Denim Care 101 – How to Properly Wash and Dry Denim

Denim clothes, especially jeans, are a wardrobe staple and made to be worn repeatedly. Whether you wear them as part of a casual outfit or when you do heavy-duty jobs,, denim is the go-to choice for men and women alike. Lee denim is known for its durability and reliability with collections featuring stretch fabrication, modern styling and much more. Proper care and maintenance go a long way to extend its lifespan. We have curated a list of practical, easy to follow steps to taking care of denim.

Why Denim Care Matters

Denim has been at the core of Lee’s reputation for high-quality, durable clothing. Even the best ones thrive with some TLC. Taking the time and effort to properly care for your denim not only helps maintain their shape, colour and form, but it also keeps them feeling comfortable. Proper care of denim clothing, like jeans and jackets, helps extend their life so you can get more wears out of them.

How Often Should You Wash Your Denim?

This is a very common question when it comes to denim care – how often should you wash denim? Some say you should wash your jeans only every few months. While it is recommended that you don’t wash your jeans very often, for example, after every wear, we suggest washing them at least after 4-6 wears or depending on how often you use it and what you use it for. If you frequently wear them in warm temperatures or while doing physical work, you will need to wash them after 1-2 wears. If you wear denim casually for a lunch or an outing, you won’t need to wash them as often. We also recommend spot cleaning for any spills or stains and airing out between wears to maintain the fabric.

How to Wash Jeans : Here are a few simple steps you can follow when washing your jeans

How to Wash Jeans : Here are a few simple steps you can follow when washing your jeans

1- Empty the pockets : This small but crucial step can help protect your clothes for damage caused by items left in the pocket. A bunch of rolled up tissues can disintegrate in the wash and stick to your clothing, or forgotten pen can lead to a disastrous ink spread.
2- Zip-up and button everything : Close all zips and secure all the buttons to maintain their shape and prevent snagging of the fabric.
3- Turn the clothing inside-out : Often overlooked or forgotten, turning your clothing inside out can help maintain its colour and prevents fading and direct contact with any harsh ingredients used in the cleaning process. This is an essential step especially for dark coloured jeans that are prone to colour-bleeding.
4- Wash colours separately : This here is clothing care 101, not just for denims, but all kinds of clothing. Make sure you wash your dark and light-coloured clothes separately to avoid colour transfer. Put all your dark jeans in one load, while your light jeans go in a separate load.
5- Wash in cold water and choose the gentle cycle : Set your water temperature to cold to prevent shrinkage and fading. Make sure that you choose the gentle cycle when running a wash to reduce wear and tear on the fabric.
6- Use mild detergents and avoid fabric softeners : Use mild detergents, especially those formulated for darker colours. Dark jeans tend to lose colour more quickly than other colours if you use a regular detergent. Leave the fabric softener behind. While they give your clothes a fresh fragrance, it can leave a residue on your denim which is hard to get out and can affect the texture and appearance of the clothing. A simple DIY vinegar rinse is a great alternative and gets any detergent residue off too.
7- Don’t wash too much together : Limit the number of pieces you put together in a wash. Washing too many together can not only cause risk of damage, it also does not give enough space for your clothes to move around, thus not cleaning them properly.
8- Hand-wash when needed : Hand washing is an option for Raw and Selvedge jeans. Fill a bucket or basin with water and soak your denim in it with a cap of detergent. Rinse the clothing well and make sure you get all the detergent residue out while flipping them over a few times.

How to Dry Denim Properly

When it comes to drying your denim clothing, air drying is the best. Lay them flat or from the waistband to retain their shape. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent colour fading. You can also dry them inside out. It is best to avoid a tumble dryer as the heat can damage the elasticity of the denim and cause shrinkage. To reshape jeans, it is recommended to do so while they are damp.

Bonus Tips for Long-Lasting Denim

Bonus Tips for Long-Lasting Denim

• The best ways to store denim are to keep them folded or hung from belt loops to retain its shape.

• Use a fabric refresher spray between washes when you feel like it needs a little care but don’t want to run it through the entire wash cycle.

• If you need to, iron denim on low heat and inside out to avoid any colour fading.

• We know dry cleaning can be the easy option, but try to avoid it unless it is absolutely necessary.

While these tips apply to most denim clothing, raw denim and stretch denim may have different needs when it comes to care and maintenance.

Always refer to care labels when taking care of denim.

Understanding the fabric and the care it needs can make a difference in helping it last longer, maintain its look and stay comfortable with every wear.