How to Clean Jeans & Properly Wash Your Denim Laundry Items
Jeans are the attire for just about all seasons and occasions. They are a versatile piece of clothing you can style in a variety of fashions, from ripped to low cut and more. Plus, they come in different washes and can be dressed up or down with the rest of your wardrobe. But jeans are just the tip of the denim iceberg.
You might have a particular fondness for wearing jean skirts in the summertime. Or, perhaps you’ve got a thrifty jean jacket you break out for special occasions. Regardless, almost everyone has a denim item in your closet. That means everyone has likely had the same issues with jeans shrinking or fading with time. So, let’s talk about how to wash jeans and denim items.
Read on for some tips and best practices when it comes to washing different types of jeans and denim. We’ll also discuss how to wash new jeans, how to keep jeans from shrinking and fading, with some additional callouts for how to clean different jean color washes so you can feel fresh and fantastic in your sleek denim fits!
Can Jeans Shrink?
You can expect your favorite pair(s) of jeans to shrink after the first wash because denim fabric goes through a process of relaxation. They may continue to shrink if you use warmer wash and high dryer settings.
Some people might want to know how to intentionally shrink their jeans for a slimmer or customized look. But others might not be looking to downsize.
How Do You Keep Jeans from Shrinking?
If you’re wondering how to keep jeans from shrinking, you want to use cold water when washing and opt for a low dryer setting. You may also decide to air-dry your jeans to avoid shrinkage.
Denim fabric shrinks because of consistent exposure to heat when washed in warm water or put into the dryer. So, if you have a dryer rack or typically hang laundry items on a line, you should consider air-drying your jeans whenever possible.
Should Jeans Be Washed Inside Out?
You should wash your jeans inside out to help guard against some wear and tear that can happen along the hems, pockets, zipper, and waistband edges when denim is put through the wash. It also helps to prevent buttons or zippers from snagging onto other items in the wash.
How Do You Keep Jeans from Fading?
Washing your jeans inside out is one of the best ways to keep your jeans from fading. It allows the inside of your jeans to absorb more of the friction and take direct exposure to the detergent, keeping your denim looking vibrant.
You should also try to choose a laundry detergent that helps keep clothes from fading, like ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ with Fade Defense Laundry Detergent! This liquid laundry detergent features a Fade Defense technology that helps protect lights and darks from fading. It is also more concentrated per load than our prior formula while still having 3X concentrated stain fighters in every load vs. the leading value laundry detergent, so you can expect your jeans and other denim items to get a deep clean while helping to avoid frustrations of fading.
Tips for How to Wash Jeans & Other Denim Clothing
Having multiple pairs of jeans at the ready is always handy for any occasion, whether that’s a night out with friends or preparing for crisp fall weather. Follow some of these tips for how to wash those jeans and denim jackets so you can keep your items looking as good as new for a longer period!
1. Wash Jeans and Other Denim Alone
Many jeans are pre-washed during production to break down the dark indigo dye associated with denim and make the fabric lighter. However, some jeans and denim items come in a darker wash, like navy blue or black, and may be susceptible to color bleeding in the wash.
For those reasons, it’s wise to wash your jeans alone when you can, especially new jeans. If you cannot wash darker denim alone, try your best to wash with other clothes and laundry items of a similar color.
2. Turn the Jeans Inside Out
We’ve discussed the importance of washing jeans inside out. Aside from protecting the denim material, this also helps keep jeans from fading and can also prevent them from rubbing against anything else you may have thrown into the wash.
3. Choose a Stain-Fighting Laundry Detergent
You want a stain-fighting laundry detergent that provides a deep clean and helps remove those grass stains you might find on your jeans after a Thanksgiving family football game! That’s where ARM & HAMMER™ laundry detergents have you covered.
We talked about ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ with Fade Defense Laundry Detergent as an option that can help clean jeans while avoiding fading. But you may also consider choosing an ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ Odor Blasters Laundry Detergent to help power out smelly odors. Or, if you have sensitive skin, ARM & HAMMER™ Sensitive Skin, Free & Clear is a hypoallergenic laundry detergent that is free of dyes and perfumes while still boasting 2X powerful stain fighters in every load vs. the leading value detergent.
4. Wash in Cold Water and Choose a Low Dryer Cycle
Washing in cold water on a delicate cycle is the best way to keep your jeans, jean shorts, and denim jackets looking fresh. Additionally, a low-heat or tumble dry cycle can help to keep denim items from shrinking during the laundry process.
As previously mentioned, you might also choose to air dry to help prevent shrinkage over time. If you are intentionally hoping to shrink your jeans or denim jackets, you can choose a warm-water cycle and high dryer setting.
How to Clean Different Types of Jeans and Denim Washes
The term “blue jeans” is hardly all-encompassing of denim clothing. Jeans can come in different styles and colors. Your denim shorts may be frayed at the bottom, or you may have white jeans. No matter your style or level of customization, the process for washing different types is mostly the same!
How to Wash Black or Dark Jeans
Generally speaking, you should follow the above guidelines for washing black and dark jeans. Turn the jeans inside out and choose a laundry detergent that can help keep those darks dark and use a gentle cycle with cold water. Try to wash black or navy jeans separately or with other dark clothing.
How to Wash White Jeans
White jeans should be washed with other white laundry items. You should use a gentle or delicate wash cycle. Lightly-soiled white jeans should be washed in cold water while heavily-soiled white jeans should likely be washed in warm water, but check your fabric care label for the proper temperature.
You should also consider using an extra rinse cycle, as this can help ensure all detergent is removed from the fabric.
How to Wash Ripped Jeans & Jean Shorts
Ripped jeans and frill-bottom jean shorts may be your trendy look of choice. But do you have to wash these items differently than other types of jeans? No, you do not! You still want to wash ripped jeans and jean shorts in cold water on a delicate cycle. It’s especially important to turn intentionally ripped denim items inside out to protect trims and avoid further agitation.
How to Wash Denim Jackets
You put clean denim jackets in the wash using cold water and a delicate cycle. However, you might also choose to hand-wash denim jackets after pre-treating any stains.
If you decide to hand-wash your denim jacket, fill a tub or bucket with water and add laundry detergent as directed on the label. Make sure to dissolve the laundry detergent before adding your item(s). Soak the denim jacket in the mixture for 30-45 minutes, then drain the water and fill your tub or bucket with fresh, cold water. Let sit for 10 minutes before draining, then hang the jacket to dry in a cool, ventilated area to help prevent fading.
How Often Should You Wash Jeans?
How often you wash your jeans depends on their soil level and how often they are worn. If you typically wear jeans in warm, humid weather or when performing construction or landscaping jobs that may expose them to dirt and grime, you should wash your denim more frequently. Designer jeans or pairs worn more casually can be washed less frequently.
Always refer back to your jean manufacturer’s care instructions when deciding how often to wash your jeans.
Clean Your Jeans and Denim with ARM & HAMMER™ Laundry Products!
When you need to clean your favorite pair of jeans or denim jackets, turn to ARM & HAMMER™ liquid laundry detergents, paks, powders, or laundry detergent sheets to help make your clothes smell fresh!
- ARM & HAMMER™ Plus OxiClean™ with Fade Defense Laundry Detergent has Fade Defense technology to help keep your jeans and other denim clothing from fading, with concentrated stain fighters still providing a thorough clean.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Deep Clean Laundry Detergent is our most powerful formula, cleaning and removing the dirt and stink that gets deep into clothing fibers. It’s ideal for HE washing machines and also works in standard machines at all washing temperatures.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Clean Burst Laundry Detergent is concentrated with 2X powerful stain fighters in every load vs. the leading value laundry detergent. This high-efficiency laundry detergent has a low-suds formula with a fresh scent.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Power Sheets™ Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent are liquidless laundry detergent sheets that come in lightweight, portable boxes. They are ideal for on-the-go laundry while still offering an effective clean!
