How to Wash Your Jeans So They Don't Shrink or Fade

Follow these expert tips for denim care to extend the life of your jeans.

Jeans in a laundry basket — Credit:
Kristen Prahl / Getty Images

We live in our jeans. And considering the cost of premium denim, as well as the time and effort spent in fitting rooms or online hunting for the perfect pair, it makes sense to pay greater attention to these wardrobe staples—especially when it comes to washing them. Ahead, Catherine Ryu, the creative director of womenswear at Citizens of Humanity, shares her best advice on extending the life of our everyday uniform, which starts with knowing the right way to wash them.

Catherine Ryu, creative director of womenswear at Citizens of Humanity

How Often You Should Wash Your Jeans

Let's establish the basics: Denim is a rugged fabric that doesn't need washing after every wear. In fact, the only way to avoid fading your true blues is not to wash your jeans. For most of us, that's not practical.

So, just how often should you wash your denim? This depends on your comfort level and the style of your pants. If they're jeans with a good grade of stretch with Lycra recovery, they will keep their shape for three to five wears. For more rigid garments—those that are 100 percent cotton and have no Lycra—Ryu says you should go much longer without a wash, around every eight to 10 wears.

Before You Start

Gather what you need to wash your jeans properly, in this case, the right type of detergent. Harsh detergents can strip your jeans of color, so use a mild soap to preserve the indigo. Ryu likes Woolite Dark or Persil Color. You can also have a cup of vinegar handy to throw in, as vinegar helps keep the color, according to Ryu. Yes, vinegar may initially stink a little, but the sour scent disappears with wear.

Instructions

Properly caring for your jeans is easy if you know the right steps.

Step 1: Turn Your Jeans Inside Out

A practical and careful approach is to turn your jeans inside out before tossing them in the wash—this helps protect the color and the fibers of your denim.

Step 2: Set Your Washer to the Gentle Cycle

Add detergent to your washing machine, and if using, the cup of vinegar. Use cold water, and set your washing machine on a gentle cycle. All of these measures are to preserve the color, shape, and fibers of your jeans.

Step 3: Air Dry

Don't throw your jeans in the dryer—air dry them instead. The dryer ruins denim's Lycra, indigo, and fibers, so it's best to hang your jeans up to air dry. "It's a bit crunchier and rougher, but it's definitely better for your jeans," Ryu says. Any stiffness should wear off after an hour of wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you hand-wash jeans?

Yes, you can, but the question is whether you should. Denim enthusiasts obsessed with raw or selvage styles painstakingly hand-wash their jeans, but it's serious work. "If you put water on your jeans, they become 20 pounds," says Ryu. "It's so heavy. How do you wring it out?" The more practical approach is to machine wash your jeans.
How can you shrink your jeans?

We know what you're thinking: Without a dryer, how will you bring the shape back to your favorite stretch jeans that tend to bag out at the knee and seat? If your denim needs a little restructuring, Ryu says to turn it inside out and toss them into the dryer for 10 minutes on a low setting. Then, hang to dry. Another trick: Turn them inside out and hang them in the bathroom while you shower. "Steam helps to get rid of wrinkles and straightens out the bagging," she says.
Does freezing jeans work?

Don't even touch that ice-box handle. Despite what you've read, sticking your jeans in the freezer does nothing but take up space better used for something delicious. "It doesn't clean your jeans," says Ryu. In fact, that "kills the bacteria" theory was proven false a few years back. While the freezer may knock the smell out of your jeans, the bacteria that cause said odors come right back once they re-acclimate to your body temperature. So, at the end of the day, there's no trick better than washing them.