How to Wash Denim to Keep Them Looking Their Best

Jeans are the one piece of clothing that will never go out of style.

Whether you love your denim skinny, baggy, torn, or dark blue - you can’t go wrong with a good pair of jeans and your favorite top.

But how do you wash your jeans so they stay the way you want them - ripped in the right places, frayed, or retaining their dark blue color?

How to wash jeans in three basic steps:

As with all clothing items, always check the label first. Most likely, it will tell you to wash your denim in cold water to avoid shrinking.

Step 1. Use a delicate or gentle cycle

Denim is typically a sturdy fabric, but because many jeans have rips, frays, or details that you don’t want to ruin, we recommend a delicate or gentle cycle. Use cold water to avoid shrinking or fading.

Use a toxin-free detergent. It will be gentler on your denim (and is better for the environment).

Step 2. Wash jeans inside out

Turn your jeans inside out when washing them to help protect the fibers on the outside of the jeans from friction. This will help retain the color if your denim is dark.

If this is your first time washing your jeans, wash them alone, as they may bleed dye.

Step 3. Hang your denim to air dry or use a no heat cycle

While you can tumble dry most jeans, if your jeans have delicate rips and tears or other details you want to preserve, you should hang your jeans to air dry.

If you need to use a dryer, select a low or no heat cycle and use dryer balls to help your denim dry faster.

For extra protection, remove the jeans while they’re still slightly damp, then hang them to finish drying. Once they're completely dry, you can hang or fold your jeans to store in a drawer or on a shelf.

How do you wash new jeans?

For new jeans (especially if they are a dark dye) you should follow these steps to prevent your jeans from bleeding onto other clothing later. You can use your washer, kitchen sink, or a bathtub.

1. Fill your washer with water, then mix in a gentle detergent (i.e. a toxin-free detergent)

2. Turn your jeans inside out and put them in the water.

3. Let your jeans soak for 30 to 45 minutes, then drain the water, refill it and let your jeans sit for 10 minutes to rinse.

4. Repeat the rinsing steps until the water is clear.

How often should you wash jeans?

The frequency in which you wash your jeans depends on how often they are worn and how dirty they are.

If you use your jeans for heavy-duty jobs (like construction or landscaping), or if you wear them a lot, you’ll probably want to wash your denim more often. You don’t have to wash your jeans after every wear, but we recommend at least every 2-3 wears to keep them clean.

With a little work, you can keep your jeans looking the way you want them to. And if you need help, that’s why OrangeBag exists! As a toxin-free, sustainable laundry service, we know how to take care of your laundry! Whether you’'re washing your jeans or your sheets and towels, we know how to get your laundry clean, without compromising their integrity.

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