We've all been washing our jeans wrong: Replay's step-by-step guide to correctly launder our denim.
We think it’s safe to say, most of us just chuck our jeans in the wash and let's be honest, the dryer too.
Globally, the fashion industry is the second most polluting industry after the oil and gas sector. Taking care of our clothing and ensuring that it lasts has never been more important. It feels wrong to admit that we’re not washing our clothes regularly but when it comes to denim, we shouldn’t be!
Jeans should be washed as little as possible but when the time comes, follow Replay’s step-by-step guide below to ensure you do it correctly and consciously.
A few simple tips for successful washing
- Turn the jeans inside out and close all buttons and zips to reduce the risk of tearing or fading in the washing machine, and to avoid whitish streaks during the spin cycle that are difficult to remove.
- The first time you wash your jeans, do not put them in the washing machine together with whites or delicates.
- To avoid colour fading that will damage the rest of your laundry; as a general rule, always wash your jeans together with similarly coloured garments.
- Do not overload the washing machine, as this could make the spinning process less effective.
- If available, use the washing programme dedicated to denim, otherwise wash jeans in cold water or at a maximum temperature of 30° (depending on the label), as high temperatures can compromise the performance of denim.
- Use a mild detergent in liquid form and never use bleach or fabric softener; capsule or powder detergent is not recommended as it can leave white marks on denim.
How to dry your denim
- Let your jeans dry by laying them on a flat surface.
- Using a tumble dryer is strongly discouraged but if unavoidable choose the lowest setting and finish drying on a drying rack.
What to do between washes
- The most important element is allowing your jeans to breathe in order to rid them of odours and bacteria. For this reason hang them in your wardrobe using the belt loops instead of storing them rolled up in a drawer.
- If there are any small stains, you can use a damp cloth or an old toothbrush together with mild soap instead of machine washing.
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