How to wash and dry your jeans
While denim is hardwearing & durable, it still requires a little TLC to keep it at its best. Read on for our handy tips.
Introducing our expert: Laura de Barra
Our denim care guide below has been written in partnership with London-based fashion designer, turned consultant, Laura de Barra. A three-time No.1 bestselling author, her latest book Garment Goddess aims to educate readers about practical garment care, manufacturing standards, clothing quality and building a sustainable wardrobe. Hailing from Cork, Laura is a regular guest on RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio and The Late Late Show.
How to clean denim
Denim is a wonderful wardrobe staple due to its versatility and durability, with most of us having a favourite pair we wear multiple times a week. Knowing how to care for your denim will make sure they last as long as possible and keep your favourite jeans looking great!
Follow our simple guide to keep your jeans looking and feeling great for as long as possible.
How do you spot clean jeans?
Reducing the number of washing cycles a pair of jeans goes through will lengthen their lifetime. Less washes = more wears! This is where spot cleaning stains comes in handy. Here is the best way to do it!
Lay the garment on a flat surface and place a small plate behind the stain. This will contain the stain to one side of the garment and stop it from seeping through.
Mix 1/4 litre of tepid water with a few drops of neat washing detergent. This will have enough active ingredients to help you remove the stain effectively.
Soak a white cloth in the mix. Then, gently, dab the stain. You will see the stain start to lift from the fabric. Use a fresh piece of the cloth every few dabs until it has been removed.
For deeper stains like grass or mud: Before you do the above, allow some neat detergent to sit on the stain for ten minutes, then rinse. After this, you’ll notice that the stain will have lifted dramatically.
Air dry: Do not use any heat, as this can set some stains.
How do you wash jeans in a washing machine?
For occasions when you need a full garment refresh, your trusty washing machine may be the best route.
Turn them inside out: Turning your jeans inside out reduces the friction on the outer fabric, which helps prevent wear and tear and colour fade.
Close buttons and zips: Fastening zippers and buttons before the washing cycle prevents them from catching on other items in the wash. It also helps the jeans to keep their shape during washing.
Separate your colours: Washing dark and light colours separately helps reduce the risk of the dyes from dark denim running onto lighter fabrics. This means jeans will look newer for longer!
Load the washing correctly: Underloading will lead to wear and tear, and overloading means garments will not be washed thoroughly. For the perfect loads, make sure you have enough room to fit a closed fist on top of the clothes in the drum.
Don’t use too much detergent: When we use too much product, we clog fibres and affect the look of our clothing. This is especially true for denim!
Avoid fabric softeners: Fabric softeners can affect the hand feel of denim and dull its colours.
Wash at lower temperatures: Washing at lower temperatures, like 30 degrees, helps preserve both the fit and the colour of your jeans. Hot water can cause shrinking and fading, especially if you have elastane in your denim.
Remove denim from the drum quickly: Once the wash is finished, remove the load. Leaving denim to sit in the machine can lead to white marks on the fabric that can be hard to reverse.
How do you dry your jeans?
This part can be daunting, as it’s just as important as the wash.
As a rule of thumb, the best way to dry jeans is to air-dry them.
Start by shaking the jeans. This will fill the pockets in the fibres with air, giving them a smoother feel post-dry.
Pull out the pockets to speed up drying.
Depending on the jeans, you can also use an outdoor clothesline to line dry on warmer days.
How to tumble dry jeans
A common denim question — should you put jeans in the tumble dryer? Here are a few things to consider:
Always check the label first to make sure your jeans can go in the dryer. While air-drying is the recommended option, you can still use a tumble dryer if the right steps are followed.
Want to avoid saggy knees? It is good to note that jeans with a stretch will have elastane in them, which can break down over time when machine-dried. To keep the ‘give’ in your stretchy jeans, always air dry.
Turn the jeans inside out.
Set the machine to a low or no heat setting.
Remove them before they’re fully dry to prevent shrinkage.
Avoid over-drying as this can damage the fabric or cause the jeans to lose their shape.
Should you steam or iron jeans?
Steaming is better than ironing your denim, but not usually necessary for jeans. If needed, use a medium heat setting while the denim is slightly damp to smooth creases. Avoid high temperatures to prevent damaging the fabric.
Does the type of denim matter when washing jeans?
In most cases, yes! Here's a guide for washing different types of jeans:
How to wash new denim
- For the first few washes, separate them from the other loads of washing to prevent dye transfer, particularly if the denim is a darker wash.
How to wash white denim
- Wash alone or with other white clothing. Always separate them from other colours when washing.
How to wash raw denim
Raw denim is untreated and often very stiff. It’s designed to mould and shape to your body over time, so washing should be done sparingly to avoid losing the unique fit and texture.
Never tumble dry raw denim — air drying is essential.
Reshape while damp
Lay them flat to avoid distorting the shape or shrinking them.
How to wash black denim
Use a detergent specifically designed for dark clothes or denim to help preserve the colour and avoid bleach or any whitening products.
Always use cool temperatures when washing to avoid any fading.
When drying, air dry for best results, avoiding the tumble dryer where possible.
When air-drying your black jeans, keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent colour loss.
How to wash ripped denim
Ripped denim needs to be treated gently when washing due to the existing rips and tears in the jeans themselves.
However, if using a washing machine, make sure to turn them inside out and avoid putting them in a load with any prominent zippers or hooks that may catch.
A mesh wash bag can also be useful if you have one on hand.
FAQs:
How often should you wash jeans?
Jeans don’t need to be washed after every wear; unless they’re visibly dirty or smell. Air inside out after every wear, then spot clean where possible to preserve the fabric and colour.
What is the best temperature to wash jeans?
Washing your jeans in low-temperature water — around 30°C or lower (or 86°F), can help prevent fading and shrinking. Hot water can weaken the fabric over time.