No, the title is this blog post is not a typo. You really can make a pair of denim jeans softer by using salt. All it takes some traditional table salt, water and a little bit of free time. If you’re interesting in creating softer denim jeans, keep reading for a step-by-step walkthrough on this process.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that most jeans will naturally become softer as you wear and wash them. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but after wearing and washing the same pair of denim jeans for months on end, they will eventually feel softer than before. This is due to the fact that machine washing wears down the denim fibers, making the smaller, smoother and less rough. You can speed up this process, however, through the use of good old fashioned salt.
To make your jeans softer using salt, fill a large bucket with one gallon of lukewarm water and one cup of table salt. Stir the salt around so it’s evenly distributed throughout the water and not settling at the bottom of the bucket. After stirring the saltwater solution, place your denim jeans inside, pushing them to the bottom so they are completely submerged underwater.
Now comes the waiting game. Depending on the current state of your jeans, and just how soft you want them, you’ll need to let them soak in the saltwater solution for two to four hours. The longer they soak, the softer they will become. So, go watch a movie, run errands, or do something else to pass the time while your jeans are soaking up the saltwater. When you return, remove your jeans from the bucket, ring out the excess water, and place them in the washing machine. Once they are finished washing and drying, they should look and feel softer than before.
If your jeans still feel rough after following the steps outlined above, you may want to repeat the process a second time. Soaking them for a second time should make them even softer, and if they still aren’t soft enough for your liking, try doing it three times. Be warned though, constantly soaking your jeans in warm saltwater may cause them to shrink or fade.
