How to wash jeans, how to care for jeans. How to care for jeans so that they last you a long time When to wash jeans and whether

How often should jeans be washed? In a word, rarely. “If you buy raw denim jeans, wear them for as long as possible,” says Paul Anderson of Welsh denim company Hiut Denim. "Raw denim" means that the fabric has not been washed after production, so the dye that gives your jeans their Blue colour, fades more in some areas than others. These areas are individual for each person and depend on his body and how he wears jeans. So your pair will look unique, which denim fans love so much.

If you wash your jeans too soon, they will shed completely and you won't get the individual coloring that comes from creases when you sit down, walk, or put things in your pockets (you can get a wallet or phone print, Anderson says) . The aged jeans that are sold in high-end stores are more likely to have gone through a belt machine or 15 washes. “These guys are trying to give them that special look that you give jeans when you wear them, but they can’t make it personal.”

Some especially vehement supporters of denim believe that this fabric is not friendly with water at all. They carry a change of trousers in case of rain and kill the smell of worn clothes by putting jeans in the freezer for an hour. “We recommend washing your jeans for the first time after six months,” says Anderson, who washes his jeans on a 20-minute cold rinse cycle without powder or spin, then turns inside out and hangs to dry. But there are many different theories. Swim in them in the sea, rub with sand. There is no limit to human extremeness."

Walking in jeans alone for six months is not so easy. You will have to try not to spill coffee on yourself once and endure when the fabric becomes stiffer over time (you will feel it with your knees and inner thighs). If you have never bought raw denim jeans before, it is better to start with a light weight fabric: say, 12 ounces, not 32 (these can be put on the floor). In addition, this way you will not bathe in the summer.

Some stores, including Hiut, sell jeans that have been worn for six months and then thoroughly laundered. Each pair is accompanied by photographs showing the development of the fabric fading process. “That way we don't have to fake a worn style,” says Anderson.

If you're picking up raw denim jeans, look east. The best Japanese cuts are woven on ancient looms and dyed by hand. This results in jeans that last longer and give more distinct hues. And take jeans a size or two smaller: “raw” denim stretches, and jeans that fit flawlessly in the store can turn into something shapeless a couple of months later. And remember: never buy flared jeans. Tea, not the seventies in the yard.

Jeans have long ceased to be exclusively working class clothing. Today it is a stylish element of the wardrobe, which women of fashion allow themselves to wear even at social events. However, we love jeans not only for their versatility, but also for their durability. They are able to serve more than one year and over time only emphasize the individuality of their owner. For example, raw denim, beloved by many (the fabric is not washed after production), eventually acquires scuffs in certain places, depending on the structure of the body of a particular person and even on what he constantly wears in his pockets. These jeans will always be in a single copy.

All owners of this wardrobe item are interested in the question: how to care for jeans? Denim cannot be called a very capricious fabric, but it needs a special approach. Let's talk about how to wash jeans to prolong their life, prevent them from fading and losing their shape.

When should I wash my jeans and should I

There are many myths about denim care, and the first stumbling block is whether and when to wash jeans. Someone believes that this type of clothing is not friendly with water at all, while others, on the contrary, wash their pair every week.

There are several aspects to the problem. The first is bacteria. If it reassures you, then the number of invisible, but no less unpleasant satellites does not depend on how long you wear jeans. At least that's what Canadian researchers from the University of Alberta say. They compared the number of bacteria on two pairs of jeans worn by the same person: the first for 15 months, the second for two weeks. Their number matched.

Another issue is color and shape. Most experts believe that freshly bought jeans should be washed no earlier than two weeks later. This will keep the color of the fabric. In the case of "raw" denim, the period of the first wash can easily be increased several times - up to six months.

As for the shape of jeans, washing only affects those products that were not washed at the production stage. They need time to properly sit on the figure. In other cases, washing does not critically affect the shape of the jeans. More importantly, how carefully you will dry them afterwards.

In a word, in the debate about washing jeans, the truth is somewhere in the middle: it is not only possible to wash them, but also necessary, the main thing is not to part and follow the rules.

How to wash your jeans to make them last longer

We found out that water is not as bad for denim as many people make it out to be, so let's talk about how to properly wash jeans. Instructions for your personal item will be on the product label.

We put together some general advice about how to wash jeans automatic machine:

preliminary preparation. Denim items are washed buttoned up and turned inside out. If your jeans are decorated with decorative elements (appliqué, beads, sequins, beads, etc.), it would be wise to put them in a special laundry bag;
wash mode selection. Some modern cars already have a "Jeans" mode. If yours does not have this, use delicate or "Hand wash";
temperature: if you do not know at what temperature to wash jeans, then set 30-40 degrees;
spin: if you use automatic spin, set the minimum number of revolutions - 400-600. You can squeeze the jeans by hand: lay them out on a thick terry cloth, roll them up and press lightly;
drying: on a straight horizontal surface. Lay them on a towel or heavy cotton cloth and keep them out of direct sunlight and central heating radiators. If you want to speed up the drying process a little, put a fan on nearby.

How to wash black jeans

Traditionally, denim is associated with blue, but now no less classic version considered black jeans. Their care is slightly different. Let's figure out how to wash black jeans.

First, do not be alarmed if after the first wear you notice dark stains on your legs. This is not a marriage, and you do not have to return the item to the store. The reason is that denim is double-dyed, so brand new jeans can leave color marks on the skin. After the first interaction with water, most of the "extra" paint will go away. In addition, washing will make the fabric softer and more comfortable to wear.

How to wash jeans

Let's just say: ordinary washing powder not suitable for denim. The agent for this fabric should not contain phosphates, enzymes and other aggressive compounds.

Separately, let's say about bleach: it is also contraindicated, because, firstly, it affects the color of the thing, and secondly, it can lead to the oxidation of metal parts: zippers, buttons, rivets.

The ideal option for washing is a liquid detergent specifically for denim, but a standard one for delicate fabrics is also quite suitable.

Jeans care mistakes

1. Frequent washing

In the fight for the purity of jeans, do not part. Denim is water resistant, but the less frequently washed, the more natural the color of your favorite item will stay. However, if you spilled coffee on your favorite pants, you should not wait for the next scheduled wash so that the stain does not eat into the fabric.

2. Soaking

Many people think that before washing, or even instead of it, jeans must be soaked in cool water. It is a myth. Denim does not require soaking. Moreover, prolonged contact with water has a bad effect on the color of the fabric. Soaking or pre-washing in the machine is acceptable only if the jeans are completely “killed” (for example, you wore them to work at a construction site or in the garden). But do not leave clothes soaked for longer than half an hour.

3. Freeze

One common tip for keeping jeans fresh without washing is to put them in the freezer because low temperatures kill bacteria. Indeed, you will kill some of the bacteria in this way, but the most viable ones will still survive. And when you put your jeans back on, the fabric will warm up to body temperature, and the bacteria will return. So there is not much point in this procedure.

4. Drying

Another common life hack from fashionistas: in order for jeans to fit, you need to dry them on yourself, that is, put them on wet and do not take them off until completely dry. In fact, you will waste several hours in this way, but there will be no practical benefit, and even your knees can stretch out unpleasantly. Some manufacturers advise wearing jeans when they are slightly damp.

It is also better not to use automatic drying with denim. From this he can sit down.

As for washing several jeans at the same time, denim loves individual approach. When washing, jeans can stain water, so it is better to wash them separately from other things, especially light ones. You need to be especially careful with this when washing them for the first time. In addition, it is better not to put several pairs of jeans of different colors into the wash at the same time, so as not to spoil the color of each.

For some, a well-known fact, for others, a real revelation that jeans do not have to be washed every time they are worn. As you know, denim very durable and wearable, it is these qualities that ensured her such popularity all over the world. And it is these qualities that allow you to wash your jeans only after the fourth or fifth time you put them on. In fact, jeans can be washed even less often, while using other cleaning methods, in particular freezing, which we will discuss separately below.

If you are an ardent opponent of washing jeans, you do not like that after washing they lose their shape and fade, and the fabric becomes stiffer, we offer you an alternative strategy for caring for jeans.

Light soiling from jeans can be removed with a damp kitchen sponge and every day when you go to the shower, hang the jeans nearby so that they are slightly steamed. You can arrange a “general wash” once every six months. At the same time, wash jeans not in a washing machine, but in a bath. We are sure that this advice may shock a good part of the readers, but many true connoisseurs of jeans use it, varying the maximum wear time for themselves.

When washing jeans in the tub, use room temperature water and a mild detergent. If the jeans are dark, you can add some white vinegar to keep them from fading.

Read the label carefully before washing.
Be sure to turn your jeans inside out before washing.
Use a mild detergent.
Wash in cold water, or at least room temperature water on a gentle cycle if machine washed. It is best to wash your jeans by hand in the tub as described above.
In some cases, dry cleaning is recommended (for example, if the jeans are dark).
Remember that jeans cannot be soaked and should be washed at a temperature not exceeding 30-40 ° C.
After washing, do not wring out the jeans.
Do not wash your jeans immediately after wearing them. Jeans can be washed after the fourth or fifth wear or even less often.

Drying

Drying is best in a horizontal position. You can also dry your jeans by hanging them upside down.
If you have to dry your jeans in a dryer, use the lowest setting. In general, it is highly recommended not to dry jeans in a dryer.

Ironing

After drying, do not turn the jeans inside out, you can iron them from the inside out.
Remove slightly damp jeans and start ironing at a low temperature. You can use the steam mode at low temperature. Some irons have a special mode for ironing jeans.

life hacks

1. Freeze

There are many denim hacks out there, some of which may shock you, but they work! For example, the CEO of the blog Appartment Therapy talks in a video about how you can replace washing your jeans. Everyone knows that the less you wash your jeans, the better they look, but very few people know that washing can be replaced by freezing a pair of jeans in the freezer.

2. Stretch

Jeans usually serve the owner for more than one year, and the weight category of the owner may increase slightly. The size mismatch problem is solved by stretching the jeans. To do this, wet the belt and fill the volume with various objects, gradually adding more and more new ones.

3. Reducing the size

If you have the opposite problem and need to shrink your jeans, there are two ways to do this: using a washer and dryer, or using a hot bath.

Throw your jeans in washing machine, turn on a small number of revolutions, the water should be cold. Do not use detergent or other detergents for this. Then spin and dry. If you have a dryer, it's best to do it in it.
Fill up the bath hot water. Put on your jeans and dive into the bath. Stay in it until the water cools down. Attention! Do this carefully, do not overdo it with the water temperature!

4. Search for the desired model, out of production

If you are conservative and buy the same model year after year and it suddenly goes out of production, don't be discouraged, you can buy it again and again. Look at the inside information label. If it has not been erased, then there is data about your jeans model and you can google it on the Internet and buy it again.

And here are a few life hacks that help solve all sorts of problems with lightning.

5. Lightning jammed

If the lightning is stuck, then a graphite pencil can save the situation, which needs to be drawn along the teeth of the lightning. If the graphite pencil does not help, we turn to “lubricants”: a drop of oil, hygienic lipstick, soap.

6. The zipper does not close all the way and is not fixed at the top

A common problem that sometimes leads to awkward situations. If you are not going to completely replace the zipper, then a key ring or key fob can be a temporary solution. The ring is attached to the zipper tab and then hooked onto the top button. Voila, the fly no longer unzips when it shouldn't.

7. Lightning damage

If the zipper does not fasten due to missing teeth, then it needs to be changed (if the tooth is missing in the upper third of the zipper) or no replacement should be done (if the tooth is missing in the lower third of the zipper). Fasten the slider so that it is above the damage. Then thread the needle and make a few stitches just above the damaged area.

Another option is to make a button fasteningby carefully removing the damaged zipper.

8. The tongue came off

The tongue can come off at the most inopportune moment, and fastening a zipper without a tongue is not an easy task. As a temporary solution, you can suggest attaching a paper clip or a key ring instead of a tongue.

We hope these tips will help prolong the life of your favorite pair of jeans.

For some, a well-known fact, for others, a real revelation that jeans do not have to be washed every time they are worn. As you know, denim is very durable and wearable, it is these qualities that have made it so popular all over the world. And it is these qualities that allow you to wash your jeans only after the fourth or fifth time you put them on. In fact, jeans can be washed even less often, while using other cleaning methods, in particular freezing, which we will discuss separately below.