Like most garments, it’s not uncommon for jeans to become softer and more elastic over time. Maybe you purchased a pair of crisp denim jeans. After wearing them for a few months, however, they’ve turned to a softer texture. This isn’t necessarily bad, as some people prefer soft denim over crisp denim. If you’re hoping for the latter, though, you’ll need to follow some simple steps to keep your jeans crisp. Whether they are boot-cut, straight-leg, skinny, low-rise or high-rise, you can keep your jeans crisp in the following ways.
Choose Raw Denim Jeans
Raw denim jeans cost more than washed denim jeans. If you’re willing to make the investment, however, you’ll find that they are retain their crispness better than their washed counterparts. Raw denim, of course, refers to denim that hasn’t been washed during the production process. After creating the denim, manufacturers immediately use it to construct their jeans. This is in stark contrast to washed denim, which as the name suggests is washed before the jeans are sold. Both raw and washed denim can become soft, but it’s less likely to occur with raw denim, making it preferred.
Wash Less Frequently
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to wash your jeans each time you wear them. As long as they aren’t dirty or visibly stained, you can continue to wear them. In fact, some people rarely wash their jeans so that they’ll get more use of out of them. Whenever you wash jeans — or any garment for that matter — it degrades the fabric just a little more. The top part of the fabric will become worn, resulting in a lighter color and softer texture. But this also means that washing your jeans too many times will make them less crisp. It probably won’t happen immediately. Rather, it may take several weeks or even months until you see any noticeable different in your jeans’ crispness. Eventually, though, your jeans will no longer be crisp if you wash them too many times.
Don’t Use Fabric Softeners
This probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you shouldn’t use fabric softeners when washing or cleaning your jeans. Fabric softeners are great for softening otherwise stiff and uncomfortable clothes. They work by either breaking down the fabric or adding new chemicals to the fabric to make it softer. When used on jeans, fabric softeners will reduce their crispness. Unless you’re willing to take that chance (hint: you shouldn’t), it’s best to err on the side of caution by avoiding fabric softeners when washing and cleaning your jeans.
Rotate Your Jeans
Try to get into the habit of rotating your jeans periodically throughout the week. In other words, don’t wear the same pair of jeans for multiple consecutive days. Considering that most people own at least a half-dozen pairs of jeans, this shouldb’t be a problem. After wearing one pair, switch to a different pair the following day. This gives your jeans a chance to rest — so to speak — so that they don’t degrade and wear down as quickly. As a result, your jeans will remain crisp for a longer length of time.
Wash and Dry on Gentle Cycle
It’s also important to wash and dry your jeans on the gentle cycle. Most washing machines and clothes dryers have a cycle that’s designed to protect delicate clothes from wear and tear. Known as the gentle cycle, it uses a slower speed and few vibrations to clean and dry garments. And while it’s not as effective at removing stains as the heavier cycles, it doesn’t degrade clothes as quickly. Therefore, you should wash and dry your jeans on the gentle cycle if you want to keep them crisp.
Only Wash With Water and Detergent
When washing your jeans, only use water and laundry detergent. Some people add vinegar to their load, believing it will lock in the color and protect against fading. While it’s true that vinegar can protect clothes from fading, it also breaks down the fabric to create a softer texture. To keep your jeans stiff, you’ll want to avoid using vinegar or store-bought fabric softeners. The only thing with which you should clean your jeans is water and laundry detergent.
Hang Them on a Line to Dry
After washing your jeans, hang them on a line to dry. An outdoor clothes line works best, as it exposes your jeans to fresh air so that they’ll smell nice. If you don’t have access to an outdoor line, however, a bathroom shower rod will suffice. Just hang your jeans over the top of your bathroom shower rod and let them air dry. Depending on the ambient humidity level, as well as the moisture content of your jeans, it should take them between one to three hours to fully dry. Of course, they’ll dry faster if you hang your jeans outside, but even a shower rod will suffice.
Fold Them
Don’t underestimate the importance of folding your jeans when you aren’t wearing them. Some people have a tendency to toss their clean clothes in a stack in the corner of their room. Although this sounds harmless, leaving your jeans crumbled into a ball will degrade the fabric more quickly. If you continue doing this, you may discover that your jeans are no longer as crisp as they once were. To preserve the crispness of your jeans, fold and store them in a safe area, such as a dresser or chest of drawers.
Choose the Right Size
Finally, the way in which your jeans fit will affect their crispness. If your jeans are too small, for example, they’ll stretch out as you wear them, resulting in a softer and less crisp texture. This is why it’s a good idea to choose jeans in the right size. When shopping for new jeans, make sure they are an appropriate size for your body.
