How to Wash Jeans & Care For Your Denim

There was a point when back in the day when blue jeans were considered the ultimate hard-working pant, a favorite of everyone from factory laborers and farmers to dads mowing the lawn. Then the 1970s happened, and the younger generation of students, free thinkers and young adults took denim outside the workplace and into the realm of fashion.

Thankfully, denim leisure suits aren’t quite back in style, but a good pair of jeans or a denim jacket is timeless, and if cared for correctly, that denim will last forever.

Hibbett | City Gear’s selection of Smoke Rise, Grindhouse, Levi’s, Staple and True Religion denim jackets, shorts, and jeans is vast. Make sure your favorite products are ready for wear season after season with these tips on how to wash jeans and care for your denim.

Read the Label

First things first, check out the label before you do anything to your denim. There is nothing more annoying than popping a new pair of jeans into the washer with your other clothes … and tinting the whole load with a hue of blue, black or red. If you’re not sure how to wash your denim, the label will tell you what temperature your water should be, what you can wash your denim with and how to dry your denim apparel properly.

Totally lost on what all those icons on the label mean? We’ve got you — check out this reference guide from Clorox.

Wash Your Jeans … But Only Every Now and Then

Yes, you should wash your jeans. No, you should not wash them after every wear.

We know this might sound cringy, but hear us out. Laundering denim too much can cause them to lose their shape over time, fade and degrade the integrity of the material. Shoot for five to 10 wears before you wash. This might sound cringy, but shoot for five to 10 wears before you wash your jeans or other denim items to extend the longevity of your clothing.

The 5-10 wash rule is a great general rule of thumb, but if your denim is starting to smell not-so-pleasant or have a stain, it’s totally OK to toss them into the wash. Ultimately, how much you sweat and where you wear your denim are the biggest factors that contribute to how often you should wash your jeans, denim jackets and jean shorts.

Give Your Denim a Cold Bath

No matter after how many wears you wash your denim, most labels will recommend you use cold water to get your apparel clean. You may also find that the label reads “wash with like colors” or something similar. According to Whirlpool, jean jackets, denim shorts and denim pants should be washed solo or at least with a limited number of other denim items.

The cold water t helps prevent shrinkage and color fade, while having fewer items in the washing machine reduces friction, which can deteriorate denim. Plus, there’s no chance you’ll accidentally tint your other apparel items in the process.

Turn ’Em Inside Out

Before you toss your favorite pair of jeans, old-school denim jacket or jorts in the wash turn them inside out. Doing this — just like the cold wash — keeps colors from fading. Not only that, but this practice also ensures the dirtiest part of your denim gets cleaned and sanitized.

If you’re not ready for a full-on washing, you can also just spot treat or denim. If you have grass stains or simple spill on your favorite pair of Grindhouse Jeans or Smoke Rise jean jacket, a drop of mild detergent, a toothbrush or cotton swab and a gentle scrub will have your clothes looking like new.

Hang to Dry

Like most Gen-Zers, your first thought after removing your jeans from the washing machine is likely to thought them in the dryer. But, you shouldn’t do that. Try drying your jeans outside. Air drying helps prevent shrinkage and protects your denim from yellowing as a result of high-heat exposure in the dryer, plus you can save electricity with fewer drying cycles!

Just find a relatively shady spot in your yard, turn them inside out (no sun-fading that way), and keep them outside until your denim completely dries. No outdoor space? No problem! Hanging or denim jackets, jeans and denim shorts from a rack in your laundry area, from your shower rod or even on a hook in your closet.

And there you have it. Your denim can last decades with the right care. Hibbett | City Gear’s selection of jeans includes offerings from Levi’s, Born Fly, A.K.O.O. and many, many others. Find a full lineup in all styles, fades and shades at your nearest Hibbett | City Gear location or online, and be sure to check out “The Dos and Don’ts of Styling Men’s Denim” for outfit inspo!