One of the many reasons why jeans are the single most popular style of pants is because they are durable. Featuring strong, hard-to-break denim, they can be worn for work or leisure. But many people are now choosing to wear stretch denim jeans. Unlike standard jeans, they are typically made with either polyester or a polyester-cotton blend, making them more susceptible to shrinkage from washing and drying. So, what’s the best way to care for polyester stretch denim jeans?
While some stretch jeans are more resistant to shrinkage than others, all jeans that are made of polyester will shrink to some degree when exposed to hot temperatures. Furthermore, polyester doesn’t hold up under stress as well as 100% denim, meaning it’s more likely to rip and tear when placed in the washing machine.
Spot Clean
Ideally, you should spot clean your stretch denim jeans using a warm washcloth with a small amount of laundry detergent. Place a washcloth under lukewarm water until it’s just slightly damp, place a couple drops of color-safe laundry detergent on the surface, and then gently scrub any dirty or stained areas on your stretch jeans. Assuming the stain is minor and hasn’t settled in yet, this should do the trick. Of course, stains that have already settled may require a little more work to clean. There are dozens of topical spot-removing products available for sale, some work while others don’t. If you are thinking about trying one of these products, though, you should test in a discreet area of your jeans to see if it works.
Machine Washing
Most stretch denim jeans can be cleaned in the washing machine, although you’ll want to follow a few basic rules. First and foremost, flip your stretch jeans inside out before washing them. Because the inside lining of jeans are more rugged, it should offer greater protection from washing machine-related damage. Also, be sure to use the cold water setting. Heat, such as that produced by the hot water setting on a washing machine, can damage and shrink polyester.
Read the Care Label!
When in doubt, refer to the care label on your stretch jeans for more information on how to wash and dry them. The manufacturer should include a small tag somewhere along the inside waistband, indicating the best way to care for the jeans. Given the fact that different jeans are made using different techniques, you should follow the manufacturer’s advice listed on the care label.
