Denim washing

[Mike C.]

How do I get my dry denim to look like this?

 

[Brian SD]

I'd say those Nudies look about 2 years old, probably worn every day and probably starched at least a couple times. Also, I imagine the contrast of the photo has been increased to exaggerate it. It's *really* difficult to get those sharp and numerous whiskers without using sandpaper or steel wool. I dont think it has much to do with the washing in that case - it's probably just incredibly tough wear (it also helps that the jeans are pretty tight).

 

[Mike C.]

Yea, even though it said the guy washed them twice in 60 degree water after 6 months, I found it hard to believe it took only that.

Brian... please elaborate on the starching. What does that do?

So far on my APCs, I've only lightly sanded over the creases with the finest grit sandpaper. The wear looks good as of now.

 

[Geowu]

the upper part looks extremely dirty, could the brown color have been achieved by dust/dirt being rubbed into it? I don't think the contrast has been increased in the picture. But I do think it was treated by hand to make it look older, like those whiskers being plated with steel or something else, what do you think - Brian? What is starch?

 

[LA Guy]

Starching (i.e. using sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, to coat them) makes the jeans, which become soft over repeated wearings, stiff again, which makes the whiskering process more pronounced, the same as when you first got the jeans. The "yellowing" effect on the thighs will occur if you are not the type that is afraid to sit on public benches, and are the type that will wipe their hands on their jeans after washing, one of the original bonuses of wearing jeans, beforethey became sacred objects.

 

[Geowu]

can I starch my raw and unwashed jeans, will it affect the fading in a bad way as if I were washing them? If I rub some dirt on jeans will it stay "yellowish" forever?

 

[LA Guy]

There is no sense in starching your raw, unwashed jeans until they go soft. If you rub stuff into your jeans, and go a long time before washing them, the residual stain will be much more pronounced.

(Loving the inuendos.)

 

[ringring]

Starching (i.e. using sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, to coat them) makes the jeans, which become soft over repeated wearings, stiff again, which makes the whiskering process more pronounced, the same as when you first got the jeans.  The "yellowing" effect on the thighs will occur if you are not the type that is afraid to sit on public benches, and are the type that will wipe their hands on their jeans after washing, one of the original bonuses of wearing jeans, beforethey became sacred objects.

Aren't Sodium Bicarbonate and Starch two different things?

Sodium Bicarbonate is made from Sodium Carbonate and the starch used for ironing clothes is produced from ground corn or rice.

Sodium bicarbonate will have a cleaning effect on dirty jeans. Starch will just make them stiffer.

 

[LA Guy]

Whoops. You are quite right. This is embarassing (I'm a chemist by training). Use starch, not sodium bicarbonate. Or you'll wash your jeans by mistake, and want to kill me.

 

[ringring]

The baking soda will make them smell nice and fresh though

And get them lighter too if you wash with the soda.

 

[faustian bargain]

Whoops.  You are quite right.  This is embarassing (I'm a chemist by training).  Use starch, not sodium bicarbonate.  Or you'll wash your jeans by mistake, and want to kill me.

remind me never to buy anything from you at a bake sale.

 

[Brian SD]

Hahaha.

Yep, LA Guy got the description and cause right for the starching. You can ask for them to be starched at a dry-cleaners or you can do it yourself by spraying them.

As for the photo, Geowu, I have taken quite a few pictures of jeans being sold on eBay, and the color contrast and hue on those jeans are nearly identical to ones that I have increased the contrast on. Also, if you notice on the bottom of the jeans where that neat effect happens from where the jeans get rubbed when walking is, the underneath-part of the whiskers is WAY too dark, hinting that the contrast of the photo has been increased.

 

[Oltmann]

Sodium bicarbonate will have a cleaning effect on dirty jeans. Starch will just make them stiffer.

Sodium bicarbonate (soda) blasting is sometimes used to distress jeans. Which is probably the cause of the confusion.

 

[amirrorcrackd]

I've actually found that sleeping in the jeans tends to speed up the process quite a bit. Also, play tackle football in them; it'll be fun and you'll wear your jeans.

Dan

 

[Oltmann]

Also, play tackle football in them; it'll be fun and you'll wear your jeans.

Just make sure they don't cut them off of you when you go to the emergency room.