The Proper Way to Care for Your Denim

Line dry your denim. Never dry them in the dryer as it will shrink them and break them down more quickly.

Line dry your denim. Never dry them in the dryer as it will shrink them and break them down more quickly.

Denim is a staple wardrobe piece that everyone seems to own. I mean, I have yet to stumble upon someone who doesn’t own a pair of jeans!

But not many people know how to properly care for their denim. “You mean there is a specific way?” you ask. Why yes, there is. And it’s important to extending the life of your jeans so that you get the most wear out of them.

There are different types of denim: raw and pre-washed. Raw denim is stiff and the color is uniform. You have to be careful of it fading onto other things, such as your lightly colored shirt or desk chair. Pre-washed denim is more soft and broken in for you. These are the “distressed” looking denim.

Caring for either types of denim are essentially the same, however. AVOID WASHING YOUR DENIM IN THE WASHING MACHINE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. Yes, you read that correctly. The more you wash your denim, the more you will either fade your raw denim or the more you will wear out your pre-washed denim. And let’s be real here, nice denim is expensive!

So how to you keep them smelling clean and fresh and remove stains without putting them in the washing machine?

  1. Spot clean- you some detergent and water to spot clean any areas that need it and let air dry.

  2. Freshen up by putting them in the dryer on a low setting with a dryer sheet but only for a short time (I say no more than 10 minutes). I prefer to use a dryer bag to avoid shrinking and wear and tear.

After about 10-12 wears and it’s time to wash your denim. Wash them on the delicate setting in cold water with a mild detergent. Then hang dry. You should not put your jeans in the dryer to dry them. It will only shrink them and break them down more quickly. And nobody wants that, am I right?

Want to learn more about how to properly care for your clothes and overhauling your closet? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Carrie

Carrie Hagee