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Denim vs. The Washing Machine

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via Pink Peonies
I'll admit, I don't wash my jeans every time I wear them. I have a couple favorite pairs that I'll wear 2-3 times a week. When you invest in a great pair of perfectly fitting jeans, you don't want them to fade and stretch in the washing machine.

Even the CEO of Levi Strauss has said that he hasn't washed his favorite pair of jeans in over a year! A WHOLE year! Okay, I don't think I could last an entire year without washing my favorite H&M jeans. But as gross as this idea may sound, bacteria can't actually live on your jeans.

A college student wore his jeans for 15 months without washing them to find out if this can actually be hazardous to your health. The answer: No!  The amount of bacteria found after a couple wears, compared to the bacteria levels after 15 months, were found to be nearly identical. I understand the desire to keep your favorite jeans in mint condition, but going an entire year without washing may be a little excessive. I don't know about you, but considering of often I spill my white mocha, my jeans have to get washed quite a bit.

So how often should you wash your denim and ensure they stay good as new?

1. Wash your jeans approximately every 4-5 wears.

There isn't a fancy formula as to how often you should wash your jeans. It's up to your own discretion. If you're more active and tend to sweat (or spill everything, like me), you may want to consider washing your jeans more frequently, if not after every wear. But assuming you keep up with general personal hygiene, you can probably get away with washing every few wears.

Now you may be wondering, what if they start to smell a little funky? Stick them in the freezer! Yup, you read that right. Simply seal them in a freezer bag, leave them overnight, and by morning, they'll feel and smell fresh and clean! Keep in mind, this won't actually clean them, but they'll feel a whole lot better.

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via Cosmopolitan

2. How to Wash:

In order to keep the longevity of your jeans, first turn your jeans inside-out. Turning them inside-out will keep their color from fading. Next, wash with cold water, and avoid putting them in the dryer. The dryer can shrink your denim and affect the overall shape. Instead, hang dry for a few hours or put them on while they're a little damp so that they can conform to your body as they dry for a better fit. 

3. Dark Denim:

If you have favorite dark wash denim, you don't want to lose that fabulous color in the wash. To keep your dark jeans looking...well, dark, try washing them with vinegar. Why vinegar? Vinegar seals in the dye and prevents it from bleeding or fading. Simply add 1/2-1 cup of vinegar to your cold wash cycle and turn your jeans inside-out. Voila! 

Alternatively, you can take a note from Levi's CEO and never wash them! Don't worry, I won't judge you.

Keep in mind, jeans really do conform to your body shape, and the more you wash them, the more this shape becomes lost. Follow this washing method to keep your jeans looking good as new!

Where do you go to buy your favorite denim? 

3 comments:

  1. You're a lifesaver! Denim tips are always wellcome.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're a lifesaver! Denim tips are always wellcome.

    ReplyDelete