Let’s face it, stiff jeans are downright uncomfortable to wear! It can make doing otherwise simple tasks like walking difficult and uncomfortable, as it restricts your body’s normal range of motion. But denim is supposed to be stiff, right? Wrong. While denim has a certain level of strength and durability that’s not found in other materials, it should also be soft and comfortable to wear. So, what causes stiff jeans and how can you prevent/fix it?
Poor Quality Denim
All denim is not made equally. Some denim is made with higher quality cotton-twill and better craftsmanship than others, which usually means a more comfortable fit. This is why it’s a good idea to spend the extra money by investing in a pair of premium denim jeans instead of just another cheap pair that will degrade after a couple of wears. You may have to pay a little more for premium jeans, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the long run.
Hot Drying
Did you use the high-heat seating on your clothes dryer when drying your jeans? If so, this could be the reason why they are stiff. Denim — like most fabrics — is sensitive to heat. When exposed to high heat, the fibers will shrink, remaining in a semi-constricted state that creates the perception of stiff jeans. I recommend drying your jeans on either the tumble dry or low-heat setting to prevent this from occurring.
Wrong Detergent
Use caution when choosing a detergent, especially if you are going to use it to wash jeans. Some of the cheaper brands of detergent contain harsh chemicals that will damage and/or weaken the denim fibers, causing the jeans to feel stiff when worn. Stick with a premium, name-brand variety of detergent to ensure it doesn’t have this same effect on your jeans.
What About Fabric Softener?
You can often combat problems like stiffness by adding a small amount of fabric softener to your washing machine. As the name suggests, it’s designed to soften fabric so it’s not so rough. This is usually done by pouring the fabric softener directly into the washing machine, allowing it to mix with the water and detergent. Read the instruction label beforehand to ensure you use the appropriate amount.
Of course, you can rest assured knowing that all of the jeans sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans.com are soft and comfortable to wear.
