How to Wash Your Jeans So They Stay the Way You Love Them

We’ll get right to the point – you absolutely can wash your jeans if you want to. Phew. But that doesn’t mean you should be washing them after every wear. “I would suggest reducing the frequency of washing your jeans to keep their color in place,” Ryu said. “Washing your jeans every four to five wears should be enough for most pairs.”

On the other hand, some say washing is OK but they prefer to do it as little as possible. “I try not to wash my jeans,” Mazur said. “Sometimes it becomes necessary, but it is better to not wash them if you can.” In other words, Mazur thinks you should only wash them as needed.

Adams-Geller also has a trick for if you don’t want to give them the full wash but they’re starting to feel stretched out: “Put them in the dryer for a few minutes with a damp cloth to freshen them up.”

Which Setting to Use to Wash Jeans

Adams-Geller suggests washing jeans in cold water and hang-drying them. This method preserves their lycra so they don’t lose elasticity.

How to Wash Jeans: Hot or Cold Water?

Skipping the hot cycle will keep the dye in your jeans from bleeding, Mazur said, although it’s still a good idea to wash them with like colors. “True indigo jeans can bleed their color a lot,” he noted, so it’s better not to risk it. Another way to make sure they retain their color? “To prevent further fading, I would suggest washing your jeans inside out,” Ryu said. This also preserves the outer fabric overall, since less friction occurs on the outside of the jeans when you wash them inside out.

It can be tempting to wash a pair of jeans to refresh them when they don’t look neat and smooth, but in this case, it’s better to steam them out rather than putting them through the full wash and dry process, Ryu said. Storage is also key when it comes to preventing a wrinkled appearance. “Most can be folded, but I like to hang my flares or detailed jeans to minimize wrinkles,” she added.

How to Wash Jeans With Vinegar

It happens: you dripped some kind of food, toothpaste, or cocktail on your jeans. Instead of washing the entire pair, denim experts suggest you spot-treat just the stained area with vinegar. “I would avoid spot cleaners that contain chlorine bleach,” Ryu said. In place of a stain pen or wipe, she recommended opting for gentle soap or vinegar, which is a great alternative to harsh detergent.

“For darker indigo or black denim, it is best to wash your jeans inside out and put a splash of vinegar in the washer to help the dye from crocking too much. It’s a little like dyeing Easter eggs; it helps to lock in the indigo and black dye. You can also try turning your jeans inside out and washing with dark Woolite in cold water on the gentle cycle; this will also help your jeans not to fade,” Adams-Geller said.

You might wonder about how to properly care for jeans with embellishments like shredding studs and patches. Good news: the fabric-care tag will definitely have you covered. “Always follow the care instructions on the garment’s tags,” Ryu said, “as every style and wash is slightly different and requires different care methods.”