How to care for raw denim

[zacharydschroeder]

I purchased unwashed Levi's Skinners about two months ago. I have not washed them yet. I've probably worn them 15 or 16 times. They are starting to show some wear, but mostly the indigo is just turning brighter at the stress points. That means when I wash them (in a few months), those are the points where the indigo will not hold and it will be extra faded there after I wash? All those Nudies on their website were worn unwashed for a long time, but the real high levels of distress come from the first wash after constant wear, right?
I plan to wear my jeans a while before I wash them, but if I wash them cold will they come out of the wash not even looking faded? Could I just shower with them on instead so they hold a good fit?

 

[KennyGhetzoff]

you are wise to seek the information of this forum, young grasshopper. but there are so many questions and so little time. With one click of your mouse, you shall find the answers to all that you seek.

*music swells*

I GIVE YOU..... the search function. Treat it well and let it lead the way, it will show you all the beauty you possess inside and t'will give you a sense of pride.

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

wash when intolerably dirty; hang dry; wear frequently

adjust according to nerdiness

 

[robbie]

my redloops are cooler than your skinners zach

 

[zacharydschroeder]

Originally Posted by robbie

my redloops are cooler than your skinners zach

oh yeah?? We'll just have to compare when you're in town. You may be forgetting I have the Skinny Reds that may or may not look like your Red Loops. Oh, by the way, most Red Loops are dry, so don't wash them. Now you can take some strain off your Rustlers, eh?

 

[robbie]

yeah dude, i am going until September 28 w/ my rustlers
and November 1 with my new Red Loops

 

[Tarmac]

you can basically do whatever you want. But arent those pre-washed? If so, there is no real reason to wash it before it gets dirty.

 

[no_pseudonym]

Levi's recommends dry-cleaning their raw denim, or else it might end up shrinking too much.

 

[zacharydschroeder]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

you can basically do whatever you want. But arent those pre-washed?

mine are the "worn unwashed" finish.

 

[lowrey]

just wear them regularly and wash when you really need to. people go from a month to a year without washing, its just personal preference.

fading is caused by wear and washing might bring it out a bit, but from my experience with various jeans the effect a wash gives is not that dramatic. use mild detergant and wash them in cold or warm.

 

[jingco]

Here's a video of me washing my raw denim after wearing it for 18 months.

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And we posted the instructions, details, and photos here: How to wash your raw denim jeans

Hope it helps!

 

[ss10guy3]

Some guys here will recommend against it, but I dry clean once a month because I'm too lazy to hand wash. It's worked great so far.

 

[Pablo-T]

Originally Posted by travisttt

Some guys here will recommend against it, but I dry clean once a month because I'm too lazy to hand wash. It's worked great so far.
It's bad for the planet, for you, and not particularly good for your jeans.

 

[underwearer]

wear everyday and never wash them.

 

[mlyngard]

Originally Posted by KennyGhetzoff

you are wise to seek the information of this forum, young grasshopper. but there are so many questions and so little time. With one click of your mouse, you shall find the answers to all that you seek. *music swells* I GIVE YOU..... the search function. Treat it well and let it lead the way, it will show you all the beauty you possess inside and t'will give you a sense of pride.

Originally Posted by denimdestroyedmylife

wash when intolerably dirty; hang dry; wear frequently adjust according to nerdiness
lulz

Originally Posted by no_pseudonym

Levi's recommends dry-cleaning their raw denim, or else it might end up shrinking too much.
Okay, ante up. Show me where it say that.