Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Denim Washing Techniques

There are several ways to wash your denim jeans.


Denim is a durable material that can withstand a lot of wear. While it makes up many different forms of clothing, the most common article of clothing made from denim are jeans. Jeans are the classic casual pant, hailed for their flexible style and resistance to damage. Due to its hardy nature, denim has become a fashion staple the world over. Knowing properly wash your denim can extend the life of the fabric and keep it looking fresh and new.


Machine Wash


Machine washing can be the most effective way to get your jeans clean, though the washing machine itself can cause wear to your jeans faster. Before putting your jeans into the washing machine, be sure to remove all objects from the pockets and turn the jeans inside out. Objects left in the pockets can create stretching and discoloration, while not turning your jeans inside out can cause fading due to friction caused by the machine and the jeans rubbing against other clothes. Since denim is very heavy when wet, don't wash more than four pairs of jeans at once. Washing more may strain and damage your machine.


Hand Washing


Washing your jeans by hand can allow you to take care of any tricky stains and can be a gentle way of cleaning thinner or worn denim. Don't use bleach, as it will damage your skin and your denim. Use a mild detergent and medium heat. If you need to get rid of stains, use a bit of white toothpaste (opaque toothpaste, not gel) and an old toothbrush to scrub them out. Add some vinegar and baking soda to the water for extra stain-fighting power. The vinegar will also act as a disinfectant and the baking soda will remove tough odors.


Spot Cleaning


When cleaning newly formed spots and stains on a pair of jeans that you have just washed, using plain water usually won't get rid of the stain or odors. Use some vinegar and baking soda to make a paste and scrub it into the stain. Rinse the stain with club soda and then with clean water before hanging the pants up to dry. Do not put the jeans in the dryer. The fibers in the wet spot will have stretched and the denim will look warped if dried too quickly.


Reading Labels


For more specific instructions on wash your denim clothing, check the attached label. This will give you the most effective way to wash that specific article of clothing that will make the fabric last the longest. The method for washing each type of denim may have stark differences. The label may list everything from temperature to detergent usage to dry cleaning and spot cleaning. Make sure to read clothing tags before experimenting with new washing methods.







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