Denim lovers will argue that you should wash your jeans as rarely as possible – generally speaking, the more often you wash them, particularly in the washing machine, the less likely they are to retain their shape and colour. And if you’ve been through the ordeal of finding the perfect pair, it’s worth looking after them.
One way is to simply rinse them in cold water – we’d go a step further and put a cup of distilled vinegar into the mix, as this will kill bacteria, while locking in the colour of the dye. Don’t worry, the smell will disappear once your jeans are dry. If they aren’t particularly dirty, hang them in the bathroom while taking a shower for a steam clean – this definitely won’t cause any shrinkage.
If you insist on using the machine, steer clear of detergent and wash on a very low setting. Once they’ve been washed, hang out in the fresh air, but make sure to turn them inside out first – the sun will bleach them much quicker than you think.
Another tried and tested method for a refresh is to freeze them. Yup, just pop them in the freezer overnight. It will eliminate any unpleasant odours and ensure that your denim maintains its shape and colour. We’d just recommend that you give them time to defrost afterwards, if you want to avoid chilblains.
