Denim jackets are making a comeback in the world of modern fashion. Featuring the same cotton warp-faced fabric as jeans, they offer an unmatched level of durability, comfort and versatility. Whether you’re a man, woman, young or old, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality denim jacket. It’s the perfect choice of outerwear for nearly any occasion. Like all forms of outerwear, however, denim jackets require some basic maintenance to preserve their original appearance and structural integrity. So, if you want to make your denim jacket last (hint: you should), keep reading for some helpful tips on how to care for it.
Choose the Right Size
The first step in caring for a denim jacket is to choose the right size. Denim jackets are more likely to sustain damage if they don’t fit. An oversized jacket, for instance, will feature excess fabric that may drag and catch on objects; thus, causing damage. On the other hand, an undersized jacket may stretch when worn, also causing damage. Thankfully, these problems are easily avoided by choosing a denim jacket that’s sized specifically for your body.
Hang Them Up
Try to get into the habit of hanging up your denim jacket on a clothes hanger when you aren’t wearing it. I think we’ve all been guilty of tossing our jackets and coats on the floor without thinking twice. While this may seem harmless enough, it promotes the formation of wrinkles and creases, which are difficult to remove from denim. As long as you hang up your denim jacket after wearing it, however, it should maintain a wrinkle-free appearance.
Wash in Cold Water
Contrary to popular belief, washing clothes in hot water isn’t any better at cleaning or removing stains than cold water. In fact, hot water can actually damage the fabric while also causing it to shrink. For these reasons and others, it’s recommended that you wash your denim jacket in cold water. It’s just as effective at cleaning and removing stains than hot or warm water, but it doesn’t come with the risk of damage or shrinkage. Furthermore, it costs less to wash clothes in cold water simply because it doesn’t use electricity or gas to heat up the water.
Beware of New Products
Whether it’s a new laundry detergent, fabric softener, color guard additive, stain remover, etc. you should use caution when applying new products to your denim jacket. Even if the product says “safe for all fabrics,” it may stain or otherwise damage your jacket. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid using products such as these on your denim jacket. Rather, test them in a discreet location first to see how your denim jacket reacts. As long as you jacket looks okay, you can then apply the product to the rest of your jacket.
Use a Lint Roller
Don’t underestimate the value of a lint roller, especially if you own a denim jacket. As you may already know, a lint roller is a handheld device with strips of adhesive that’s typically used to clean lint from garments. You run the adhesive strips over your garment, at which point it catches lint, dust and dirt. You can buy lint rollers from most home goods stores for about $1 or $2 a piece, which is a small price to pay considering the convenience they offer. Whether you’re getting ready at home, driving in the car or taking a break at work, you can quickly and easily clean your denim jacket by using a lint roller.
Line-Dry
Rather than drying your denim jacket in a clothes dryer, try hanging it on a line. Known as line-drying, this is a safer way to dry denim garments, including jackets. While line-drying takes longer than using a traditional clothes dryer, it protects against shrinkage and other forms of damage. So, how do you line-dry a denim jacket if you don’t have access to a clothes drying line? You could always buy and install one in your back yard, though another option is to simply hang up your denim jacket on a bathroom shower curtain rod.
Wash with Vinegar
Denim jackets are often preferred over other styles of outwear because of their unmatched strength, durability and versatility. However, denim can feel somewhat rough, which is why it’s a good idea to wash your denim jacket with vinegar. Basically, this involves adding 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to your washing machine. The vinegar penetrates deep into the denim fabric, making it super soft. And surprisingly, it actually makes your denim jacket smell nice and cleaner afterwards. You don’t have to do this every time. Washing your denim jacket just once with vinegar every few months will keep it soft and comfortable.
Wash with Similar Colors
Of course, you should also wash your denim jacket with similar-colored clothes. Assuming your denim jacket features a traditional light blue color, for instance, you should wash it with other light blue clothes. Doing so reduces the risk of bleeding colors; thus, protecting your denim jacket — as well as other garments — from discoloration and fading. You can even go one step further by using a color-safe detergent or other products designed to preserve the color of your garments. Whether you use a protect such as this or not, though, you should always wash your denim jacket with similar colors.
Choose High-Quality Denim
Finally, be sure to choose a denim jacket that’s made of high-quality denim. We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that not all denim is of equal quality. Some denim is higher quality than others — and this is apparent from its exceptional appearance and characteristics. Granted, you can expect to pay more for a jacket made of high-quality denim, but most people will agree that it’s a smart investment that pays off in the long run. So, spend the extra money and choose a high-quality denim jacket.
