Washing jeans is an art form. If you just throw them in the washing machine without thinking, you risk turning them into a faded memory of what you once wore with pride.
Let those who haven't had one raise their hand. jeans, which were perfect – the right color, the right cut, and with just the right patina. And then… BAM. One wrong wash of jeans and your favorite wardrobe staple becomes that pair you only wear at home. Or not even that.
To avoid this tragedy (which isn't quite on the level of a Greek drama, but still), we've prepared a mini guide: how, when, and at what temperature to wash your jeans so they'll be with you for many years to come.
How many times can you wash them?
First of all: don't overdo it. Jeans are not cotton shirts after exercise. On average, washing after three to four wearings – but if you spent a day at a festival in the mud or wore them in the middle of the summer heat, it's worth using common sense (and detergent).
If they are not visibly dirty or soaked with the smells of city traffic, simply air them out. Sometimes they benefit from a night on the balcony. For extra freshness, you can also use fabric deodorant, or – yes, this really exists – freezerThe cold is supposed to kill bacteria and neutralize odors, although to some it still sounds like an urban myth. But if we can put jeans in the freezer, then we can really say that fashion has come a long way.
Ideal temperature for washing jeans
So, now to the specific question: At what temperature should we wash jeans?
Answer: between 30 and 40 °C. This is the golden rule that preserves the color, shape, and elasticity of the material. Lower temperatures are gentler on the fabric and pigments – especially with dark jeans, where any loss of hue hurts like revisiting the electricity bill.
Temperatures above 40°C? Only if you're driven by your inner saboteur or want to accidentally transform your jeans into a 7/8 model.
Don't forget to check labels with care instructions – sometimes it can surprise you with the rules for washing jeans.
What about fabric softener? No, thank you.
Although it smells and gives fabrics a feeling of “soft, cloud-like, embracing warmth,” in jeans fabric softener is not your friendIt can weaken denim fibers and create a film that prevents the material from “breathing” (yes, textiles need oxygen too!).
Alternative? White vinegar. Add a drop or two to the fabric softener drawer and your jeans will be softer without losing their identity. Plus: it also helps set the color. Double win.
Summary for those of you who scrolled all the way to the end (we know you did)
- We wash jeans after 3–4 wears (or when they become really “lively”).
- Washing temperature: 30-40 °C. Lower is better.
- Fabric softener? No. Vinegar? Yes.
- Ventilation and freezing as a substitute for washing? Why not?
- Always check label, although we know you're tempted to cut it off right away.
If you follow these rules, your jeans will survive more seasons and more fashion fads. And who knows – they might even become a vintage treasure that your children will want to inherit. Unless, of course, you iron them at 90°C in the meantime.
