How to properly wash and care for jeans so they last as long as possible

Useful tips

Jeans have long ceased to be clothing that was intended exclusively for the working class. Now they are a very stylish thing in our wardrobe, and some sophisticated fashionistas prefer to wear them even to various parties and social events.

Why do we love this item of clothing? Probably not always only for its convenience and versatility, but also for its durability and durability. Jeans can serve their owner for a very long time, several years. During this time, they are only able to emphasize the individuality of their owner.

Everyone who prefers this type of clothing is concerned about the issue of caring for it. Denim (jeans, or cotton fabric) does not belong to some capricious category of fabrics, however, a special approach is required

.

Any owner of this item should know how to properly care for jeans and wash them, how to maximize their service life without letting them lose their shape, and also prevent them from fading and losing their overall appearance. You can find out all this by reading the materials from this article.

Do I need to wash my jeans and when should I do it?

In fact, there are a lot of denim care products, so a reasonable question arises: do they need to be washed? Most people are sure that this fabric does not like being near water at all, since it can wear out from frequent washing, while other people believe that denim items need to be washed almost every day.

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According to scientists from
the Alberta Institute , the size and number of different bacteria found on jeans does not change
, no matter how long a person wears them. After some research, scientists came to the conclusion that after wearing jeans for fifteen months by one person, and about two weeks by another, the number of invisible bacteria on the fabric completely coincided.

Most different
experts assure that newly purchased new jeans in a store should be washed only after two weeks of wearing the product.
This is what contributes to the preservation of the color component of this product. When dealing with “raw” denim, it is recommended that you wash your trousers for the first time no earlier than six months later.

If you are concerned about the shape of your jeans

, it should be understood that any washing will only affect those types of trousers that have not been washed during their production.

It will take some time for your trousers to fit well on your figure.

In all other cases, washing jeans and jeans products does not play any role. What is much more important here is how carefully you dry your trousers.

Features of denim

Classic denim is made from cotton twill weave. This fabric is very dense, with a characteristic relief, comfortable to wear. Denim is often supplemented with threads with a synthetic base: this adds new properties. Stretch jeans with polyester have excellent stretch and fit perfectly to the figure.

Caring for natural and blended denim consists of a number of rules. The most basic ones are always indicated on the label.

How often to wash

Although no one forbids washing jeans every day, frequent contact with water and detergent will cause the fabric to lose its elasticity and color faster. The less frequently we wash our jeans, the longer they last. But this does not mean that you need to stay in your pants for a whole month, and only then wash off the ingrained layer of various dirt. Washing is always commensurate with wear: worn a little, then washed.

Washing steps: what you need to know when washing jeans

When it has become clear that water, in principle, is not something terrible for denim, as many imagine, you can begin the washing process.

1. Before you start washing, always read and read the label carefully

   .

2. You should take it as a rule: always, before any washing of denim clothes - you need to turn it to the other side

   .

   Read also:  What is the shelf life of washing powder and how to store it correctly?
3. Try to buy clothes made from this fabric the most gentle means

   .

4. If you put your pants in the washing machine, try so that the water flows into it exclusively cold

   . If for some reason this cannot be done, then let the water be at least warm or at room temperature. You should also know that it is best and preferable to wash denim products only by hand.

5. If your jeans are dark in color, then it is not recommended to wash them at all, and in some cases only dry cleaning

   .

6. Pants made from this fabric should not be soaked for a long time

   .

7. Experts do not recommend
   wringing out jeans
   .
8. If this is your first time washing denim or any denim, you should keep in mind that This fabric can shrink easily

   , especially if you use hot water when washing, or use a dryer.

Know that the more cotton there is in the product, the stronger and more intense it will shrink.

If it is not possible to wash or washing is prohibited

It is worth listening to the opinion of famous denim designers, such as the creator of the Levi's brand, Levi Strauss: to make jeans last for several years, wash them once every 2 months. There is no point in taking this advice to the point of absurdity, because today the fabrics of jeans vary greatly in composition, and the thing is so comfortable that you want to wear it every day. But you can take note of some tricks that will reduce the number of washes.

Dry cleaning

Folk remedies for dry and wet cleaning are salt, soda, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, vinegar solution and others. Can be used without water. To remove traces of the product, use a vacuum cleaner, an alcohol wipe, or simply wait until it dries.

Local wet cleaning

Stains can be treated with soapy water, dish soap (it effectively removes greasy marks), or soda slurry. Use a soft sponge or brush, be sure to rinse off the product with water.

Ventilation

An alternative to frequent washing is long-term airing. This method will help when there are no visible stains on the jeans, but body odor remains. The smell on the balcony will disappear within 24 hours.

Washing machine

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1. If your jeans are decorated with any decorative elements, which usually include beads, rhinestones, seed beads, sequins or appliqués

, it is more advisable to wash them in a bag specially designed for this.

2. Don’t forget to button up the item.

(If there are any).

3. Select the appropriate washing mode on the machine display. The latest models already have a ready-made “Jeans” mode. But if there is no such mode, then the manual or delicate wash mode

.

4. If you do not know the exact washing temperature of your product, then set the machine to 30-40 degrees

.

5. When spinning the product, set the minimum number of revolutions

. It is also recommended to remove the jeans from the machine and wring them out by hand. To do this, you should spread a thick terry cloth and lay your jeans on it, then roll them into a roll and press lightly.

6. When drying denim items, try to lay them on a horizontal surface, away from sunlight and heating appliances

on the floor covered with thick cotton cloth or a towel. To make your jeans dry much faster, you can place a fan nearby, this will significantly speed up the process.

Avoid drying your jeans as this can cause them to shrink and will inevitably cause the fabric to fade. But if you still decide to dry them in the dryer, then at least turn it on the gentle, delicate setting with the lowest heat level.

7. Always wash your jeans with other jeans.

or with products of a similar color. Please note that the dye on jeans may wash out. If this fabric is washed frequently (whether by machine or by hand), it may fade and even lose its original color.

8. If you only wash jeans in a washing machine, you can load no more than five pairs

because denim is very heavy.
When loading more jeans, the machine may start to work slower and may not be able to wash the item to a good condition. Yes, and placing a large number of jeans in the drum can lead to damage to
both the product itself and the equipment.

How to wash dark pants

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Denim is usually associated with the familiar blue color, but today black jeans are considered an equally classic option, the care for which is somewhat different from blue jeans. Let's figure out how to wash black jeans.

First of all, we need to warn you not to be particularly frightened if you find black stripes on your legs after putting on jeans for the first time. Do not rush to return the product back to the store, as this is not a defect at all. The thing is that the jeans have a double color

, and therefore such colored stains can remain after jeans recently purchased at the store.

Most of the excess paint will be washed off immediately after the first wash.

, and it’s also worth considering that after this the jeans will become much softer and more comfortable so that they can be worn comfortably.

If you want to preserve the bright color of your favorite trousers for a long time, then soak them in a little water with vinegar or salt before washing.

. This action will allow the paint on the product to absorb as deeply as possible into the fabric.

Preliminary stage

Before washing jeans, you need to do several manipulations that will help maintain the quality of the fabric:

1. Study the information on the trouser tag and do not violate the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Check pockets for foreign objects. When washing by hand, you can get injured by them; when washing by machine, forgotten pieces of paper will clog the filter, and coins and other hard objects can damage the device.
3. Fasten the zippers and buttons and turn the pants inside out. This will protect the fabric from rapid loss of color and prevent breakage of metal elements.
4. Heavily soiled jeans should be soaked in cool or lukewarm water, adding a little soap or liquid detergent. Soaking time 30 - maximum 60 minutes.

These points are required, regardless of the washing method - by hand or in a machine.

Rules for washing colored denim

Classic dark blue jeans have long ceased to be one of a kind. Now denim trousers can come in a wide variety of tones and colors, with equally varied designs. Today, embroidery, rhinestones, various stones, and many other decorations are used to decorate jeans.

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There are some nuances that you also need to know about.

1. To prevent dye from leaching from your pants, never wash blue or dark jeans in hot water. And in order for the rich shade to remain so, you should always add a certain amount of table vinegar to the water.
2. White denim is washed much more often than dark denim in dark tones and colors. Usually, in order to completely eliminate the appearance of a yellowish tint on the fabric, it is necessary to add specially designed bleaches that are suitable for white laundry with each wash. It is also recommended to add oxygen bleach from time to time. Before washing white jeans, you should always check their pockets very carefully, since even the smallest colored piece of paper can leave a noticeable stain on the trousers, which will then be very difficult to remove.
3. Trouser models decorated with rhinestones should be hand washed only. It is not recommended to soak them under any circumstances, since contact of trousers with water can be an enemy for decorative elements.

Rules for light and dark products

Features of washing white items:

1. 
   You can use products containing a bleaching component.

2. You can wash your pants at temperatures up to 60 degrees, if there is an urgent need for it.
3. When hand washing, careful consideration and rinsing of the seams is necessary. If this is not done, gray or yellow streaks will remain on your pants.

Features of washing dark:

• do not use formulations containing bleaching granules for washing;
• to preserve color, you can use washing powder for black fabrics;
• The maximum washing temperature is 30 degrees.

You need to wash white and dark jeans separately - this is the most important rule that cannot be broken. You can learn about the rules for washing black jeans from this article.

Hand washing process

Considering that the latest models of washing machines are capable of carefully washing even the most capricious fabrics, jeans should still be washed by hand, especially if they have thin fabric or have rhinestones on it.

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For hand washing, a basin or any container similar in size is absolutely not suitable for you, since wet denim becomes so rough and unyielding that it is absolutely impossible to do anything with it.

1. It is necessary to lower the jeans into a bath of water so that they are completely immersed in it. The water must be slightly warm or closer to cold.
2. Prepare soap shavings and dissolve them in water. Regular laundry detergent will also work.
3. If your jeans are heavily soiled, then you need to leave them in the bath for about thirty minutes, if necessary for an hour, and then vigorously rub the legs of your jeans.
4. It is also recommended to use a brush with fairly soft bristles. In this case, the fabric should be rubbed very carefully so as not to destroy its structure and fibers.
5. Jeans should be rinsed several times.
6. Do not wring out the washed product, just let the water drain.

How to wash jeans by hand (video)

How to remove difficult stains?

If your jeans get paint or other stains that cannot be removed in the usual way, you need to resort to special means. The method of their use is indicated in the table:

How to remove grass stains

What products to use for washing jeans

It’s worth noting right away that ordinary powders are absolutely not suitable for washing denim products, since they contain phosphates, enzymes and other aggressive compounds.

All types of bleaches are also contraindicated, since they directly affect the color of the product and can also oxidize metal parts: rivets, buttons and locks.

The ideal solution for washing denim items is a special liquid product designed for washing jeans. It is also perfect for washing other delicate fabrics.

Care at home without washing

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1. If you have any stains on your jeans

, but you do not want to wash the products, then instead of washing, you can remove existing stains using water and a rag. If you use soap, be careful because the area where you try to remove the stain may discolor the fabric.

2. If you don't wash your jeans very often

, then it is recommended to at least ventilate them from time to time. Hang them out in the fresh air for at least 24 hours. Also, in order to eliminate various odors, it is recommended to use a deodorizing spray, which will do an excellent job of eliminating various unpleasant odors.

3. For those who very rarely wash their jeans

, there is another secret where you can simply freeze trousers in the freezer. Why do you need to do this? This is necessary so that bacteria can be killed, which are usually transferred from our body to the fabric and cause not very pleasant odors.

To get rid of bacteria

, you can simply put the trousers in the freezer, but keep in mind that in this case they will come into contact with food, so it is better to pack them in any paper bag or fabric bag that will allow air to pass through well, while a plastic bag is unable to do.

Before hanging your jeans on the line, you need to let them warm up a little.

4. If you've only worn jeans a couple of times

, this does not mean that they need to be washed, since they have a slightly different wear life. You need to wait until the jeans begin to sag a little in the back or stretch out at the knees, and also until they become loose at the waist.

How to dry jeans

When it comes to drying your jeans, be sure to turn them inside out and dry them on the gentle cycle and low heat setting (unless the label instructs otherwise). You can throw a couple of washing and drying balls into the machine along with your jeans.

Jeans will last longer and retain their shape if you take them out of the machine slightly damp.

All that remains is to iron it (more on this below) and hang it.

Keeping them in the car for too long can cause them to shrink, and too much heat can damage the spandex or elastane in the fabric.

Do I need to wash new ones immediately after purchase?

There are several arguments for and against washing jeans after purchase.

The main argument in favor is that new pants are always painted and sometimes quite heavily . This applies not only to cheap, but also to expensive branded items.

A light wash without using detergents will remove excess pigment and prevent it from transferring to the skin of your feet or other things.

Also, with the help of the first wash, you will be able to get rid of the unpleasant odor that may be present on the new product. Wash jeans after purchase for hygienic purposes. It is possible that other people tried them on before purchasing the pants.

The main argument against washing is the fact that the color of the product may become less saturated . To avoid this problem and fix the dye, it is recommended to add 9% vinegar to the water (3 tablespoons per 10 liters of water).

Sometimes they refuse to do laundry because they want to put on a new item as quickly as possible. However, hygiene rules should not be neglected. Moreover, the washing and drying process will take no more than 10-12 hours.

Need for ironing

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There is absolutely no need to iron jeans after washing. They straighten out quite calmly on the human body, if only they were dried completely straightened out.

If the jeans still require ironing, then you need to turn the item inside out, slightly dampening the fabric. The iron should be turned on to the lowest heating setting.

And it’s best to use a steamer for this purpose, which can easily rid your trousers of all kinds of creases.

Various tricks

By following certain rules for caring for good jeans, you can actually wear them for more than one or even two years. Interesting fact: this material in trousers can adapt to even small changes in a person’s figure. This applies primarily to the fact that the changes will not be too significant.

If the owner of the jeans has lost weight, but the pants themselves have stretched, then this situation can be saved as follows:

1. You can wash this item directly on yourself. To do this, you need to sit in your jeans in a bathtub with not very hot water, lather a sponge or your own hand with any soap and gently rub the fabric with it. After this, without removing the item from yourself, you must also rinse it on yourself with clean water. Now let the jeans dry again directly on the body.

This method is appropriate only when the ambient temperature is quite high, that is, in the hot season, since at lower temperatures the item will dry out for a very long time.

Jeans washed this way will fit your figure just perfectly.

via GIPHY

2. You can speed up the drying of jeans using a special mode available in the washing machine. You can also reduce the size of various individual elements, for example, elongated places on the knees, or the entire thing.

There is also a solution if your jeans become too small for you:

To do this, you need to lightly moisten them with a spray bottle or simply sprinkle them with water and then put them on yourself. Wait until the jeans dry on you, and you will notice that they themselves stretch out in the places that you need.

It doesn’t matter if you have gained a lot of weight and the moment comes when you are unable to button up your favorite trousers. In this case, it is also recommended to wet only the belt and the waist area of ​​the trousers with water and stretch this area as much as possible with the help of books inserted between the fabric and your body.

3. Are you a conservative and always buy the same model every year, but it suddenly suddenly disappeared from sale? No problem! Don’t despair too much, you can still continue to buy it the same way you used to do it before. Pay attention to the label located on the inside of the trousers. On it, if it has not been erased, of course, as a rule, there is information and all the data specifically about your trouser model. You can simply find them on the Internet and purchase them again.

Caring for your favorite clothes

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If you choose the right type of jeans, they will highlight your figure and also hide some of its flaws. Plus, they will also easily approach a variety of things. Finding such trousers is not always easy the first time, but if you succeed, then you will, as a rule, wear them for many years, practically without taking them off.

1. Always buy jeans half a size smaller than necessary, or even a whole size. Ideal jeans should be difficult to fasten after purchase when you first put them on, but literally after a few days they stretch, hugging your figure. But don’t overdo it, because jeans that are too tight can interfere with your blood circulation and can also cause swelling or some other illness in your body.
2. Wash your pants as often as possible.
3. If you notice that a shine has begun to appear on your jeans, then you need to moisten them with a weak solution of ammonia, then apply washing powder, and only after that you can proceed directly to washing.

How to care for jeans so that they last you a long time?

In order for any thing to work to its maximum, it is necessary to take care of it. For denim products, there is a set of rules that must be followed when using them:

1. Wear it correctly. If the item is branded, then you should not wear it to weed the beds and squat. Extended knees do not stain any clothes. It’s better to have several pants at a time and in different models to make it easier for you to diversify your everyday look. This is where our review of “Fashionable Jeans Styles” may come in handy.
2. Wash properly. Preferably by hand, using the necessary detergents and at the correct temperature.
3. Dry properly. The best option would be to let it drain naturally and then dry it out of direct sunlight.
4. Iron correctly. In fact, you don’t have to iron your jeans—it’s enough to straighten them correctly when drying. But if such a need arises, then the choice of temperature should be coordinated with the label on the product.

Storage

Learning how to wash your pants correctly is only half the battle. You also need to learn how to store them correctly. Most people make the same mistake over and over again: folding items and storing them in a stack.

We forget that in this way the fabric in the folds will wear out faster. In fact, jeans deserve the same careful treatment as trousers with creases. If you want to store your trousers correctly, they should be hung in the closet on hangers with clothespins.

Problems with lightning

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• If suddenly the zipper on your jeans suddenly stops working, then a graphite pencil can come to your rescue, which you need to draw along the entire length of the zipper. If suddenly the pencil was unable to cope with this problem, then you can move on to other lubricants, which could be soap, a drop of oil or hygienic lipstick.
• If the lock on your trousers does not stay on top and is not fastened all the way, then a saving solution for some time can be a ring from your key ring, which can be attached to the zipper slider, and then hooked to the top button. This way, your trousers will no longer unbutton on their own when not needed.
• If some teeth are missing on the zipper of your trousers, you are unlikely to be able to fasten your jeans properly. In this case, the zipper should be replaced with a new one. But in some situations, if there is no tooth at the very end of the zipper, you can do without replacement. The slider should be fastened so that it is slightly higher than the damage site. Now you can make a few stitches with a needle and thread above the place where the tooth is missing.
• You can also carefully remove the damaged lock and make a clasp that will fasten with buttons.
• If at the most inopportune moment the slider on the lock of your jeans comes off, without which it will be almost impossible or very problematic to fasten them, then as some kind of temporary solution you can attach a paper clip or a ring from a key ring instead.