How to wash jeans to keep them looking as good as new
It is an indisputable fact that some people never wash their jeans. This practice, which some might consider unhygienic, is a way to respect the environment and also to keep denim in the best possible condition over the years.
If you notice that your jeans lose shape, size or color wash after wash, it is likely that you are not washing them properly, or perhaps you are washing them more than you really need to.
Therefore, in this post we want to help you with a series of tricks about washing denim garments, so that they look like the first day and last for years in your closet.
How often should jeans be washed?
A bad habit we tend to have is to throw clothes in the laundry basket without even checking if they really need to be washed.
In the case of jeans, they should not be washed if they have only been worn once, twice or three times, except when they have been heavily soiled (mud, grease...). The first is only a recommendation, since this type of garment is best kept away from water, especially hot water.
How to wash jeans by hand
When there is no choice but to wash jeans, the best way is to do it by hand, so the denim fabric suffers less than in the washing machine. Let's see how to do it step by step:
1. Turn jeans inside out
If you decide to hand wash your jeans, the first thing to do is to turn them inside out. This gesture will reduce the risk of discoloration.
2. Fill a basin with cold water.
Use a basin or a basin, and pour cold water into it. Remember that if you wash jeans in hot water, they may shrink a little and even lose their color.
3. Use environmentally friendly detergents.
Avoid using soaps or detergents with environmentally aggressive ingredients (surfactants, surfactants, enzymes...). Instead, wash your jeans with ecological detergents, which are just as effective but more respectful of nature.
4. Dip and rub jeans
With the basin of water and natural detergent, soak the jean and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. If some parts have stains, rub them gently at a steady pace until they disappear.
5. Rinse with cold water
Once the stains have been removed, rinse the jeans with plenty of cold water. It is important not to wring them to expel the water, as this may damage the fibers.
6. Lay them without direct light
Finally, once the jeans have been washed, hang them in the open air, without using the dryer, in a place where they do not receive direct sunlight, the other worst enemy of jeans besides hot water.
How to wash jeans in the washing machine
As a slow fashion denim brand, we recommend washing jeans in the washing machine as a last resort.
Among the reasons, 90% of the energy is consumed to heat the water, which, as we said before, damages the clothes, releasing microfibers that will end up in rivers and oceans. In addition, if natural detergents are not used, the water is contaminated with harmful products.
However, even if there is no other option, there are tricks to reduce the environmental impact of using the washing machine.
1. Wash jeans in cold water
This tip is not only to avoid damage caused by hot water on jeans, but also to reduce electricity consumption (remember to put jeans inside out in the washing machine).
2. Use a short wash program
Short programs, which are more ecological, are recommended for washing jeans. Also avoid spin washing, which only wrinkles and deforms the garment.
3. Use natural detergents
As with hand washing, opt for detergents without environmentally harmful ingredients.
4. Do not wash jeans with different garments
Washing jeans together with harder fabrics may cause them to wear out sooner as they rub against each other in the washing machine.
5. Lay them outdoors and without direct sunlight.
Again, do not use the dryer and hang clean pants straight and in a place where they do not receive direct sunlight.
And how to iron jeans after washing?
As with people who do not wash their jeans, there are also those who do not iron them once they are dry.
But, if you are one of those who prefer to do it, do it with the garment inside out, starting with the pockets, going to the back and ending with the legs. Try to iron the pants at the lowest possible temperature to avoid heat damage to the color.
Bustins Jeans, the jeans of slow fashion
At Bustins Jeans we have been making denim clothing for decades following the model of slow fashion: garments with zero kilometer materials, locally handcrafted and of higher quality than fast fashion garments. slow fashionWe use zero kilometer materials, handcrafted locally and of higher quality than fast fashion garments.
If you are looking for jeans for girls or men that will last for years (whether you wash them or not), visit our store and join the fashion change!