Not washing jeans preserves their color, shape, and fabric integrity, leading to a longer lifespan and unique fades, while also saving water, energy, and money, though infrequent washing requires air-drying and occasional spot-cleaning for hygiene and to manage odor from body oils and dirt. Experts suggest washing them only when necessary, not after every wear, to maintain denim quality and minimize environmental impact.
While infrequent washing helps preserve the color and shape, never washing your jeans can lead to a buildup of dirt, oils, and bacteria, which can affect both the fabric and your skin.
How long in-between you washing your jeans depends on how much you sweat, how many times you wear them, what you do in them, where you live, and of course, how bad the odor gets. A good rule of thumb is to wash your jeans after every 3-10 wears, or when they start to smell.
As a general rule, we recommend washing your denim sparingly. Over-washing can ruin the unique characteristics of your jeans, such as the creases and fades that naturally develop with wear.
The counts showed between 8,000 and 10,000 colony-forming units per square centimetre in the crotch area of the jeans, 1,500 to 2,500 on the back and 1,000 to 2,000 on the front. "This shows that, in this case at least, the bacteria growth is no higher if the jeans aren't washed regularly."
A good jean will stretch and mold to fit your body, and the dye will gradually rub-off according to how you move in them. After a few months of solid wear you'll be left with a go-to jean that fits like a second skin and is uniquely your own. But washing them improperly can ruin all of this.
Yes, you should wash your jeans. But not every time you wear them. A student at the University of Alberta wore his jeans for 15 months straight without a wash, then tested the bacteria levels. He found that the jeans had just as much bacteria on them after 13 days of not washing them as they did after 15 months.
Contrary to popular belief, jeans should not be washed after each use. Some of the world's leading fashion designers and icons have stressed the importance of washing jeans only when necessary, as this prolongs their lifespan while helping to protect against damage.
New jeans can sometimes smell weird due to the chemicals used in the fabric for dying and manufacturing. Even if you have washed them and they contain an odour, consider soaking them in a mixture of household remedies like baking soda, borax, or white vinegar.
Spray With Vinegar
Granted, it will smell like vinegar at first (obviously). Once it dries, though, the vinegar will odor will go away, freshening your jeans so that they no longer smell.
An easy rule of thumb when doubling up on denim is to keep the washes a couple of shades apart. Denim comes in a huge variety of washes, so choose your shades wisely. We recommend a darker shade on the bottom and a lighter one up top – dark charcoal jeans and an indigo blue denim jacket, for example.
In fact, washing your jeans after each wear can be damaging to your denim and cause the pants to break down faster. So how often should you wash jeans? Much like the pants themselves, the answer is not one-size-fits all. Expert opinions vary on the exact number, ranging from every 5 wears to every several months.
These are 10 day jeans. What the hell is a ten day jean? This this is real high quality denim. That means they don't need to be washed for 10 days.
Raw denim is also known as 'dry denim' and 'unwashed denim.
"In my real life, I wear a T-shirt, grey or white, same pair of jeans. Literally, the same pair of jeans every day." Cooper also revealed that he has an unusual way of cleaning the jeans on the rare occasion he decides they need it. "So the times I've washed my jeans, maybe twice in six months," he said.
Washing jeans less often—about every 10 to 12 wears—or when they start to smell—helps maintain their fit, color, and overall longevity. Proper denim care includes turning jeans inside out, using cold water, and skipping the dryer to prevent damage and fading.
Two chemical groups on Levi's restricted substances list, formaldehyde-based resins and di-isocyanates, have been targeted for reduced use or total elimination in the later stages of garment finishing.
Hang your jeans up to air dry or use a no heat cycle
Exposing your jeans to direct heat in the dryer can shrink, fade or yellow denim, and it can also cause damage to stretch denim fabrics that contain spandex or Lycra.
On average, a well-maintained pair of jeans can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years or even longer. However, this estimate can vary widely based on the factors mentioned above. High-quality jeans, like raw selvedge denim, can last much longer with proper care and infrequent washing.
"True denim heads, people that really love their denim, will tell you to never put your denim into a washing machine. So that's what I do." Denim lovers often say washing jeans will impact their shape and color, while keeping them unwashed will improve their appearance through creases and exposure to the elements.
8 Tips to Keep Your Jeans Looking Brand New
Jeans Are Incredibly Versatile
You can easily wear a pair of smart jeans to the office and with a change of shoes, you can go out for a drink without looking out of place. Jeans can easily be accessorised with many different things to make them as individual as you want.
Bacterial biomass is the major component (25–54% of dry solids) of the organic fraction of the feces.
Freezing your jeans offers a simple and effective way to kill odor-causing bacteria, leaving your jeans feeling refreshed without compromising the fabric. This method is particularly useful for jeans that aren't visibly dirty but could use a little freshening up.