Washing jeans: What you need to pay attention to when caring for them

What you should consider when washing jeans

First, you might be wondering when you can wash new jeans. If the jeans haven't been worn before, they should be washed after purchase. Washing jeans before wearing them for the first time certainly makes sense.

Although all jeans undergo an industrial delicates wash cycle beforehand, they can still pick up fine layers of dust during subsequent transport or sale. These often invisible particles necessitate a repeat wash. Furthermore, jeans purchased at a local store may have already been tried on by someone else.

The right wash cycle for washing jeans

To wash your jeans properly, clean them either by hand or gently in the washing machine. If you choose to handwash, you can wash gray men's jeans inside out in a solution of mild soap. For stubborn stains, you can rub the jeans inside out. However, be careful not to scrub to preserve the specially woven fabric. If the stain cannot be removed this way, gentle stain removers are also suitable for spot cleaning. Afterward, wring out the wet garment thoroughly and hang it up to dry.

Choose the right wash cycle

Authentic blue denim jeans can, of course, also be washed in the washing machine. It's important to choose the right wash program. To ensure the fabric survives the wash cycle unscathed, you should turn the garment inside out. While denim is very durable, careful handling is essential due to the dyeing and special washes to preserve its durability. It's best to only wash the jeans with similar denim jeans and other garments. To protect the fabric, you should choose a short wash program.

Set the perfect temperature

It's best to wash your jeans using the quick wash program at a temperature between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. If your jeans are made of pure cotton, they can withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius. Make sure to spin your classic jeans at a speed between 800 and 1000 rpm. This will prevent abrasion marks that could damage the fabric.

Find the right detergent

To best preserve the color and texture of your jeans, avoid heavy-duty detergent. Liquid detergent for delicates or coloreds is fine, but use with caution. Be especially careful with dark or even black jeans. These jeans are very delicate. Therefore, avoid fabric softeners altogether, as these can soften the fibers.

The next challenge: Drying jeans properly

Once the wash cycle is complete, it's time to dry the jeans properly. However, these jeans aren't best suited to the dryer. Stretchy materials, in particular, can shrink during drying. Therefore, it's always best to hang wet jeans on a clothesline.

More tips & tricks for caring for your jeans

In principle, you should wash your pants as often as necessary, but as infrequently as possible. Ideally, you should only wash your favorite blue jeans when visible stains or odors develop. A rough guideline is that delicate fabrics should be washed after about five to six wears. Remember to empty your pockets before the next wash cycle so that items stored there don't end up in the washing machine and damage your jeans during the wash.

If you want to clean coated jeans, you'll have to hand-wash them. For example, you can soak them in cold water overnight. The next day, all you have to do is wring them out and hang them on the clothesline. By the way, your jeans dry best in a shady spot, as this protects them from the bleaching rays of the sun.

Alternatives to washing jeans

If you want to avoid washing your jeans altogether, you should consider the following alternatives:

For bad odors, sometimes hanging your pants outside overnight can help. Unpleasant odors like cigarette smoke can reduce nighttime ventilation. This measure won't help with strong smoky smells, such as those from a campfire. In this case, hang your favorite jeans directly over the bathtub, preferably over steaming hot water. Thanks to the warm, humid air, the odors will dissipate after a while.

Some other alternatives are less promising, contrary to popular belief. For example, the assumption that dirty jeans will be clean with vinegar and water. While vinegar can disinfect soaked jeans, it won't remove stubborn stains. Furthermore, vinegar can damage the color/wash.

The ultimate tip for true denim enthusiasts who never wash their denim if possible is to kill bacteria and odors in the freezer, then wrap the pants in a plastic bag and let them sit overnight in the freezer. Done.

Conclusion: Washing jeans properly requires learning

There are many things to consider, and sometimes it takes a while to find the right method for caring for your jeans and establish it in your daily routine. You might decide, like many jeans experts, to wash them once and then never again. It sounds crazy, but it's an insider tip among true jeans lovers.

In any case, you shouldn't overdo the cleaning and give the jeans time to develop their color. New men's or women's jeans need time to develop their individual color, even after washing. Depending on how often they're worn, it can take up to a year before the garment begins to look worn in.