Everyone’s got that fave pair of jeans they wear over and over (and over) again. Want to make sure yours stay looking good no matter how much you wear them? Here’s everything you need to know about caring for your jeans and making them last - you’re welcome!
Taking proper care of your jeans starts with how you store them. That means folding them (hanging can stretch the material out of shape) when you’re not wearing them and making sure they’re free from dirt or stains before you put them away. Keep your jeans somewhere cool and dry to prevent damage or damp getting to them..
If you notice a loose button or a small rip, fix it as soon as you can. This can help you keep on top of any damage. Tighter or longer jeans styles can be more prone to wear and tear, so you might want to be a bit more careful if you’re wearing these styles regularly.
If you’ve caught your jeans and ripped them, or they’re a bit worn, repairing them can help stop the damage from getting any worse and can give your jeans a new look, too.
You can add a sew-on or iron-on patch over the top of rips to hide any tears and add a bit of strength back into the material (plus they can look super cute). Another option is to sew up the jeans and leave the repair visible for a more distressed look.
Don’t feel confident DIYing it? Take it to someone who does alterations or repairs, or bribe a friend or family member who’s handy with a sewing needle.
You don’t need to wash your jeans after every single wear (unless they’re dirty, obviously). Washing too often can mean your jeans fade faster and wear out more quickly. Instead, spot clean and air them out between wears.
If you’re wearing jeans for everyday events, you probably only need to wash them every 3 wears at most. You can probably get away with washing them even less than that as long as you’re happy with how they look and feel. If you’re working up a sweat, something gets spilled on them or they get dirty then wash as you need to.
Start out by checking the care label on your jeans to make sure you’re not washing them at too high a temperature or on the wrong setting. Most jeans should be machine washable, unless they’ve got loads of embellishments or details on them - if that’s the case you’ll want to handle with a bit more care.
Make sure you wash your jeans with similar colours so other colours don’t run, fade or change the colour of your denim. Start out by turning your jeans inside out as this can help preserve the colour of the denim during washing.
If you’re worried about the colour, or your jeans shrinking, wash them in cold water. It’s a bit gentler on the fabric and it’ll keep your jeans looking fresh for longer. Skipping the fabric softener can help keep your jeans in shape too, as it can break down elastane or spandex in stretchier jean styles.
Air-dry your jeans wherever you can. Putting them in the dryer can cause shrinkage and fading, as well as wearing out the fibres. Try to dry them on a rail or washing line if you can, but laying them flat on a clean, dry surface can work to help them keep their shape, too.
