Four denim mistakes
What not to ever do with your denim? Keep your jeans in good shape for years by following these four basic rules. Why washing them often can be harmful?
4 Things You Should Never Do to Your Denim
Jeans are a wardrobe staple for most of us. And, while you used to be able to pick up a pair for under $50, nowadays quality denim is more expensive than ever. To make your next pair a true investment piece and ensure your favorite figure-flattering jeans remain in good shape for years to come, follow these four basic rules of denim care.
Don’t Wash Jeans Often
Unless you’ve spilled something you can’t wash out with a simple wet cloth, resist the urge to wash after every wear. Repeated washing will cause your jeans to fade, lose their shape, and wear out faster. CNN recently reported that one University of Alberta student resisted washing his jeans for 15 months. While that may sound gross, after swabbing the jeans for bacteria, it turned out that they were no dirtier than when they were washed and worn for just 13 days!
Never Wash in Hot Water
When it is time to wash your jeans, be sure to do so in cold water. Hot water can cause damage to denim’s fabric fibers. Also, aways wash your jeans inside out (this is especially important for dark denim) and hang them to dry. Avoiding a hot wash and warm tumble dry will prevent jeans from shrinking and increase their overall lifespan.
Never Iron Your Jeans
Just like washing jeans in hot water, applying intense heat and steam from an iron can damage denim fibers, set in stains, and create creases that are difficult to flatten again.
Don’t Subject Your Jeans to Fading
To preserve the color of your dark jeans, skip home washing all together and drop them off at the dry cleaner instead. The chemicals used in dry cleaning are much less harsh than detergent and won’t strip as much color from the fabric fibers. Yes, it’s expensive, but if you made a serious investment in your jeans (or adore them and know you’ll never find another pair like them), you may as well do your best to protect them.
(From Kaboodle)
