Are your favorite pair of denim shirts fraying at the bottom? Unfortunately, this is a common problem encountered by countless men and women. As with other garments, it’s not uncommon for the bottom of denim shorts to unravel over time. It doesn’t happen immediately. But it you wear your denim shorts long enough, they may eventually begin to unravel — also known as fraying — at the bottom of each pant leg. The good news is that you can often prevent denim shorts from fraying by taking a few simple precautions.
Choose Denim Shorts With a Clean Hem
If you’re shopping for a new pair of denim shorts, make sure they have a clean hem. In other words, don’t choose denim shorts with a cutoff bottom. If they are cutoff, the denim fabric will fray more easily.
You can tell whether a pair of denim shorts have a cutoff bottom by inspecting the denim fabric around the bottom of the pant legs. If you see frayed pieces of denim dangling from the bottom, they are cutoff. If the bottom of the pant legs feature a clean hem, on the other hand, they are not cutoff. Choosing the latter style will naturally protect your denim shorts from fraying. Of course, this is just one of several ways to minimize the risk of fraying and extend the lifespan of your denim shorts.
Consider Stretch Denim Shorts
In addition to a clean hem, another way to prevent your denim shorts from fraying is to choose a pair made of stretch denim. The Stretch Denim Shorts sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans, for example, are made of a combination of regular denim as well as an elastic fabric. With elastic fabric used in their construction, they are able to stretch and bend without sustaining damage. As a result, stretch denim shorts are less likely to fray than traditional all-denim shorts. You can still wear traditional denim shorts, but you’ll have an easier time protecting them from fraying if you choose a pair made of stretch denim.
Use the Gentle Cycle When Washing
Whether you choose traditional all-denim shorts or stretch denim shorts, you should get into the habit of washing them on the gentle cycle of your washing machine. Most modern-day washing machines have a variety of cycle settings. Unfortunately, many of these cycle settings are too aggressive for denim garments, including denim shorts. They might clean your denim shorts, but at the same time, they could degrade the fabric around the bottom of the pant legs to the point where it causes fraying. By washing your denim shorts on the gentle cycle, though, you shouldn’t encounter fraying.
Line Dry
After you’ve finished washing your denim shorts, don’t place them in the clothes dryer. Instead, hang them on a line to dry. You can line try your denim shorts either indoors or outdoors. Some people prefer to line dry their denim shorts on a shower curtain in their bathroom, whereas others prefer to line dry their denim shorts outdoors on a line running between two or more trees. Regardless, if you’re worried about your denim shorts fraying at the bottom, you should line dry them. Placing them in the clothes dryer will only expose them to additional stress that may cause or worsen fraying.
Trim Frayed Fabric
In some cases, you may not be able to fully prevent your denim shorts from fraying at the bottom — but that’s okay. As long as you trim the frayed fabric in a timely manner, you can prevent it from spreading and causing permanent damage to your denim shorts. How do you trim frayed fabric exactly?
If you discover the bottom of your denim shorts have already started fraying, use a pair of sharp fabric scissors — scissors designed specifically for cutting garments — to trim away the excess, loose denim fabric.
Don’t Distress Your Denim Shorts
Distressed denim has become a popular fashion statement in recent years. As you may know, it’s characterized by intentional patches wearing, including fraying. While distressed denim shorts are certainly fashionable, though, you are more likely to encounter fraying problems with them rather than non-distressed denim shorts. Therefore, you shouldn’t choose distressed denim shorts, nor should you attempt to distress any of your existing denim shorts.
Wash Less Often
How often do you normally wash your denim shorts? It’s a common assumption that you must wash your denim shorts each time that you wear them. In reality, though, this isn’t necessary. In fact, washing your denim shorts too often may cause them to fray. Each time you wash your denim shorts, even when using the gentle cycle, they’ll be exposed to stress. So, unless your denim shorts are visibly dirty, don’t wash them. Wait until they are visibly dirty before tossing them in the washing machine.
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when washing, drying and maintaining your denim shorts. Not all denim shorts are made using the same techniques. As a result, different denim shorts require different steps to wash and maintain.
To find out how you should wash and maintain your denim shorts, look for the care label. It’s usually sewn into the waistband. By inspecting the care label, you’ll learn which cleaning and maintenance methods the manufacturer recommends. And by following these recommendations, your denim shorts are less likely to fray.
Roll Up the Bottom
Finally, you can prevent your denim shorts from fraying by rolling up the fabric at the bottom of the pant legs. Before heading out the door, take about 1 or 2 inches of fabric at the bottom of each pant leg and fold it upwards. You have to fold it two or three times to get it to stay. Once folded, though, your denim shorts shouldn’t fray at the bottom. Along with the other methods listed here, rolling up the bottom of your denim shorts will protect them from fraying.
