We all have that favorite pair of jeans that goes with everything, from dressing up to dressing down. Considering the fact that for so many of us, our relationship with our jeans is an intimate one, we naturally want to make sure that they last for as long as possible.
One of the things we need to be on the lookout for when it comes to washing our jeans is fading of the color. Now, don’t get us wrong – sometimes, you want to fade the color of your jeans because you prefer a lighter shade – but, if you want to keep the color at the same darkness it was when you first bought the pair, then you’re going to need to take some extra measures when washing.
Keep in mind that denim is a fabric that doesn’t need to be washed as often as other fabrics. Assuming the jeans are made from 100% denim, you can even get away with washing them a few times a year unless they’re visibly dirty, or smell. Still, the dye used to give denim their signature blue color can run over time, meaning that after several years, your jeans will be a faded hue.
So, how can you prevent your jeans’ color from washing out? Good question.
Fortunately, there are some helpful methods that can preserve the color over time. Remember, at the end of the day, it’s unlikely that your jeans will stay the same color for the rest of your life. Still, you can dramatically slow down the process of fading by following some key tips we’ll be getting to shortly here.
Top 5 Tips to Prevent Jeans from Washing Out
These awesome tips below apply to all jeans that you own – regardless of color and whether or not they’re 100% denim (some jeans are made with nylon, polyester, or other materials woven into the denim).
Tip #1: Turning Jeans Inside Out Before Washing
At the end of the day, dyes can run from our clothes no matter how cautious we are. This is especially true of fresh jeans, which have been dyed more recently, and have excess dye in them that almost inevitably gets slightly washed away. But, one way to keep the dye from running is to turn your jeans inside out before washing them. This way, the water and detergent are making less contact with the outside part of the jeans, where you want to preserve the color. Plus, it prevents friction against other clothes, or the surface of your washing machine. Why’s this important? Well, because it can also roughen up the material and wear out the color of the fabric.
Tip #2: Color-Preserving Detergent vs. Vinegar to Avoid Losing Your Jeans’ Color
Detergent plays a big role in preserving the color of your jeans. The reality is that many commercial laundry detergents are made with harsh chemicals that strip away color from your clothes, while weakening their fibers.
Two options for washing jeans are choosing a mild/color-preserving detergent, or even using vinegar. Both of these choices are gentle enough to actually clean your jeans effectively, without stripping them of their dye. Grab Green’s 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods and 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder are each gentle to use, and contain natural ingredients to strip away dirt and grease without having a negative impact on the color itself.
In the event that you absolutely must use a whitening/brightening agent for whatever reason, we strongly recommend a bleach alternative, like our Bleach Alternative Pods, which use far gentler ingredients to achieve the desired effect.
Tip #3: Washing Jeans with Other Garments
Many people wonder whether jeans should be washed by themselves or with other garments. In fact, this doesn’t really have an impact on the fading/washing out of the color of the jeans. There are two other factors involved when making this decision.
One is that jeans made of 100% pure denim are more likely to shrink when washed on their own, compared to with other clothes. However, darker or newer jeans especially are more likely to run their dye onto the other clothing items in the washing machine.
Tip #4: Providing Proper Care to Coated Jeans
Coated jeans often require extra care. The coating itself is polymer, a type of plastic which is more vulnerable to getting damaged during the washing process, especially when it comes to heat. To wash coated jeans properly, we suggest turning them inside out, and then placing them in a mesh laundry bag. Use a gentle wash setting, along with mild detergent, and then dry them on a low heat setting.
Tip #5: Using the Right Water Temperature and Dryer Setting
Ideally, jeans should be washed in cold water, using a gentle wash setting. Cold water is far less likely to cause the dye to separate from the fibers of the jeans. Cold water is better at preserving colors on clothes in general.
Once you’re done washing your jeans, dry them on the lowest heat setting (or air-dry them if you can, which is even better). The heat of a dryer opens up the fibers of the jeans so that color can escape more easily. If you do end up using the dryer, don’t forget to use Grab Green’s Stoneworks Dryer Sheets, as these will help soften your jeans so that they’re as comfortable as possible.
Keep Those Jeans Looking Brand New
When it comes to jeans, it’s personal. We all want our favorite pair to last forever, continuing to be that most reliable piece of clothing in our wardrobe. Thankfully, there are plenty of tried-and-true methods for keeping the color preserved for as long as possible. The key is using gentle methods of washing, including the settings on your washer and dryer, and the detergent itself.
Grab Green Home is proud to offer gentle yet effective laundry products designed to preserve your clothes without the use of harsh chemicals. Our products are also environmentally friendly, not to mention, made with natural ingredients that’re effective yet mild to the skin. Explore our laundry collection today!