Denim pants are a very popular piece of clothing and are a must-have item for most people. These pants are comfortable and flexible, and can be paired with a shirt and jacket or with a t-shirt for a casual look. Most denim pants are primarily made of cotton, so they are durable and will last a long time with the right care. Learning the basics of how to wash denim pants will help keep them looking good and lasting for years.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Machine Washing Your Denim Pants
Step 1. Set your washing machine on a gentle or fine wash cycle
To keep your denim pants looking the way they looked when you bought them, wash them on a gentle cycle. This will reduce the risk of your denim pants getting worn out, keeping the color and design intact.
- Use a gentle, eco-friendly detergent (such as Woolite) when you wash your denim pants. Do not bleach or use detergents that contain bleach.
- You can use a soft fabric softener if you want your denim to be a little softer.
Step 2. Fill the washing machine with cold water
Do not wash denim pants in hot water. Warm water can also be used when washing your denim pants.
Hot water can cause denim to fade, especially darker denim. Hot water can also shrink the fabric
Step 3. Turn the inside of your denim pants outwards
The process of washing denim pants can erode the fabric. Not only do clothes rub against each other, but detergent, as well as zippers, buttons, and snaps, can damage colors and fabrics.
Read the label on your denim pants for any specific washing instructions you need to follow. Some denim pants must be washed alone in the first wash, or they must be washed very rarely. Make sure you follow the recommended care instructions
Step 4. Put your denim pants in the washing machine only along with other denim pants or clothes of a similar color
One of the main factors to consider when washing denim pants is the discoloration of the fabric. Washing too often can cause your denim to lose color or fade.
If you wash your denim pants with denim pants or other lighter-colored clothing, the clothes will all color each other. To be on the safe side, wash all of your denim pants separately
Step 5. Dry your denims by hanging them
Do not dry using a tumble dryer. Avoid over-drying your denim to prevent shrinkage and discoloration of the fabric.
- If you want to dry your denims from time to time in the dryer, dry them on a gentle cycle setting on a low temperature. Remove the pants while they are still slightly wet and allow them to dry on the clothesline.
- Before you hang the denims on the clothesline, stretch the seams of the pants to help avoid shrinkage.
- Fold your denim pants once at the knees and hang them on a hanger or clothesline. Folding the pants too much while drying can cause wrinkles and creases.
Method 2 of 2: Caring for Your Denim Pants Without a Machine
Step 1. Wash your denim pants in the sink or basin
Washing denim pants by hand can make the color last longer and reduce the risk of the pants getting tarnished faster than washing them in a washing machine.
- Fill a basin with cold or lukewarm water a few inches high. Mix a mild detergent that is safe for the color of the clothes into it.
- Turn the inner side of the pants out, then lay them flat in the basin. Don't place it untidy or wrinkle it. Soak for about 45 minutes.
- Rinse the pants under running water. Dry by hanging.
Step 2. Wash your denim pants only when necessary
Many people, including CEO Levi Strauss and designer Tommy Hilfiger, recommend washing your denim pants only a few times a year. Washing can cause stains on denim pants. Casual denim pants won't get dirty enough to have to be washed after every use.
- Many expensive designer jeans are made from raw denim, which means they haven't been faded in color and aren't dyed indigo. Daily wear helps the raw denim material adapt to your body, and in itself creates a faded feel to the pants.
- Denim pants that have been tinted by the manufacturer can be washed in almost any way.
- Wash denim pants every 2 to 6 months, depending on how often you wear them, the type of denim you wear, and your personal opinion.
- The schedule for washing denim pants depends on their use. Denim pants used for outdoor work need to be treated differently than designer denim pants worn for evening events.
Step 3. Clean the pants only on the stained area
Use water and a cloth to remove any spilled stains on your denim, not tossing them in the washing machine.
Be careful using soap to clean stains on pants. If your pants aren't the one that's been dyed indigo, the soap can cause discoloration at the spot you're cleaning, which will mess up the look of your denim pants
Step 4. Air your denim pants if they smell a bit
If you're trying not to wash your denims as often, but then they start to smell, try hanging them on a clothesline outside for at least 24 hours.
You can also use deodorizing spray on your denim pants to remove odors
Step 5. Freeze your denim pants
One trick to extending the life of your denim pants between washes is to freeze them when they start to smell. One of the main reasons denim pants start to smell is because bacteria from our bodies transfer to the fabric during use. These bacteria cause odor. Freezing your denim can kill most of these bacteria, which will help reduce odors.
- You can just put denim pants in the freezer without any protection. However, this can allow whatever is in your refrigerator to move into those denim pants. Try a canvas clothing bag, or any bag that has air circulation (unlike plastic bags).
- Let the pants warm up before you put them on.
Step 6. Know when it's time to wash your denim pants
Wearing it once or twice doesn't mean it's time to toss it with other dirty clothes. Denim pants have a very different lifespan. Wait until the denim begins to sag down the buttocks, the knees stretch or the fabric creases behind the knees, and the waist is very loose. All of these things mean it may be time to wash your denim pants.
Tips
- If you are washing denim pants for the first time, wash them alone or with other clothes that are a darker color. The blue dye used to dye denim pants will usually fade during the first wash.
- If you want to machine wash a lot of denim, put no more than 5 denims in one wash. Denim pants are a heavy piece of clothing and putting too many of them in one wash can cause the washing machine to run slower and not wash properly. In addition, too many denim pants tucked in can cause damage to the fabric.
- Don't use detergent the first time you wash your denim pants.
Warning
- Never use bleach when washing denim pants. Not only will this cause the color to fade drastically, but it can also cause the fabric to be damaged.
- When learning how to wash denim pants, keep in mind that they can shrink if you use hot water or dry them in the dryer for too long. The higher the cotton content in the pants, the more likely it is that the denim will shrink.
- Do not wash denim pants on a vigorous wash cycle with your washing machine unless the pants are very dirty. This can cause the fabric to tarnish more quickly than if you washed it on a less vigorous wash cycle.
- If you hang your washed denim pants outside, never hang them in direct sunlight. This can cause the color to fade.
