We all have our favorite pair of jeans that we find ourselves reaching for constantly.  And, for most of us, it would be nothing short of devastating if those jeans were to be ruined.  That’s why it’s incredibly important to know how to wash our jeans properly.  Failing to do so can cause our jeans to fade, shrink, or even tear, making them unwearable.  Fortunately, cleaning your jeans the right way takes little effort, and will extend their life for years, or even decades.

Do Jeans Need to Be Washed After Each Use?

One of the most common questions when it comes to washing jeans is whether or not they need to be washed after each time we wear them.  Actually, the answer is no.  Denim is a rugged material that can withstand a good amount of use before needing to be cleaned.  Washing jeans too frequently will wear away the fibers, and in turn, cause them to become unwearable sooner.  Not washing them then after each use, will make them last dramatically longer.

That being said, when should you wash your jeans?  Basically, you’ll know.  If they start to smell, if they’re visibly dirty, or if they’re becoming too stretched out from wearing them constantly, then it is time to give them a good washing.

Best Way to Clean Your Jeans

Jeans usually come with some type of laundering directions on their label, and it’s important to pay attention to that.  What the label says can be different from one pair to the next, mainly depending on whether or not your jeans are 100% denim, or if they’re blended with another type of material – such as a material that gives them some level of stretch.  So, always follow the label to make sure your jeans are getting the treatment they need.

Let’s go over the standard method for washing jeans.

1. Turn your jeans inside out, to avoid the outside making contact with other materials. The friction could cause your jeans to fade and wear.
2. Start a light cycle in your washing machine, using warm water. Anything more than a light cycle can cause agitation that damages the fabric. 
3. Use a high-quality, effective yet gentle detergent, like the 3-in-1 Laundry Detergent Pods or 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder which will clean your jeans perfectly without wearing out the fabric in the process.
4. Remove your jeans before the spin cycle is done. This may seem odd to do, but the spin cycle can agitate your jeans so much that the material starts to wear.  We recommend waiting about 60 seconds after the spin cycle starts before taking your jeans out.
5. Hang your jeans in order to dry them. Yes, you can put them in your dryer, and many people do, but ultimately this is gonna cause damage to accumulate over time, wearing out the fibers of your jeans until they’re completely worn.  Hanging your jeans does not agitate the fibers, and instead, will keep them in excellent shape for much longer.

What to Do if Your Jeans are Stained

Stains happen to all of us, and jeans can get stained from all kinds of things, including grass, blood, wine, mustard – you name it.  If your jeans are stained, the good news is, denim is a material that typically sheds stains easily.  You will need to remove the stain based on what type of stain it is – for example, removing a blood stain is very different from removing a grass stain.  Then, launder your jeans using the same method above, and they should be good as new.

Clean Jeans are Just a Wash Away!

If you want your favorite pair of jeans to last, you need to treat them gently, and make a point to not wash them too regularly or else fading and wearing is inevitable, even if you follow the directions above carefully each time.  Ultimately, denim is a forgiving material that can handle a lot of wear, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use caution when it comes to the actual laundering process.  Properly washing your jeans means making sure that they last for a long, long time.