Want to keep your jeans looking new? Everyone has a favorite pair of denim jeans that they immediately look for in their closet when getting ready in the morning. Maybe it’s a new pair of premium denim stretch jeans, or perhaps it’s a pair of faded and distressed jeans. Regardless, you probably want to preserve its original appearance. Because once it’s gone, you may struggle to find another pair with the exact same design and construction. The good news is that you can get more life out of your jeans by following a few simple steps.
#1) Turn Inside Out When Washing
When it’s time to wash your denim jeans, take a minute to turn them inside out. This will protect the exterior denim — the part that’s visible — from the harsh water and aggressive “drum” of your washing machine. It only takes a few minutes to turn your jeans inside out, but doing so can make a world of difference in their appearance.
#2) Wash Less Frequently
While we’re talking about washing your jeans, it’s also recommended that you wash them less frequently. Some people assume that they must wash their jeans each time after wearing them, but there’s no rule — written or otherwise — stating this as fact. On the contrary, most experts will agree that it’s best to wash your jeans less frequently. The more you wash them, the faster they’ll degrade. Each time you wash a pair of jeans, damage occurs to the fabric. It’s usually small and insignificant, but it can add up over time.
#3) Choose Premium Denim
Not all jeans are made of the same quality denim. Unfortunately, some companies attempt to cut corners by using low-quality denim and low-quality craftsmanship in the production of their products. The end result is a lackluster pair of jeans that quickly degrade and break down, forcing the individual to spend more money on a new pair. You can avoid this headache by choosing a pair of premium denim jeans. Here at MakeYourOwnJeans, we offer one of the largest selections of high-quality denim jeans and other related denim products at rock-bottom prices.
#4) Washed Denim
In addition to being premium, it’s also a good idea to choose washed denim jeans. Although there are dozens of types of denim, most fall under one of two categories: washed or raw. Washed denim refers to denim materials that have been washed and dyed during production. In comparison, raw denim has not been washed or dyed during production. Some people prefer the darker, deeper tone of raw denim. The problem with raw denim, however, is that washing it just once can cause it to shrink and fade — even if you take precuationary steps to avoid it. Because of this, it’s recommended that you stick with washed denim jeans.
#5) Avoid Harsh Spot-Cleaning Products
There’s nothing wrong with spot cleaning your denim jeans. On the contrary, this is actually a great way to clean and remove stains from your jeans without washing them in the washing machine. However, you should use caution to ensure that any spot-cleaning products used on your jeans won’t damage the denim materials. Some store-bought fabric cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that stain or otherwise damage denim. If you’re going to use a new spot-cleaning product on your favorite pair of jeans, test it in a discreet area to see how it affects the denim. As long as it doesn’t stain or damage it, you can proceed to use it on the rest of your jeans.
#6) Inspect Regularly
Of course, you should get into the habit of inspecting your denim jeans for damage on a regular basis. Every few weeks, inspect areas like the seams, fly (or buttons) and ankles for signs of damage. If you discover a missing button, for example, you should be able to replace it. If the stitching it coming loose, you can remove the damaged part and secure it back to your jeans. Regardless, it’s important that you inspect your jeans for damage such as this on a regular basis. And if you discover any damage, take the necessary action to repair it.
#7) Don’t Allow Bottom to Drag on Ground
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should avoid allowing the bottom of your denim jeans to drag on the ground. It’s not uncommon for people to wear long jeans with flip flips, sandals or other open-toed shoes. In doing so, the bottom part of their jeans drag on the ground, resulting faster wear and degradation of the denim materials. You can easily prevent this from happening by ensuring that your jeans don’t drag on the ground. If they are long, consider wearing traditional shoes or boots rather than flip flops or sandals.
#8) Use the Right Detergent
Don’t underestimate the importance of cleaning your denim jeans with the right detergent. This doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive detergent is the best. In many cases, cheaper varieties work just as well, if not better, than their premium, higher priced counterparts. The key thing to remember is that you need to choose a detergent that’s gentle on denim and won’t cause it to fade. A detergent with a color-guard additive, for instance, is a great all-around choice for cleaning denim.
#9) Air Dry
Rather than drying your denim jeans in the clothes dryer, hang them on a line to dry. Even if you don’t have access to an outside “clothes drying” line, you can still air dry your jeans by hanging them on the shower curtain rod.
#10) Avoid Distressed Denim
Finally, try to avoid distressed denim jeans. As the name suggests, distressed denim are designed to look and fell and like they’ve been aged and worn in. Usually, this means patches of visible wear around the thighs, knees and other areas. Distress denim, while stylish, typically degrades more quickly than non-distress denim, which is why it’s best to choose the latter if you’re worried about your jeans breaking down.
