How to Wash Jeans Properly—Follow Our Denim Care Guide With Expert Tips (2024)

Always read the laundry care tag of your jeans for the manufacturer's guidelines on washing.

How to Wash Jeans in a Washing Machine

1. Spot-Clean Stains

   Dilute laundry detergent with water and soak the mixture into the stain. You can also mix laundry detergent with white vinegar. Rub the detergent solution in with your fingers or gently scrub with a sponge or soft brush. This spot-cleaning method is best for blood, grass, milk, ink, and makeup stains on jeans.

   You can also scrub the stain with a paste of baking soda and water. Use an old toothbrush or soft scrubbing brush to clean the spot. Allow the baking soda to sit for a few minutes if the stain is stubborn. Baking soda works best for grass, red wine, and grease stains.

2. Turn Jeans Inside Out

   Before throwing your jeans in the machine, be sure to turn them inside out. This helps protect the denim's fibers. Close up any zippers before placing jeans in a washing machine to protect the fabric.

3. Wash on a Delicate Cycle

   Set your washing machine on its delicate cycle and wash jeans with cold water. Ideally, you should wash jeans separately or with similarly dark-colored clothes. This step is key to avoid shrinking or bleeding.

   Avoid using laundry detergents with harsh chemicals and skip fabric softener, which can add unnecessary chemicals to your jeans and break down the fabric over time. "I love using The Laundress or Mrs. Meyer's liquid detergent, as I've found both of these put less wear and tear on my clothes," says Black.

4. Let Air Dry

   According to Black, it's best to let jeans air dry in a well-ventilated space. This method helps the denim last longer, keep its shape, and avoid shrinkage. Let them thoroughly air-dry before wearing.
   

   If you want to shrink jeans a little, wait until they are barely damp before tossing them in the dryer briefly to finish the drying process.

How to Wash Jeans by Hand

If you prefer to wash a special pair of jeans by hand, follow these steps.

1. Fill the Tub

   Fill a clean bathtub, large sink, or container with water. You'll need enough to submerge the jeans. Add laundry detergent (about 1/2 a capful) and mix to combine.

2. Submerge Jeans

   Place your jeans in the soapy water and swish them around. Use your hands to move the jeans in the soap for one or two minutes.

3. Soak Jeans

   Allow jeans to sit in the soapy water for 15 to 30 minutes. This step helps the detergent soak into the denim and clean the jeans.

4. Drain and Refill

   Remove the jeans, then drain the dirty water from the tub. Fill it up again with plain, clean water.

5. Rinse Jeans

   Add the jeans back to clean water, and let them soak for another 5 or 10 minutes. Then, move the jeans around in the water to remove all dirt and detergent.

6. Squeeze and Dry

   Remove jeans from the water and squeeze them to get rid of excess water. Roll or fold the jeans to squeeze the water out—don't twist or wring them. Let jeans air dry completely before wearing or storing them.

How to Get Rid of and Prevent Smells in Jeans

To get rid of and prevent odors on jeans or denim between washings, try the following:

• Air out jeans. Hang up your jeans near an open window or outdoors. The natural scent will help refresh the denim.
• Spray with a DIY fabric refresher. Mix white vinegar with water and a couple of essential oil drops. Then, spray the material for a fresher scent.
• Add a dryer sheet. If storing jeans in a drawer, insert a dryer sheet into a corner. The sheet's scent will infuse the jeans, providing a pleasant freshly washed scent. Alternatively, spray a few cotton balls with essential oil or perfume for the same outcome.
• Use baking soda. Since baking soda absorbs odors, you can add a small container full of baking soda in a corner of your closet or dresser. The baking soda will trap foul smells and help your jeans smell fresher.

How to Keep Your Jeans Clean Longer

To keep jeans clean longer, try spot-cleaning jeans between washes. Use a cloth dipped in soapy water to remove stains and let them air dry before wearing them again. Also, rotate your jeans. Owning a few pairs of jeans allows you to alternate wears and extend the time between washes.

If you have a pair of jeans that are sagging after one or two wears but are not yet ready to be washed, Black recommends spraying them with a mixture of water and ten drops of lavender essential oil. After a thorough spray, throw them in the dryer for ten minutes to help them shrink up again.