Few garments offer the same level of versatility as denim jeans. Ever since they were first invented, men and women of all ages have chosen jeans as their preferred style of pants. They can be worn for a variety of occasions, ranging from everyday casual wear to a slightly more business-casual attire.
#1) Wash in Vinegar
The thought of washing your favorite pair of jeans in vinegar may sound unappealing (to say the least). After all, wouldn’t it make your jeans smell funny? While it’s true that vinegar possesses a pungent odor, it can still be used to preserve the color of denim — and don’t worry about the odor, as it goes away once the jeans have been washed. Simply fill your washing machine with one cup distilled, filtered white vinegar, place your jeans inside, and turn it on. The vinegar “sets” the color dye into the jeans, preventing fading and discoloration from occurring.
#2) Wash Your Jeans Less Frequently
Most people are stuck in the mindset of washing their jeans each time after wearing them. But jeans really don’t need to be washed this frequently. On the contrary, you can often wear them for a dozen or more times before doing so. Levi CEO Chip Burgh even revealed that he “rarely” washes his jeans. World-renowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger also shared this sentiment, confirming that he too wears the same jeans without washing them. Unless there’s a visible stain on them, you can usually wear your jeans again without having to wash them.
#3) Watch the Bottom!
One of the most common areas where jeans sustain damage is the very bottom. Some jeans may rip, tear and wear away here, causing the denim fabric to look frayed and messy. This usually occurs as a result of the jeans rubbing along the bottom of the ground. So, how can you protect your jeans from this type of damage? First and foremost, be conscious of whether or not your jeans are touching the ground. If they are, chances are the bottom will become damaged. If your jeans are longer than your feet, it’s recommended that you wear boots or a similar type of footwear to prevent them from rubbing on the ground. Keeping your jeans off the ground is essential to protecting them from this type of damage.
#4) Faded Jeans? Try Dyeing Them.
Rather than throwing away your old, faded jeans, try dyeing them. Wal-Mart and other general goods stores sell fabric dye that can be used on jeans. If you’re looking for a deep indigo-blue color, use 2 packet of blue and one packet of black dye, placing them inside your washing machine along with the jeans. After allowing the jeans to soak, run them through the washing machine cycle and voila, you now have a colorful pair of jeans! There’s no faster or easier to way to revitalize the appearance of faded jeans than by dyeing them. Oh, and it’s also inexpensive, with fabric dye costing just a couple bucks per packet.
#5) Air-Dry Stretch Denim Jeans
Because stretch denim jeans are made with a combination of regular denim and an elastic fabric (e.g. polyester), it’s best to air-dry them instead of using a machine clothes dryer. Air-drying helps to protect stretch denim from the shrinkage — an all-too-common phenomenon associated with polyester fabrics. Once you are finished washing your stretch jeans, hang them outside on a line to dry. The time it takes for stretch jeans to dry will vary depending on the climate, sun exposure, moisture contained within the jeans, and other factors. Generally speaking, though, they should be finished drying in 3-6 hours time if left outside on a warm and sunny day. In the event that you don’t have access to an outdoor line, you can always air-dry your stretch jeans by hanging them up in the bathroom, although this technique will take a bit longer.
#6) Don’t Use Bleach
Chlorine bleach is an undeniably useful chemical with hundreds of different purposes and applications, including the ability to whiten clothes and clean tough stains. But it’s best to avoid washing jeans with bleach, because adding just a small capful of this chemical can degrade its color. If you notice a touch, hard-to-remove stain on your denim jeans, try spot cleaning it with a warm washcloth and laundry detergent. Nine out of ten times, this will suffice, removing surface stains with ease.
#7) Remove Wrinkles by Hanging Jeans in the Bathroom
No, that’s not a typo. You can remove wrinkles from your jeans by hanging them in the bathroom and turning the shower on the hottest water setting possible. The steam produced by the shower works to smooth out wrinkles, leaving your jeans nice and smooth afterwards. It should only take between 20-30 minutes for it to work, making this an excellent technique for de-wrinkling your jeans on the fly. In other for this method to work, though, you’ll need to keep the bathroom door closed and the exhaust fan off; otherwise, the steam will escape, rendering it ineffective at eliminating wrinkles.
#8) Check Your Pockets
I think we’ve all been guilty of washing pants (or any garment) without first checking the pockets. Maybe you left in a pen in your pocket, or perhaps there’s a half-eaten candy bar from your mid-day snack. Regardless, you’ll want to get into the habit of checking your jeans’ pockets to ensure they are empty before washing them. It only takes a couple of seconds to do so, but it could protect your jeans from serious damage.
#9) Make Jeans Fit Tighter
Are your jeans too big too wear comfortably without a belt? If so, you may be able to shrink them by submerging them in warm water for half an hour. The warm water works to constrict the denim fabric, causing it to shrink. Granted, this isn’t going to make your jeans’ waistline half a dozen sizes smaller, but it can certainly help to create a better fit if they are just a size too small. If this still doesn’t work, though, you can always take your jeans to a professional tailor to have the waistline altered.
