Denim jeans have a tendency to fade over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight; it takes months or even years before you’ll notice any significant change in the color or tone of your jeans. Assuming you wear them on a regular basis, however, you may eventually discover your jeans are no longer as dark as they used to be.
It’s frustrating when you buy a new pair of indigo-colored jeans, only to discover one day that they’ve turned into a lighter color. Indigo is the preferred choice of color for denim jeans among countless men and women, and for good reason: it’s conceals stains more easily, offers a formal/semi-formal appearance, and it looks great when worn with just about any other colors and styles. While you can always replaced your faded indigo jeans with a new pair, there are ways to protect your denim from fading. So, consider the following hacks to keep your indigo-colored jeans dark and preserve their original appearance.
#1) Wash with Similar Colors
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you can keep your indigo jeans dark by washing them with similar-colored clothes. If you wash them with white socks or other light colors, the indigo dye may “bleed” onto them, and vise-versa. This may cause your white clothes to turn dark, and your indigo jeans to turn light. When washing indigo jeans, either wash them alone or with similar dark colored to prevent this from happening.
#2) Use the Right Laundry Detergent
Be sure to choose the right laundry detergent to wash your indigo jeans with. While most generic “all-purpose” varieties are perfectly fine and shouldn’t cause any damage, there are some special varieties designed specifically for use with dark clothes. These laundry detergents are ideal for use with indigo jeans, as they protect the fabric from fading. You can expect to pay a little more for color-protectant laundry detergent, though most people will agree that it’s well worth the investment, especially if you want to preserve the original color of your indigo jeans.
#3) Don’t Use the Machine Dryer
When your indigo jeans are finished washing, skip the machine dryer and instead hang them on a line to dry. Why is this necessary? Well, clothes dryers have a tendency to open up the denim fabric, after which some of the dye can escape. If you dry them on a line, however, your jeans won’t be exposed to hear, nor will the fabric will open up and release the indigo dye. Besides, line drying your jeans also protects them from shrinkage, which is another reason why you should skip the machine dryer.
#4) Choose High-Quality Jeans
Don’t underestimate the importance of choosing high-quality jeans. Some manufacturers attempt to cut corners by using cheap denim fabrics and equally cheap indigo dye to make their jeans. Unfortunately for the consumer, the end result is low-quality jeans that are more susceptible to fading and damage. A pair of low-quality jeans, for instance, may fade after being washed just once or twice. In comparison, a pair of high-quality jeans may withstand dozens of washes without any change in color. So, skip the cheap jeans and choose a pair made with high-quality denim materials and craftsmanship instead.
By ordering your jeans here at MakeYourOwnJeans, you can rest assured knowing that you are getting the very best jeans for your money. All of our jeans are made with the highest quality denim. Furthermore, we offer custom sizing on all jeans at no additional charge. Simply include your measurements when ordering, and we’ll use those measurements to create the perfect pair of custom-fitted jeans.
#5) Fabric Protector
The next time you make a trip to the store, check the laundry and cleaning aisle to see what fabric protector products they offer. If you frequently wear your jeans outside, for instance, using a UV protector could help protect against fading. UV protector products are designed to protect clothes from damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Just like UV light can damage our skin, it can also damage clothes, causing them to fade over time. A UV protectant, however, prevents this from happening by creating a barrier of protection between your jeans and the sun’s UV rays. If you only wear your jeans indoors, this really isn’t necessary. For most people, however, jeans are commonly worn outdoors, in which case a UV protectant can most certainly prove useful. Simply follow the directions as instructed, after which your jeans will be protected from fading and other related damage caused by UV exposure.
#6) Add Vinegar to Washing Machine
When you wash your indigo jeans, try adding 1 cup of white vinegar. The though of washing jeans with vinegar may turn some people away. After all, doesn’t vinegar smell? While vinegar does have a strong odor, it dissipates quickly, leaving your jeans smelling nice and fresh. Best of all, vinegar is highly effective at protecting jeans and other garments from fading. As it settles into the denim fabric, vinegar works to “hold” the dye in place, preventing it from bleeding out. While some other detergent products offer similar protection, vinegar is both cheap and easy to use. You can buy large jugs of vinegar for just a couple bucks, which is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing that your jeans are protected from fading.
#7) Dye Them
Of course, you can also dye your jeans to preserve their indigo color and prevent them from fading. Dyeing your jeans is a relatively easy and straightforward process: submerge the jeans in a bathtub filled with water and dye, wait 2o to 30 minutes, and then remove them. Try to get into the habit of dyeing your jeans at least once every few months to preserve their indigo color and protect them from fading.
These are just a few simple hacks to keep your indigo jeans dark.
