How to Wash Jeans Properly Without Shrinking for Long-Lasting Wear
Besides being wardrobe staples, jeans are also personal favourites, go-to outfits, and often an investment in comfort and style. Maintaining your favourite pair of jeans for daily wear or that ideal pair that fits perfectly will save you money and preserve the items you cherish.
However, poor maintenance, such as excessive heat, rough washing, or avoiding basic preparation procedures, can result in shrinkage, colour fading, and misshaping. This guide can help with that.
With our professional advice for each type of denim, we’ll show you how to wash jeans correctly in this blog, so your favourite pair lasts through many washes.
Why Do Jeans Shrink?
The main cause of jeans’ shrinkage is the cotton fibres in denim reacting to heat and agitation during washing and drying. The fabric contracts when the fibres are exposed to hot water or high dryer heat.
Compared to pre-washed or stretch jeans, which are treated to resist shrinkage, raw denim is more likely to shrink when washed. Unwanted fit changes often result from common laundry mistakes, like using hot water cycles or overdrying.
Jeans must be washed properly to maintain their shape and size, which can be achieved by selecting the correct wash cycle to prevent damage.
Understanding Denim Care Tags and Symbols
Are you unsure about what those small symbols on your jeans’ label mean? The preservation of denim quality depends on these care tags. Check for common instructions such as:
- Machine wash cold – stops colour loss and shrinking.
- Do not tumble dry – helps prevent fabric damage and shrinking.
- Do not bleach – preserves finishes and dyes.
The laundry symbols usually present in the care label mean:
- A bucket with a number indicates machine wash at that temperature
- A bucket with a hand in it represents hand washing.
- A triangle means bleachable, and a cross over it means not.
- A circle in a square means tumble drying is with dots representing heat level.
- An iron symbol with dots indicates ironing at heat level with three being highest.
- A circle with letters indicates dry cleaning, and a cross means not.
Denim Care Symbols Cheat Sheet
| Symbol (Text-Based) | Meaning | Why It Matters for Denim |
| 🛁 ● | Machine Wash Cold (one dot) | Prevents shrinking and fading of indigo dye. |
| 🔺 ✖ | Do Not Bleach | Bleach damages denim fibres and fades color unevenly. |
| ◼️ ⭕ ✖ | Do Not Tumble Dry | Heat can cause shrinkage and weaken stretch denim. |
| ♨️ ● | Iron at Low Heat (one dot) | Prevents shiny spots or damage to fabric surface. |
| ⭕ ✖ | Do Not Dry Clean | Chemicals can strip dye or affect the fit. |
| 🖐🛁 | Hand Wash (for raw/selvedge denim) | Maintains raw denim quality and prevents premature fading. |
Symbol Key (In Words)
- 🛁 = Wash tub
- ● = One dot = Cold or low temperature
- 🔺 = Triangle = Bleach
- ◼️ ⭕ = Square with circle = Tumble dry
- ♨️ = Iron
- ⭕ = Circle = Dry clean
- ✖ = Crossed out = “Do not”
- 🖐🛁 = Hand in tub = Hand wash
Knowing these symbols will help your jeans last longer. Additionally, depending on the cycle, timing can change if you’re wondering how long a laundry machine takes. Visit our laundry symbols guide to learn more about laundry symbols and their meanings.
Preparing Your Jeans for Washing
When learning how to clean jeans without causing damage, preparation is essential. Before throwing them in the laundry, take these easy steps:
- To prevent snags and preserve shape, turn jeans inside out.
- To avoid washing paper, coins, or lint-producing items, zip up zippers and buttons, and empty all pockets.
- To gently clean without removing dye, use a mild or colour-safe detergent.
These small actions will help you maintain the fit and appearance of your jeans for many washes.
Machine Washing Jeans the Right Way
Use these best practices for how to wash jeans in washing machine to preserve your denim and keep it looking great:
- To reduce shrinking and fading, use a delicate or gentle cycle with cold water.
- To prevent dye transfer, wash jeans by themselves or with similar colours.
- Skip the fabric softener, as it can weaken fibres over time and decrease durability.
- Instead, use a front-loading machine, as it is kinder to fabric than a top-loader with an agitator.
You can prolong the life of your jeans while maintaining their cleanliness and freshness by employing the proper settings and methods.
How to Hand Wash Jeans Safely
Hand washing is your best option if you’re wondering how to wash denim without damaging it, especially raw or designer jeans. Here is a simple, step-by-step tutorial:
1. Pour cold water into a sanitised tub or basin.
2. Incorporate a tiny quantity of gentle detergent intended for dark or delicate colours.
3. To remove dirt without using harsh scrubbing, soak the jeans for approximately half an hour.
4. Slightly stroke by hand, focusing on areas that are sweaty or discoloured.
5. Rinse well with cold water until soap is completely removed.
This delicate technique is ideal for learning how to wash denim correctly, as it protects the dye and maintains the garment’s shape.
Drying Your Jeans Without Damaging or Shrinking Them
Drying is just as important as washing if you want to keep your denim looking its best. Avoid using the tumble dryer, as it can weaken fabric fibres and cause shrinkage.
To keep your jeans in shape, you can either hang them by the waistband or air-dry them flat. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can cause fading, particularly on dark washes.
Pro Tip: Wonder what is eco warm on a washer? This energy-efficient cycle helps protect both the environment and your jeans by using slightly warm water to clean and protect fabric.
How to Remove Odours Without Washing
Sometimes, a quick refresh is enough for your jeans instead of a full wash. Try these odour-removing tips if you’re wondering how do you wash jeans without putting them in the washing machine:
- To eliminate bacteria that cause odours, air them out in a well-ventilated area or in indirect sunlight.
- Freeze overnight in a sealed bag.
- Use fabric sprays that are intended to deodorise in between washes.
- Use a damp cloth and a mild detergent to clean any stains or spots gently.
These techniques reduce wear from repeated washings while preserving the freshness of your jeans.
What to Do If Your Jeans Shrink
Have you unintentionally shrunk your favourite pair? You can achieve some comfort, even if the original fit can’t be fully restored.
- To relax the fibres, soak the jeans in lukewarm water and dip them in a small amount of baby shampoo or hair conditioner.
- Stretch them gently by hand, paying particular attention to areas that are tight, such as the thighs, hips, or waistband.
- Lay flat to dry, stretching periodically while they air dry.
Although it won’t stop the shrinkage, this technique can increase the jeans’ wearability. Additionally, if you’re wondering how can you shrink jeans on purpose, a hot wash and high heat dry can help, but there are risks involved.
Washing Different Types of Jeans
Care routines vary depending on the type of denim. So, how can jeans be washed without compromising their fit or colour? Knowing your fabric is the first step.
- White jeans require extra care, avoid dark loads and use optical brighteners for lasting brightness.
- Washed black jeans should be turned inside out and washed in cold water with a detergent made for dark colours to prevent fading.
- To preserve elasticity, stretch jeans should be washed on a gentle cycle.
- Raw denim develops natural wear patterns through air drying and occasional washing.
Knowing how to wash jeans according to their type will help them last longer and look fantastic.
How to Wash Raw Denim
To maintain its distinctive texture and fade patterns, raw denim requires special care. Here’s how to wash denim properly:
- To preserve its original shape and natural fades, wash it sparingly only when necessary.
- Hand wash in cold water or use a mild detergent on a delicate cycle.
- Lay flat or hang to air dry instead of using a machine.
Unless it is extremely soiled, raw denim usually does better with gentle at-home techniques when choosing between dry cleaning vs washing at home.
How to Wash Black Jeans
Use these easy tips to keep your washed black jeans looking bold and fade-free:
- To help lock in colour and stop fading, add vinegar to the rinse cycle.
- To reduce friction and preserve the surface dye, always wash from the inside out.
- To preserve richness and prevent a drab finish, use detergent for dark colours.
Even after several washings, your black denim will remain sharp if you take proper care of it.
How to Wash White Jeans
Do you want to maintain the cleanliness and crispness of your white denim? Here’s how to wash jeans in washing machine without causing the colour to fade:
- Unless the care label clearly indicates that bleach can be used, avoid using it.
- To improve whiteness without using harsh chemicals, use natural alternatives to laundry detergent.
- To prevent discolouration and dye transfer, avoid washing with dark materials.
To preserve the fabric and maintain the best possible appearance for your white jeans, always use cold water and a gentle cycle to wash jeans.
Bonus Tips to Make Your Jeans Last Longer
Do you want to preserve the freshness of your denim for years? Here’s how to clean jeans properly without destroying their colour or shape:
- To preserve the integrity of the fabric and avoid fading, wash it less frequently.
- To minimise wear and allow each pair of jeans to rest, rotate them.
- To prevent stretching and distortion, store folded rather than on hangers.
- To avoid friction and to preserve structure, use clothing or mesh bags in the machine.
You can prolong the life of your jeans and learn how to properly clean them by using these tips.
Professional Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
You can rely on Love2Laundry to handle your favourite denim with skill. Gentle washing methods, focused stain removal, and secure drying techniques that preserve the fabric and fit of your jeans are all part of our expert laundry and dry cleaning services. We take care of every item to prolong its life and maintain its sharp appearance, whether it’s high-end denim or daily wear.
Enjoy dependable, time-sensitive door-to-door service with quality and convenience you can rely on. Book Now via the Love2Laundry app or website.
FAQs – How to Wash Jeans
What’s the correct way to wash jeans?
Start by turning your jeans inside out and zipping the zipper. Then, wash your jeans either in the washing machine or by hand with cold water. Make sure to wash them alone to prevent fading or colour patching other clothing.
How do you wash jeans at home?
To wash jeans at home, turn them inside out, wash in cold water on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent, and air dry. Avoid fabric softener and bleach, and hand-wash delicate jeans instead.
How to stop jeans from smelling?
Sprinkle baking soda directly on the jeans or add 1/2 cup to a cold wash cycle. It naturally neutralises odours without damaging the fabric.
Wrap Up!
Maintaining the fit, colour, and comfort of jeans can be significantly improved by learning how to wash jeans properly. To prevent fading or shrinking, always wash them in cold water and turn them inside out to dry, without using a dryer. To preserve the denim’s original texture and shape, use mild detergents and let them air dry.
Avoid excessive washing and spot-clean whenever possible for long-lasting wear. Following these easy care instructions will ensure that your jeans look as good as the day you purchased them, regardless of whether they are distressed or have a dark rinse. Maintaining the classic appeal of your favourite pair of jeans requires knowing how to clean jeans properly.
