So, you’ve finally found the “perfect” pair of jeans that aren’t too big or too small? Most people have at least one pair of “go to” jeans such as this. Whether you’re heading out to dinner with friends or just running errands around town, you can’t go wrong with a pair of perfect-fitting jeans. They will compliment your body shape, enhancing your appearance while creating the best look possible. And because they fit just right, they’ll also be super comfortable to wear. This alone is reason enough to invest the necessary time and energy into finding a pair of jeans that fit just right.
But just because they fit perfect now doesn’t necessarily mean they always will. Jeans — like all garments — have a tendency to stretch over time. This isn’t something that happens overnight. Rather, wearing the same pair of jeans for several months or years may cause them to stretch. And when this occurs, perhaps they’ll no longer fit like they used to. So, how do you prevent this phenomenon from occurring to your jeans? Well, there are a few steps you can take to preserve the original look, feel and integrity of your jeans.
Line-Dry
One simple tip to prevent jeans from stretching out is to line-dry them. Sure, it’s probably easier (and faster) to dry jeans by placing them in a traditional clothes dryer, but doing so increases the risk of stretching. This is because clothes dryer knock around jeans and other garments, which may result in fabric being pulled. And when the denim fabric is pulled, it can overstretch to the point where the jeans no longer fit right. Granted, some clothes dryers are more susceptible to this problem than others. But if you constantly battle jeans that are stretching out, it’s best to err on the side of caution by line-drying your jeans instead. It takes a little more time, and a little more work, but it doesn’t have the same “pulling” effect as clothes dryers.
Choose High-Quality Jeans
Just because two pair of jeans look similar in appearance doesn’t necessarily mean they are of equal quality. Some jeans are made with low-quality denim and poor craftsmanship, while others are made using the highest quality denim and craftsmanship. Conventional wisdom should tell you that the latter are less prone to stretching. You can expect to pay more for a pair of high-quality denim jeans, but most people will agree that it’s well worth the investment. They’ll last longer, feel softer, retain their original color and shape more easily, and they won’t stretch out. So if you’re in the market for a new pair of denim jeans, avoid cheap brands and stick with the real deal, such as those sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans.
Wash with Cold Water
Should you wash your jeans in cold or hot water? This is an age-old debate that continues to spark heated conversations to this day. The general belief is that warm/hot water is more effective at removing stains and cleaning fabric. However, cold water has its own benefits, as well. Washing your jeans in cold water, for instance, typically protects them from stretching (among other forms of damage). This is because hot water softens fabric while causing small but noticeable damage to it. If your jeans keep stretching out, try washing them with cold water only. It’s a safer method for cleaning jeans that won’t contribute to stretching. And if the cold water isn’t enough to clean stubborn stains, add 1/2 cup of filtered white vinegar for a cleaning boost.
Hang ‘Em Up
When your jeans are finished washing (and line-drying), hand them on a clothes hanger. The general idea is to retain your jeans’ original shape, which should help prevent stretching. Whether you hang them in laundry room, your closet or elsewhere, doing so prevents this phenomenon from occurring. And in case you were wondering, you can hang jeans by folding them in half (long ways), and placing the middle over the clothes hanger.
Choose the Right Size
When shopping for jeans, make sure they are the right size. If you buy a pair of jeans that are too small, they will probably stretch, regardless of how hard you try to prevent it. However, if you buy a pair of jeans that are custom-made to fit your body shape and size, they are less likely to stretch. Always check to make sure the jeans fit right before buying them. If you buy them online, choose a vendor like MakeYourOwnJeans that offers custom sizing.
Wash Less Frequently
Even if you choose the right size, your jeans may still stretch over time. Thankfully, there’s a way to slow down this process: wash your jeans less frequently. Some people assume that jeans — like all garments — should be washed after each use. However, there’s really no reason to wash them every day, as this further degrades the fabric while contributing to damage like stretching. A better approach is to wait until your jeans are visibly dirty to wash them. If they aren’t dirty, keep wearing them. Once you discover stains or other dirt, go ahead and place them in the washing machine. Just remember to line-dry them afterwards.
What About Stretch Jeans?
Of course, another solution is to embrace stretching rather than trying to prevent it. Traditional 100% denim fabric isn’t exactly made for stretching, which is why so many people search for ways on how to prevent it. However, there’s an alternative fabric that’s perfect for stretching: stretch denim. Consisting of both traditional denim and an elastic fabric (polyester or Spandex), they are designed specifically to flex and stretch without sustaining damage. Many people prefer stretch jeans for this very reason. You can stretch them in all different ways without fear of damaging them.
