There’s no denying the fact that distressed denim jeans have become increasingly popular in recent years. Worn by men and women alike, they are characterized by areas of intentional wearing. While most jeans feature smooth and unbroken denim, distressed jeans typically have patches in which the denim fabric is torn and tattered. It’s a subtle nuance that results in a uniquely aged style.
But if you’re planning to invest in a pair of distressed jeans, you’ll need to follow some basic steps to make them last. You can’t treat distressed jeans like any ordinary pair of jeans. Because they have areas of intentional wearing, they are more likely to sustain damage. You can make your distressed jeans last, however, by following the tips outlined in this blog post.
Turn Them Inside Out When Washing
When washing your distressed jeans, turn them inside out. Most people simply toss their jeans, as well as other clothes, in the washing machine without turning them inside out. While this is perfectly fine with most other clothes, it increases the risk of damage with distressed denim.
Distressed jeans already have areas in which the denim fabric is torn and tattered. By turning your distressed jeans inside out, they are less likely to sustain damage in the washing machine. It only takes a minute to turn your distressed jeans inside out, but doing so will allow you to get more use out of them.
Wash Less Frequently
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to wash your distressed jeans each time you wear them. Assuming they aren’t dirty, you may be able to wear them for up to a week. It’s only when your distressed jeans are dirty that you’ll need to wash them.
So, why shouldn’t you wash your distressed jeans each time you wear them? As previously mentioned, distressed jeans are more susceptible to damage than traditional, non-distressed jeans. If you wash them too many times, you may notice more rips and tears in the denim fabric. By washing your distressed jeans less frequently, on the other hand, they’ll last longer.
Hang on Line to Dry
After removing your distressed jeans from the washing machine, consider hanging them on a line to dry. There’s no denying the fact that tumble clothes dryers are convenient. If you need to dry a garment, you can toss it in a tumble clothes dryer for 20 to 30 minutes, after which it should be dry.
Unfortunately, though, clothes dryers can often damage garments, especially heavily worn garments like distressed jeans. You may not notice any immediate damage after running your distressed jeans in the clothes dryer a single time. But if you continue to dry your distressed jeans in the clothes dryer, you can expect them to degrade more rapidly. A simple solution is to line dry your distressed jeans.
You can hang your distressed jeans either on a curtain rod, such as the rod for a shower curtain, or you can hang them outdoors on a line running between two trees. Regardless, you should try to get into the habit of line drying your distressed jeans rather than using a tumble clothes dryer.
Wash With Similar Colors
Always wash your distressed jeans with similar-colored garments. You don’t have to necessarily wash your distressed jeans by themselves. It’s perfectly fine to wash them other clothes. But if you’re going to wash multiple clothes in the same load, make sure they are all the same or similar color. By washing your distressed jeans with similar-colored garments, you can rest assured knowing that they won’t absorb other colors.
Don’t Use Bleach
Some people add a capful of bleach when washing their jeans, believing it will help to eliminate stains and blemishes. The reality, however, is that bleach and denim don’t mix. In fact, bleach can actually permanently damage your distressed jeans by neutralizing the dye.
Whether your distressed jeans are light blue, indigo, black or any other color, exposure to bleach may cause permanent discoloration. Of course, you can always dye your distressed jeans, but you can avoid this headache altogether by not exposing your distressed jeans to bleach. If you’re struggling to remove a stain from your distressed jeans, try adding 1 cup of vinegar to the washing machine. Vinegar is a safe and effective solution for removing stains, and unlike bleach, it won’t cause discoloration or other forms of damage.
Use a Dryer Sheet to Eliminate Static Cling
You can eliminate static cling on your distressed jeans using a dryer sheet. It’s not uncommon for distressed jeans to develop static cling. Normally, this phenomenon occurs during winter when the humidity is low. With less moisture vapor in the air during this time of year, distressed jeans — as well as other clothes — are more likely to develop static cling. A simple way to eliminate static cling is to rub a dryer sheet on your distressed jeans. Within seconds, the dryer sheet will neutralize static cling.
Read the Care Tag
If you haven’t done so already, read the care tag on your distressed jeans for more information on how to clean and care for them. Typically found inside the waistband or pant legs, the care tag contains instructions straight from the manufacturer. No two manufacturers use the same method to produce their distressed jeans. As a result, some distressed jeans require different steps to clean and maintain. You can find out exactly how to care for your distressed jeans by reading the care tag.
Distressed jeans offer a fun and unique style that many men and women prefer. Because they are intentionally worn during production, though, they require a little more effort to clean and maintain. To make your distressed jeans last, follow the tips outlined in this blog post.
