LS&Co. Unzipped
Sep 03 2010
Wash My Jeans? Hardly.
If you hate doing laundry, you may want to limit the bottom half of your wardrobe to blue jeans…and follow Carl Chiara’s credo: The less you wash your jeans, the better your jeans become.
Carl – pictured below -- and his laissez faire approach to denim care were featured in yesterday’s “Tricks of the Trade” column in The Wall Street Journal. (Business news, financial updates and, now, fashion tips. Who knew?)
Carl’s the director of brand projects and special projects for Levi’s® brand, so when it comes to blue jeans, he speaks with some authority!
As he told reporter Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, “he doesn’t like to put his jeans in a washing machine because agitating the denim can make the fabric swell and ‘bloom.’”
The yarns can “tense up and actually get shorter, shrinking the jeans.”
So how does he keep them fresh? Would you believe spot-cleaning with a damp sponge and “whatever is under the kitchen sink – usually Windex or 409.”
After six months of wearing them, Carl told the Journal, he’ll fill a bathtub to about six-inches with room-temperature water and add two tablespoons of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap. He’ll let them soak for 20 minutes before hanging them by a belt loop to dry.
The article features additional tips from Carl, including putting a “woodsy” potpourri sachet into the pocket while the jeans dry.
Why didn’t I think of that?
By simply reading this article, my laundry chores tonight have been cut in half. And I've saved energy, as well, reducing my carbon footprint.
I wonder if Carl’s approach applies to denim tops, as well…
Posted By: Cory Warren, Editor, LS&Co. Unzipped |
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2013
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Edwin (not verified) - Sep 03 2013
Good article. I was wondering though, should I wash my jeans before I get them hemmed? I bought a few 513s and need to take off a couple inches because I'm a short guy. If so, cold or hot water?
Editor's note: Hey Edwin. Thanks for reading the post -- and for your question. Yes, we'd recommend always washing first, before hemming -- and always wash in cold water. Not only does it save energy, but shrinking will be far less than if you wash in hot. (But if you usually wash in hot water, and will after hemming, then, yes wash in hot water before hemming.) Thanks again! Hope those 513s™ give you many years of comfortable wear.
Chet (not verified) - Aug 26 2013
Do you have any specific fit and care tips for 517 boot cut jeans? Should they be bought using the same fit guidelines for 501s, or longer than normal length if wearing with boots? Do they "stack" over boot tops? Thank you!
Editor's note: Hi Chet, and thanks for your question. If you want the jeans to stay as close to what they are when you buy them, best to follow the instructions on the care tag. We always recommend cold water when you wash them -- and line drying. If they stack over the boot tops now, they'll be more likely to keep doing so if you follow the care tag instructions. Does that answer your question? Thanks again!
Shreeker (not verified) - Aug 08 2013
Hi I am Shreeker. I bought levis 531 - W30 L34. its stretchable, I liked it very much. I also bought Levis 511 - W30 L34 but this is little tight and uncomfortable. I want to know if this this will be ok after wash?. Or do I need to but 511 - W32 L34. Please suggest. Awaiting your response soon. Thanks Shreeker.
Editor's note: Hi Shreeker and thanks for writing. If you do wash the 511™, do so in cold water and hang to dry. That will minimize any shrinkage. If it's tight, you may want to wear it some more before washing. That could stretch it out a bit, making it more comfortable, both now and after that cold-wash, hang-to-dry. Maybe try 32-inch waist next time you're in the Levi's® store to see if it works or is too loose. Thanks!
Haydar (not verified) - Aug 07 2013
Hi. Is that mean that I can ot wash my jeans with washing machine at all.. I have 6 per of levi's jeans and want to know what is the best way to wash them please. Hope you will answer me as quickly as you can. Thanks
Editor' note: Hi Haydar. It depends on what you want to do with your jeans. I wash mine in a washing machine -- using cold water, to save energy and minimize shrinkage -- on a regular basis. Many people spot clean their jeans and either never wash them in a washing machine or do so only after they wear them many times. It's all up to you and what works best for you. I do recommend hanging your jeans to dry. A drying machine's hot temperatures can definitely shrink the cotton.
Kathleen (not verified) - Jul 25 2013
I am a fan of saving water by washing jeans less often, especially since I usually wear mine in a cooler office environment. However, my biggest beef with less frequent washings is that jeans lose that "hug your curves" look and start to go baggy in the derriere. Does it make sense to throw them in the dryer for a few mins prior to each re-wearing to regain a little shape?
Editor's note: Hi Kathleen. You want to be happy with what you're wearing, so if this process works for you, I say, do it! You're likely machine drying some part of your laundry, so throwing your jeans in for a few minutes of the drying cycle shouldn't use much -- if any -- additional energy.
Shaun Mclain (not verified) - Jun 19 2013
This is nice laundry information blog. Thanks for Sharing.
Casty (not verified) - Jun 06 2013
I just bought new 550 Tumbled Rigid jeans and was looking for care advice when I found this page. I am wondering if I need to wash them before wearing for the first time? If so, what's the best way? Planning on taking them on a trip and don't want them to bleed on me in case I'm caught in the rain. Thanks...
Editor's note: Hi Casty. As you probably know, the Rigid jeans are part of our Water<Less™ collection and have had minimal treatment in the finishing process. So you're probably smart to wash -- preferably in cold water -- and line dry, Generally, your best bet is to follow the instructions on the jean's care tag. Enjoy your 550s™!
Mario Lopez (not verified) - Mar 06 2013
Hi, I am a fan of levi's clothing and I bought yesterday a Levis Jacket Type 1(repro), Due to it wasn't washed before, the denim was very rigid and dark so I washed it today from inside out. I used hot water in order to shrink it and detergent to make it softer(but it remain a little bit rigid); nevertheless, when the washing process finished the jacket showed a few marks of faded or some kind of scratches. I'll appreciate your advice if you tell me what can I do to reverse the process or how can I vanish them. Thank you in advance.
Editor's note: Hi Mario, and thanks for your comment. If I understand what you purchased, it's intended to be rigid. In terms of the fading or scratching, I'd attribute that to the detergent or softening agent you may have used when you washed it. Over time, as you wash -- cold, please! -- air dry and wear, I'm hopeful the color will even out and the marks you mention will be seen as just part of a natural wearing process.
Affalon (not verified) - Mar 02 2013
Most of my jeans are less than a year old about 8 months with some and 3 months with others (I entered college and my mother felt it was necessary to 'shop'), up unto now I have been washing them conventionally and have done this about 10-15 times; I was wondering whether it is too late for me to follow the methods suggested by Levi or whether the damage has already been done? Also I wanted to make my jeans a little stiffer, how does one go about this? I have heard about boiling them or ironing them to achieve this.
Editor's Note: Thanks for the question, Affalon. You've probably proceeded too far down the traditional path to "make your jeans your own" by the process outlined here. But I do know from personal experience that air drying my jeans makes them stiffer. I take that approach with every wash. Thanks again!
Ace (not verified) - Jan 26 2013
Will the Dr. Bronners method shrink the original fit 501? Will it fade or change the original rigid feel / color?
Editor's note: Hi Ace. Like that name! Dr. Bronner's is considered more gentle than most detergents, so it shouldn't have an impact on shrinkage and should have less of an impact -- than a harsh detergent -- on feel and color. Thanks for your question.
Bruce Bryant (not verified) - Dec 29 2012
I always wash with cold water and line dry indoors. I swim almost everyday and do not generally do anything to get my jeans dirty. Because of swimming I usually have several bathes/showers during the day. I stay clean and my jeans stay clean allowing me to wear the same pair 5 - 7 times before washing. Best of all I can enjoy the convenience of no underwear which I prefer.
DTT (not verified) - Dec 09 2012
http://fashionablygeek.com/news/guy-wears-the-same-unwashed-jeans-for-15... Hardly the most scientific study, but about that bacterial growth on denim...
Levis 517 (not verified) - Sep 13 2012
Levis is very good brand for jeans.
Ronald Blake (not verified) - Dec 15 2011
Thank you for the advice I use the windex trick! I love my Levi's!!
Dic (not verified) - Nov 22 2011
Dint wash your jeans so often. The worse advice I ever heard. Bacteria growth on denim, skin infections, particularly in wampum humid clime. I'd expect more from Levi's rather than an endorsement of a soap which is sourced fro palm oil, responsible or massive deforestation in Asia. Levi's you are beginning to suck. Literally
Max (not verified) - Jul 25 2011
Thanks, Carl!
vedvyas (not verified) - Sep 07 2010
great post
Levi Waters (not verified) - Sep 04 2010
Do they still "fade away much bluer than the sky"?
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