After buying a new pair of denim shorts, you should take precautions to ensure that they don’t rip, fray or otherwise succumb to damage. Denim shorts are undoubtedly durable. They are made of the same denim material as jeans. Like all garments, though, they can still degrade when neglected. By following these nine tips, you can make your denim shorts last a lifetime.
#1) Choose Enzyme-Washed
Enzyme-washed denim shorts are better protected against damage than their raw or unwashed counterparts. What are enzyme-washed denim shorts exactly? As the name suggests, they are denim shorts that have been washed with a special type of cellulose enzyme during production. The cellulose enzyme helps to soften the denim material while giving the shorts a naturally aged and broken-in appearance.
#2) Wash Less Frequently
You don’t have to wash your denim shorts each time you wear them. Washing them less frequently can actually extend their usable life. Each time you wash a pair of denim shorts, you’ll expose them to mechanical stress. Washing machines are aggressive. The more you wash your denim shorts, the greater the risk of damage. By washing them less frequently, your denim shorts will be better protected against premature wear and tear.
#3) Get the Right Size
Don’t forget to choose denim shorts in the right size. With the right size, you’ll get more use out of them. More importantly, your denim shorts will be less likely to sustain damage. Denim shorts may sustain damage if they are the wrong size. If they are too small in the waist, for instance, you may accidentally stretch them when putting them on. You can protect your denim shorts from overstretching, as well as other forms of damage, by choosing the right size. Custom-sized denim shorts, for example, give you the freedom to specify your own body measurements.
#4) Skip the Stretch
For the most durable denim shorts possible, you should avoid those made of stretch denim. Instead, stick with shorts made of 100% plain denim. There are plain denim shorts, and there are stretch denim shorts. Plain denim shorts are made entirely of denim. They don’t have any other fabric in their construction. Stretch denim shorts, conversely, are made of stretch denim. Stretch denim is a combination of regular denim and an elastic fabric. While it’s soft and elastic, stretch denim is weaker than plain denim. As a result, you may want to skip stretch denim and, instead, choose shorts made of plain denim.
#5) Don’t Use Bleach
Another tip to make your denim shorts last a lifetime is to keep them away from bleach. While effective at whitening clothes, bleach can cause permanent discoloration on denim garments. Denim, of course, isn’t white. It certainly has hints of white in it, but most denim consists of a light blue or indigo color. If you wash your denim shorts with bleach — even a small amount of bleach — they may suffer from permanent discoloration. To err on the side of caution, avoid using bleach when washing your denim shorts. If they are particularly dirty or dingy, try washing your denim shorts with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar.
#6) Air Dry
You can make your denim shorts last longer by air drying them. There are typically two ways that you can dry garments: You can either place them in a tumble-style clothes dryer, or you can hang them on a line to air dry. The former is the fastest drying method, but the latter is gentler. If you’re worried about your denim shorts succumbing to damage, you should air dry them. Don’t place them in a tumble-style clothes dryer after washing them. Instead, hang them on a line outdoors to air dry. It may take up to a half-hour, but air drying your denim shorts will protect them from damage.
Here are some tips to follow when air drying your denim shorts:
- Only air dry your denim shorts outdoors when it’s sunny and not raining.
- Avoid turning your denim shorts inside out.
- Use wooden clothes pins to secure your denim shorts to the line.
- Allow denim shorts to air dry for about 20 to 30 minutes, after which you can remove them.
#7) Read the Care Tag
Always read the care tag after buying a new pair of denim shorts. The care tag is a label that contains instructions on how to care for the denim shorts. Most garments come with a care tag. With denim shorts, you can usually find it inside the waistband. Different manufacturers use different techniques to make their denim shorts. Therefore, some of them require different steps to care for than others. You can learn the best way to care for your denim shorts by checking the care tag.
#8) Beware of Humidity
When storing your denim shorts for an extended period, you should consider the humidity level. Storing your denim shorts in a humid environment may result in damage. Humidity consists of moisture vapor in the air. A high humidity level indicates a high concentration of moisture vapor. When exposed to this moisture vapor, your denim shorts may develop mold or mildew. All clothes, in fact, can develop mold or mildew in humid environments. You can still store your denim shorts, but you should choose an area that’s not too humid.
#9) Iron With Low Heat
If your denim shorts are wrinkled, you can use an iron to smooth them out. With that said, you should set your iron to the lowest heat setting available. Most irons have multiple heat settings. While a high heat setting can make quick work of stubborn wrinkles, it may result in damage. Too much heat can singe your denim shorts. Alternatively, it may shrink them. This is why it’s best to start with a low heat setting and gradually increase the heat on your iron as needed.
