Apply cornstarch or baby powder to absorb excess oil.
- Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Brush off and treat with dish soap before washing.
Ink
- Place a paper towel behind the stain.
- Dab with rubbing alcohol.
- Wash normally in cold water.
- Check the stain before drying—repeat if necessary.
Food Stains
- Scrape off excess material.
- Pre-treat with enzyme-based stain remover.
- Let sit for 15 minutes.
- Wash according to the care label.
Final Thoughts on When to Wash Jeans
Finally, let’s answer, “when to wash jeans?”
I like washing my jeans after two to three wears; however, experts like Levi’s suggest you clean them after ten wears. The fabric type might dictate the period between washes.
For instance, raw denim might have a longer period because they don’t show the dirt, however, white denim will require frequent washes to avoid yellowing.
The other extreme I have also seen is over-washing.
Over-washing any jeans—Italian, Japanese, or American-made workwear or leisurewear—can be just as damaging as neglect. Pay attention to your jeans; if they’re not visibly dirty or don’t have any odors, they probably don’t need washing yet. Remember that different denim types may require slight variations in care, so always check the manufacturer’s care label for specific instructions.
Clean using this formula and wear your jeans everywhere; Hallie Jackson says, “A great pair of jeans works anywhere from a campaign rally to a fancy fundraiser.”
Sources
AZ Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.azquotes.com/quote/782181
Clifford, C. (2023, October 10). How often should you wash your jeans? Levi’s CEO settles the debate. CNBC. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/10/how-often-should-you-wash-your-jeans-levis-ceo-settles-debate.html
Denue. (n.d.). The denim titans: USA, Italy, Japan, and Turkey. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.denue.ca/blog/the-fabric/the-denim-titans-usa-italy-japan-and-turkey
Tulip Color. (n.d.). DIY statement-colored denim with tie-dye. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://tulipcolor.com/blogs/projects/diy-statement-colored-denim-with-tie-dye
Levi’s. (n.d.). The definitive guide to denim. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/blog/article/the-definitive-guide-to-denim
BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Hallie Jackson quotes. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/hallie_jackson_1153757
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Wrangler. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/brand-names/wrangler
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Which workwear brands are American-made? Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/blog/which-workwear-brands-are-american-made
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.