Research showed that on average, a woman owns seven pairs of denim jeans! When asked for reasons why they purchased this type of pant, 56% said it was for their durability and 71% said it was for their flattering look. So, understandably, we want these qualities to last. Wear and tear is often inevitable but there are ways to maintain the colour and care for your designer denim. Trilogy Stores, stockists of designer skinny jeans, have provided us with some handy tips.
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When wearing and storing
Denim jeans are a go-to option for completing any outfit at any time of the year! We definitely get our wear out of them and want them to last as long as possible. There are some things that you can do to help maintain their flattering shape and fit.
First of all, wear them as much as possible before the first wash. This will help the denim conform to your body and help preserve them in the shape that you need them. Instead of washing after every time you wear them as you might with other clothing, denim experts recommend that you wash your jeans as seldom as possible. Washing too frequently has been known to fade the colour and damage the denim material. Instead, spot clean with a damp sponge or soft toothbrush to remove smaller stains. Or, if you feel as though your jeans need a freshen up, hang them outside to air or spray them with a fabric freshener.
When storing them in your wardrobe, try to avoid hanging them up with clipped hangers. These can dig into your denim and create impressions in the waistband or in the knees that can be hard to get rid of. Instead, fold jeans and place on shelves, or buy S hooks which you can attach to the belt loops and hang on a regular coat hanger.
When washing
The washing technique that you choose can be what causes your jeans to fade and not last as long as they should.
Turning your jeans inside out is a key tip. It reduces fading and prevents as much colour from running onto other garments. This method also stops buttons hitting against the drum in the washing machine and avoids damage to zips or press studs.
Wash on a cool, gentle cycle that is no hotter than 30 degrees. The heat can destroy the elastane and ruin the fitting shape of your jeans. You can buy a denim wash that has been designed to care for the colour and fibres in denim, it is non-biological and suitable for washing your favourite pair of jeans.
Putting too many pairs of jeans in the washing machine at one time can cause damage to the materials and the machine due to their weight. It is recommended that you wash a maximum of 4 jeans at once. You could also try hand-washing. Although it can be time-consuming, it’s a good way to avoid damage that could occur in the washer. Simply soak for 20 minutes in detergent and then air dry.
Make sure that you keep your colours separate too. Don’t put an indigo pair of denim jeans in with a pastel pair as the colour may run onto the lighter jean. When it comes to coated denim, these jeans should avoid the washing machine completely — opt for a dry clean instead.
There are some other tips out there, that are a bit out of the ordinary but might be worth a try… Some suggest freezing the jean when they need freshening up. Simply make sure that pockets are empty, fold up and place in a plastic bag. Keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to wear them next. Another recommendation is adding salt and vinegar to a hand wash. This is meant to prevent colour bleeding and keep the fabric colour set for longer.
When drying
When it comes to drying your designer jeans, you must be careful to not distort the shape of them or encourage fading.
Definitely do not wring dry. This can cause the shape of the jeans to change and cause wrinkles and creases that you’ll soon want to get rid of. Instead, roll up the jean and press firmly to release and excess water. You could hang the jeans up outside and allow to air dry, however some people are against this as the sunlight can cause fading. Alternatively, you could dry on a flat surface indoors or use a clothes rack.
Avoid drying on a radiator or in a tumble dryer — the heat from these can do damage to the denim. For the same reason, avoid ironing your jeans — simply put them on and the creases will fall out on their own.
A final tip is to read the manufacturer recommendations on the tag. The manufacturer knows the material the best and how to care for it without causing damage. Follow this advice for long-lasting jeans that will continue to flatter you.