DENIM CARE
contrary to what some folks say, when you ask us if you should wash your beloved jeans, we'll say yes… but there's a little more to it.
( when to wash )
there's no right or wrong answer. we've seen great jeans that are washed quite frequently. we've seen beautiful jeans that have never seen a wash. at the end of the day, we recommend what works best for you. in general, wear often, wash not so often.
( how to wash )
we have a few answers. here are a few of our favorite methods:
( method no. 1 )
the machine wash
1) turn your jeans inside out
2) set washing machine to gentle cold (or other cold-water wash method - the less agitation the better)
3) let the machine begin to fill, add detergent
4) place your jean by itself in the washing machine
5) when the wash cycle is complete, pull jeans out and turn right-side out, shake or smooth any wrinkles or creases in fabric (to protect the unique character of your jeans, you can remove them before the spin cycle)
6) hang jeans to dry. if you're in a rush or prefer the dryer, go ahead and throw them in on tumble dry, no heat
( method no. 2 )
the tub soak
1) fill your tub with lukewarm bath water, add in a bit of detergent
2) submerge the jean and gently agitate the water, moving the jeans around, wipe away any excess dirt
3) let the jean soak for 10 - 15 minutes
4) let the water drain from the tub, and while draining, wring out any excess water from your jeans
5) hang the jeans to dry, make sure to smooth out any wrinkles or creases in the fabrics
( method no. 3 )
the no-wash
for those of you who want to keep the creases sharp and retain every detail of the life of those jeans, avoiding a wash or tub soak is a great option.
indigo will chip and break down around the points of highest friction - areas like the knees, hips and cuffs.
if you're keen on never washing, we recommend a few things for accidents that can happen. take a look at our general maintenance below.
( general maintenance + care )
a few tips for general care and maintenance for the time between washes.
spot cleaning
let the mess dry. use a dry rag to brush the gunk away. then slightly dampen the rag and blot the spot. try not to scrub - friction will lift off the indigo, leaving you with a bright, whiter spot you want to avoid.
odor
you can always let them air outside on a nice day or use a mild odor-fighting fabric spray when needed.
shrinkage
washing and drying your jeans can always result in a bit of shrinkage. even with cold water and no heat in the dryer, you may see slight shrinkage with rigid jeans. whenever possible, avoid heat.
indigo dye transfer
you may notice some indigo pull out of the jeans during the wash. it's natural, and normal. we recommend washing your jeans alone or with other denim.