How to Care for Your Denim Collection: Washing and Storage

Caring for your denim collection requires attention to both washing and storage techniques to ensure your favorite pieces last for years.

To preserve the color, texture, and fit of your denim, wash sparingly in cold water using a gentle detergent, and avoid high heat by air-drying whenever possible.

Proper storage, like hanging heavier items and folding lighter ones, also helps maintain their shape and prevents damage.

With the right care, you can keep your denim looking fresh and durable across multiple wears.

Understanding denim fabrics

Denim is a sturdy cotton twill fabric known for its durability and versatility, used in a wide range of clothing from jeans to jackets, skirts, and shirts. Its distinctive diagonal ribbing comes from a 3/1 weave pattern, making it both rugged and flexible. To fully appreciate and care for your denim pieces, it’s essential to understand the different types of denim fabrics, weights, and weaves, as well as how to identify high-quality craftsmanship that will last for years.

Unveiling the characteristics of different denim weaves

• Lightweight denim (7-9 ounces): This type of denim is designed for warmer climates and offers superior breathability. Its lightweight nature makes it ideal for casual wear, including summer jeans and shirts. Despite its thinner feel, lightweight denim maintains its shape due to the small amount of stretch incorporated into its weave.
• Midweight denim (10-13 ounces): The most common type of denim, midweight balances durability and comfort. Midweight denim is perfect for everyday jeans that need to be tough enough for wear but soft enough for comfort. The iconic horizontal fading lines often seen on classic denim styles are created through the weaving process of this weight.
• Heavyweight denim (14 ounces and above): This thick, dense denim is initially stiff and requires a break-in period, but it eventually molds perfectly to the body, creating a custom fit for the wearer. The extra weight makes it highly resistant to snags, tears, and holes, which is why heavyweight denim is commonly used in workwear and durable outerwear.
• Stretch denim: Stretch denim blends 2-5% spandex or elastane with cotton, adding flexibility to the fabric. This type of denim is designed to move with the wearer and is popular in form-fitting styles like skinny and slim jeans. While stretch denim provides comfort, it retains its structure over time without sagging or losing its silhouette.
• Selvedge denim: Selvedge (or selvage) denim is woven on old-style shuttle looms that produce a tightly woven, self-finished edge. This prevents fraying and unraveling, making selvedge denim prized for its durability. The edges are often finished with contrasting stitching, visible when the cuffs of the jeans are turned up. Selvedge denim is considered premium and is often associated with heritage brands that prioritize quality.

Identifying high-quality denim: a buyer’s guide

Not all denim is created equal. To ensure you’re investing in high-quality denim, it’s important to know what to look for when shopping, especially among premium brands. Here are some key indicators of quality craftsmanship in denim:

• Even dyeing: High-quality denim has an even color throughout, with no patches or areas that appear prematurely faded.
• Sturdy stitching: Look for reinforced stitching, especially along the seams, hems, and belt loops. Strong thread should be used to prevent unraveling and wear over time.
• Durable hardware: Quality denim is often fitted with sturdy buttons, rivets, and zippers made from brass or other durable materials. These details should be secure and strong to withstand repeated wear and washing.
• Finely woven fabrics: The texture of the denim should feel smooth and tight, without noticeable slubs or imperfections. Slubbiness indicates an uneven weave, which may weaken the fabric over time.
• Detailed care tags: High-quality brands usually provide detailed information about the fabric content, washing instructions, and proper care to extend the life of the denim.

Now that you know how to identify quality denim, let’s dive into how to care for it properly to ensure its longevity.

How to wash your denim

Washing your denim too frequently can lead to premature fading and fabric deterioration. The key to maintaining the color, texture, and overall integrity of your denim is to wash it sparingly and with care. When the time comes to clean your denim, use these gentle washing techniques.

Gentle wash techniques: preserving color and fabric

• Turn denim inside out: Before washing your jeans, turn them inside out to protect the outer surface from abrasion and wear. This simple step helps preserve the richness of the dye and prevents excessive fading.
• Wash in cold water: Denim should always be washed in cold water, as heat causes fibers to relax and dyes to bleed. Use the delicate or permanent press setting on your washing machine. For extra care, consider hand-washing your denim in cool water using a mild detergent.
• Avoid overloading the machine: Overcrowding the washing machine increases friction between garments, which can cause damage to the fabric. Ensure the drum is evenly packed to allow the denim to wash gently.
• Air dry: Instead of using a dryer, which can shrink and distort your denim, hang jeans to air dry. Hang them in a well-ventilated area, and allow the fabric to retain its natural fit. Air drying also helps prevent the transfer of indigo dye onto other surfaces.

Cold vs. warm water: impact on denim fading

• Cold water (below 30°C): Washing denim in cold water is the best way to prevent premature fading. Cold water helps lock the dye into the fibers, allowing the denim to maintain its rich, dark color for longer.
• Warm water (around 40°C): Warm water, on the other hand, relaxes the fibers in the fabric and encourages the dye to loosen. While this can help achieve a worn-in, faded look faster, it can also weaken the fibers and shorten the lifespan of dark denim.

Choosing the right detergent for denim care

The right detergent is crucial for preserving the color and integrity of your denim:

• Mild liquid detergent: Opt for a detergent free from bleach or enzymes, which can strip color and weaken the fabric over time. Woolite, castile soap, or mild detergents designed for delicates work well.
• Minimal detergent: Denim doesn’t require a large amount of detergent, as most of the soil in jeans is dry particulate matter. A small amount is sufficient to lift dirt without overly saturating the fabric.
• Avoid fabric softeners: Fabric softeners coat fibers and reduce the breathability of denim, making the fabric feel waxy. Skip this step to maintain the texture and longevity of your jeans.

The myth of freezing your jeans: debunking common practices

Some believe that freezing jeans can eliminate bacteria and odors, reducing the need for washing. However, this practice is not an effective alternative to washing.

• Bacteria remains: While freezing may temporarily halt bacteria growth, it does not remove dirt or kill all bacteria. Odors will return once the jeans are brought back to room temperature.
• No cleaning benefits: Freezing denim may make it stiffer due to the ice expansion, but it does not clean the fabric. Proper washing is still necessary to remove dirt, oils, and grime.

While freezing jeans might offer a quick fix for wrinkles or odors before a special occasion, it’s not a substitute for regular washing. Stick to cold water washes for clean denim that lasts.

For a more eco-friendly laundry routine, consider incorporating DIY natural fabric softeners to soften your denim without harsh chemicals, which can extend the life of the fabric.

How to dry your denim

Drying denim is just as important as washing it. Improper drying can lead to shrinking, misshapen garments, and color loss. Follow these drying practices to preserve your denim’s fit and form.

Air drying vs. machine drying: pros and cons

• Air drying: Air drying allows denim to retain its natural shape without shrinking or weakening the fibers. It’s particularly beneficial for heavier denims that require a longer time to dry. The downside is the time it takes, which can be 24-48 hours depending on the thickness of the fabric.
• Machine drying: Machine drying is fast and convenient, especially for lighter denim items like shirts. However, the heat can cause shrinkage and stress the fabric, leading to a shorter lifespan for your denim. If you must machine dry, use a low heat setting and remove the denim while it’s still slightly damp to air dry the rest of the way.

Preventing denim shrinkage: tips for proper drying

• Hang dry heavy raw denim jeans: For unsanitized denim that hasn’t been pre-shrunk, hanging jeans for 48 hours allows them to dry naturally without distorting their shape.
• Machine dry pre-shrunk denim on low: Pre-shrunk denim items like jackets and shirts can be safely machine dried on low heat for about 25 minutes before being finished by air drying.
• Lay flat to reshape: If your denim has become misshapen after washing, gently lay the pieces flat on a towel and coax seams, waistbands, and hems back into alignment.

Hanging vs. folding: best practices for drying denim

• Hanging: Heavier denim, like raw denim jeans or jackets, benefits from hanging. Use wide pant hangers to evenly distribute weight and avoid straining seams or belt loops.
• Folding: Lightweight, pre-shrunk denim items can be folded along seam lines and laid flat. Ensure you periodically refold to avoid creating permanent creases.