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How to Wash Jeans & Care For Your Denim

Expert Advice

How to Wash Jeans & Care For Your Denim

Aug 28, 2024

Way back in the day, blue jeans were considered the ultimate pants for physical labor, 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 (knock on wood), but a good pair of jeans or a denim jacket is timeless. And we mean “timeless” almost literally, because if you care for them properly, high-quality jeans can easily last for years or even decades.

Hibbett offers a huge selection of Smoke Rise, Grindhouse, Levi’s, Staple and True Religion denim jackets, shorts and jeans. 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

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? Keep this guide handy for reference when you’re not sure how to properly wash something.

How Often to Wash Jeans

Yes, you should wash your jeans. (Anyone telling you otherwise may be trying to sabotage your personal hygiene.) How often to wash jeans, however, is a question you’ll hear different answers on. That said, most knowledgeable denim-heads agree that no, you should not wash jeans after every wear.

We know this might sound weird or confusing, but hear us out. Washing denim too much can cause them to lose their shape over time, fade and degrade the integrity of the material. As a general rule of thumb, shoot for 5-10 wears before you wash. 

The 5-10 rule works in most cases, but if your denim is starting to smell not-so-pleasant (or you dropped a big chunk of guacamole on your jeans), 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.

And then new generations of sneakerheads arrived with an appreciation for retro revivals and futuristic technologies.

How to Wash Jeans in the Washing Machine

How to Wash Jeans in the Washing Machine

No matter how many times you wear your jeans before washing, 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 washer and dryer manufacturer Whirlpool, jean jackets, denim shorts and denim pants should ideally be washed solo, or at least with a limited number of other denim items. Finally, choose the “Delicate” cycle option on your washing machine if it’s available, and definitely avoid the “Heavy Duty” cycle.

Why these rules? First, using cold water is a key part of how to wash jeans without shrinking them or fading the colors. Warm water can cause the cotton fibers in denim to contract and release their dyes. Meanwhile, fewer items in the machine and a gentler wash cycle both reduce the friction that can deteriorate denim. Plus, there’s no chance you’ll accidentally tint your other apparel items in the process.

Turn ’Em Inside Out

Here’s another key tip: Before you toss your favorite pair of jeans, old-school denim jacket or jorts in the wash, turn them inside out. Much like the cold-wash strategy, this helps keep colors from fading and reduces damaging friction. Not only that, but this practice also ensures the dirtiest part of your denim (i.e. the part that’s next to your skin) gets cleaned and sanitized.


If you’re not ready for a full-on washing, you can also spot treat your denim. If you have minor grass stains or a 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 are often all it takes to get your clothes looking like new.

Hang to Dry

Hang to Dry

For most people, the dryer is the next stop after getting your jeans out of the washing machine — but believe it or not, that’s actually not the best choice. Instead, 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 and gas with fewer drying cycles!

Just find a relatively shady spot in your yard, turn your jeans inside out (no sun-fading that way), and keep them outside until your denim completely dries. No outdoor space? No problem! You can hang 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 when you know how to wash jeans the right way. Hibbett’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 location or online, and be sure to check out our tips for styling men’s denim and women’s denim.

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