What is more covetable than the perfect pair of denim jeans? There may not be a bigger regret than ignoring the wash instructions on the tag of what could have been your favorite pair, so why slack on your care for them? Sometimes a killer pair of jeans is an investment, and leaving their fate to the mercy of your washing machine’s “casual” cycle isn’t something I feel very “casual” about. Let us get back to the basics with these easy steps on how to care for your denim!
Step 1: Fill Washing Machine
Start by setting the wash cycle to normal with cold water. Be sure to wash the new denim in question on its own and at least twice if you plan on taking it to the tailor. They’ll likely shrink just a tad in length as well as possibly staining other clothing if they happen to have excess dye.
Step 2: Add Detergent and Something Extra
Add your detergent along with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar at the same time. Allow these two ingredients to mix together for a few moments.
Step 3: Dunk Denim
Turn the garment inside out and place it in the washer. Immerse the garment with your hands before closing the lid, beginning the cycle.
Step 4: Let it Wash
Step back and let the washing machine do its thing; going through its normal cycle of washing and cleaning.
Step 5: Let it Spin
After the wash cycle is completed and the excess water has been spun out of the denim article, and the machine has stopped, remove the garment.
Step 6: Line Dry
If you do not want the denim to lose it’s elasticity and stretch out, remove the article from the washer and either line dry it or lay it flat on a towel to dry.
Step 8: Rinse the Washing Machine
To avoid any potential dye marks or stains from the new denim, set the washing machine on rinse and let it run through a cycle.
Depending on what color the denim is and if you want the garment to fade or stay the same deep dark color that it was originally purchased, try not to wash the article more than once a week. Also, by adding the cup of vinegar, the dye will not bleed as quickly if the denim is a darker shade. Keep any acids like lime or orange juices away from the denim. Some denim lovers take their denim garments to the cleaners to be dry cleaned and others keep them in the freezer. Wick, a dear client, took the advice of a hipster at Levi’s and freezes his, and swears by it! The freezer does not clean them, but it does get them back into shape.
**Note: If you have a front load washer, substitute your bathtub or utility sink for the pre-soak before running it through a cold water wash cycle.
