How to Make Your Jeans Last for Years

How to Make Your Jeans Last for Years

The right pair of denim jeans can easily last five or more years, making them a smart financial investment for any budget-conscious consumer. With that said, some jeans are less likely to reach this milestone than others. A pair of cheap, poorly made jeans, for instance, will probably wear down more quickly than a pair of high-quality, well-made jeans. The good news is that you can make your jeans last for years by following a few simple steps. So, if you want to get the most bang for your denim buck, consider the following tips.

Don’t Use Bleach

Some people naturally assume the best way to remove stubborn denim stains is to wash their jeans with bleach. Adding a small amount of bleach shouldn’t cause any discoloration, but it will degrade the fabric and subsequently shorten the lifespan of your jeans. You have to remember that bleach is a harsh chemical, while denim fabrics are simply made of cotton. When exposed to bleach, denim will degrade and wear down. The bottom line is that you should avoid using bleach or products containing bleach on your jeans.

Stay Away From Distressed Denim

Distressed denim lives up to its namesake by featuring an aged, worn-in appearance. A typical pair of distressed denim jeans (see below) may feature worn areas in the knees and thighs as well as frayed edges. While stylish, however, distressed denim jeans typically degrade more quickly than traditional non-distressed denim jeans. If the fabric is already frayed, for instance, regular wear may cause them to fray even further. Eventually, they’ll degrade to the point where they are no longer wearable. If you want your jeans to last for years, stay away from distressed denim and choose a traditional style instead.

Avoid Dry Cleaning

Think dry cleaning is the safest way to clean your denim jeans? Think again. While it doesn’t use water, dry cleaning uses other liquid chemicals to clean garments — and these chemicals are significantly stronger than water. Granted, having your favorite pair of denim jeans dry cleaned once or twice shouldn’t cause any visible damage. If you dry clean them on a regular basis, however, it will degrade the denim fabric and shorten the life of your jeans. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid dry cleaning your denim jeans.

Wash With Cold Water

We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that you should always wash denim jeans in cold, not hot, water. Exposing your jeans to hot water can literally burn the denim fabric while also increasing the risk of shrinkage. Again, you won’t notice this damage immediately. Rather, it takes dozens of washes in hot water to noticeably affect your jeans. If you want your jeans to last, wash them in cold water. It’s just as effective at cleaning denim as hot water, but it doesn’t expose the denim to hot temperatures that could otherwise damage the fabric.

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Get the Right Length

Choosing jeans in the right size is important for several reasons, including comfort, support and aesthetics. However, it’s particularly important to choose jeans in the right length. If they are too long, the bottom may drag on the ground when you walk. So, why is this a problem? Well, allowing the bottom of your jeans to drag on the ground will cause them to wear more quickly. The bottom part of the denim will unravel, exposing the fabric to additional wear. Once this occurs, your jeans will quickly degrade to the point where you can no longer wear them.

Choose 100% Denim Jeans

When shopping for jeans, check the label to see what they are made of. Even if a pair of jeans looks like they are made of denim, they could have other fabrics like polyester. Stretch jeans, for instance, are typically made with a combination of denim and spandex and polyester. The presence of polyester or spandex allows the jeans to stretch, hence why they are called stretch jeans. The downside to stretch jeans, however, is their susceptible to wear and tear. Stretch jeans typically degrade more quickly than jeans made of 100% denim.

Choose Raw Denim Jeans

It’s also recommended that you choose raw denim jeans. In case this is your first time hearing about raw denim, let me explain. Raw denim is characterized by the use of denim fabric that’s not washed during its production. This is in stark contrast to washed denim, which is washed during production. Some manufacturers wash their denim to reduce shrinkage, but it comes at a cost. Raw denim jeans generally last longer than their washed counterpart, which is why it’s a good idea to choose the former instead of the latter.

Wash With Vinegar

A nifty little hack that can help make your jeans last for years is to wash them with vinegar. This will protect your jeans from fading while making them feel soft and fresh in the process. To do this, go ahead and wash your jeans with cold water and detergent as you normally do. In the final rinse cycle, however, you should add 1/2 cup vinegar.

Air Dry

Finally, consider air drying your denim jeans rather than using a conventional tumble dryer. If you have access to a drying line outside, you can hang your jeans to dry after they’re finished washing. This is a safe and effective way to dry your jeans that doesn’t expose them to damaging heat. The only downside is that it takes longer to dry, but most people will agree it’s a small price to pay. Air drying your jeans, when combined with the other tips listed here, can make then last for years.

Like all garments, jeans will eventually wear down, forcing you to replace them. However, you can often get five or more years out of your jeans by following some basic steps. So, if you want your jeans to last, follow the tips outlined here.

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