Washing a pair of jeans

[lcordaro]

Just curious

How long do you wear a pair of jeans before you wash them. I normally wear them for a few weeks and then throw them in the washer. What's your normal routine.

 

[nairb49]

You're going to get some interesting replies, I wager.

Are you asking in the context of how to get the best wear?
Or in general?

Since most of my jeans are raw, I wash jeans only when they must have a wash. Ie. smell/spill.

Usually works out to about once every 3 months or so.

 

[Nil]

I keep on thinking I should wash my jeans, but I never do. So the short answer is: never.

I have 3 pairs I wear constantly. I've owned one for about a year, another for about 6 months and the last pair for about 3 months. I'd wash them if they ever smelled, but they don't so I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[lcordaro]

Yes, in general I was asking how often, just to clean them. WOW! I guess I am washing them to often. I guess I need to stop that. They normally don't smell when I throw them in the washer. I have to re-think this.

Thanks

 

[seoulfully]

Originally Posted by lcordaro

Yes, in general I was asking how often, just to clean them. WOW! I guess I am washing them to often. I guess I need to stop that. They normally don't smell when I throw them in the washer. I have to re-think this.

Thanks

depends on what you want. if you have raw denim (this applies a little less to washed), then a lot of ppl go 6 months or more before the first wash. then as long as they can between washes. maybe every 3-4 months. of course this is if you want a certain look (faded, whiskers, honeycombs, etc). lately i think more and more that ppl are all doing the same thing and while everyone gets their own fades and whiskers, i think it's all kind of the same look and ppl are too religious about it. so do what you want with your clothes. i'd still suggest not washing denim all that often just so you don't weaken the fabric too much (well more about the dryer than the washer, but still).

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by seoulfully

depends on what you want. if you have raw denim (this applies a little less to washed), then a lot of ppl go 6 months or more before the first wash. then as long as they can between washes. maybe every 3-4 months. of course this is if you want a certain look (faded, whiskers, honeycombs, etc). lately i think more and more that ppl are all doing the same thing and while everyone gets their own fades and whiskers, i think it's all kind of the same look and ppl are too religious about it. so do what you want with your clothes. i'd still suggest not washing denim all that often just so you don't weaken the fabric too much (well more about the dryer than the washer, but still).

Actually both Brian and I would recommend washing at least once a month (then hang or flat dry) if you want the maximum durability. Wearing jeans for prolonged periods of time without washing actually decrease their lifetime, for 2 reasons.

1) Bacteria love to eat organic matter (which your jeans are) and
2) Washing allows the denim to shrink back close to its original size, allowing the yarn to regain elasticity and restrengthening the weave. Wearing a pair of jeans for prolonged period without washing stretches the jeans out (as we all know) and weakens the weave.

I like some whiskering in my jeans, but I think that excessive whiskering without corresponding fading (which comes from washing) looks pretty contrived...

 

[denimdestroyedmylife]

3) Acid from sweat weakens cotton.
4) Dirt on clothing abrades fabric.

 

[seoulfully]

once a month eh? i suppose doing so (post first wash stuff) would be fine as long as they avoided the dryer. i'll have to take all that under advisement. i've always just washed when dirty or smelly (sometimes more than once a month, sometimes less). of course until very recently i've not owned better denim.

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by denimdestroyedmylife

3) Acid from sweat weakens cotton.
4) Dirt on clothing abrades fabric.

And those. Forgot about those...

 

[Brian SD]

Well what LA Guy is true if you want maximum durability. I think many people (myself included) rank getting good wear over getting maximum durability. Regular Ralfs, APCs, 5EPs, and the bunch last tremendous amounts of time to go before they start really ripping or getting too beat up, so you can wear them for a long time without expecting them to fudge.. It's not the same as the girls who wear their Sevens every day and rip the knees out, which already have weakened fabric from processing, and are 9oz denim.

I think once a month is a great routine if youre wearing them every day - they'll look lived in but they wont be too dirty. I washed my Regular Ralfs once a month , and they looked great. However, my other jeans I'm washing less often to keep the dark areas really dark.

 

[lcordaro]

Thanks again for your input.

Larry

 

[tweedlesinpink]

I'm going to follow up with a question of my own: what about dry cleaning? I'm in the tropics where **** happens very quickly, and my APCs are smelling after 3 weeks of moderate to high wear. Planning to take them to the nearby dry cleaners, but before i do that, does anyone have suggestions? Any instructions i should give the cleaners, should i turn my pants inside out, tell them that the jeans will bleed if they touch water SO DON'T EVEN THINK OF IT...stuff like that.

 

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by tweedlesinpink

I'm going to follow up with a question of my own: what about dry cleaning? I'm in the tropics where **** happens very quickly, and my APCs are smelling after 3 weeks of moderate to high wear. Planning to take them to the nearby dry cleaners, but before i do that, does anyone have suggestions? Any instructions i should give the cleaners, should i turn my pants inside out, tell them that the jeans will bleed if they touch water SO DON'T EVEN THINK OF IT...stuff like that.

You'll probably want to tell them not to press them--sometimes they'll do it of their own accord, and then you have to reset the creases. Not the worst thing ever, but definitely annoying, especially after just three weeks of wear, when the creases are really starting to get set & defined.

 

[aaronmetcalf]

the only time i've washed my last pair of jeans was when a girl "friend" of mine spilled bongwater on them and there is no getting that smell out! the worst! otherwise i'll usually wash them after the first year

 

[Ott]

hah, this is the best thread necomancy I've seen in a while.