Did you know that Levi’s CEO, Chip Bergh recommends NEVER washing your jeans–and especially not in the washing machine? Instead, you are supposed to spot treat them as needed with a little water, mild detergent and a toothbrush. The machine only loosens the fibers and fades the fabric {sometimes to perfection, I’ll be the first to admit}, but it also considerably shortens the life of your jeans.
I don’t wash my jeans all that often, either. I’ll admit, though, when I do wash them, I use the washing machine. It’s just easier. Since most of us aren’t going to commit to not washing our jeans ever, here’s the right way to do it:
- Turn them inside out {this will prevent fading as they get beat along the drum of the machine}.
- Wash ’em in cold using a mild detergent.
- AIR DRY. This is a big one. The dryer is super tough on denim, so just lay them flat to dry. Yes, they’ll be a little stiff, but once you shimmy them over your backside and waddle out the front door, they’ll loosen right up.
Are you a Levi purist, never washing your jeans, or do you toss them in after every wear?
~Mavis
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KAte says
I wear out the inseams on my jeans, so never washing them to extend the life of a pair is a moot point. I always air dry though, everything lasts longer when you air dry it.
Leah Spencer says
I have the exact same problem, wearing out the inseams long before anything else is worn out. All the walking, I guess. I’ve resigned myself to needing to buy 2 new pairs every 3 months. Got lucky yesterday, finding some discounted to $11/pair.
Mrs. Chow says
I don’t have means any more. I can’t stand them so I stopped buying them.
Dianna says
I wash them when they get dirty (every 1-5 wears) and dry in the dryer. I don’t have time for special treatment, and they last just fine. Mine usually last over 1-2 years until the knees wear out and that’s good enough for me. Denim is the most sturdy fabric I wear; my favorite thing about it is that it doesn’t have to be babied.
Cheryl @ Living Design says
I was mine typically every other week or so. I do use cold water for the jeans that are still in good condition. For worn out jeans that have become paint pants, I use warm. I also do tumble dry my jeans (everything on low) because I don’t like the feel of air dried pants. I’ve done it, and it’s not worth it to me.
When jeans stop looking nice, they become garden/camping pants; when they get holes in them, I patch them and use them for paint pants; when those fall apart they get cut up to become patches on other paint pants. So yes, I keep them nice as long as possible, but when that becomes a losing battle they just move on to the next section of my wardrobe!
Dominic says
I might go up to a month, but it depends on what I’ve done in them. I might be on day 3, and end up changing the oil in my DWs car… I have jeans that are 6 years old, that are still plenty durable. But I don’t wear Levi’s, I wear Carhartt or Union Line only. I have no idea how they are washed, my DW is the laundry team, but I know they are run through the dryer.
Lisa Millar says
Such a timely post.
I was only explaining to my husband yesterday that jeans never needed washing.
He gave me quite a sceptical look! 🙂 (Its his nursing side that makes him dubious about this I am sure)
That being said – they do get the occasional wash (and line dried) however there is absolutely no way I am standing about with a toothbrush to scrub them. Life is too short and I am pretty sure they can stand the occasional swim in the washing machine!
Deborah says
I have a question: if you *only* spot-clean as needed, don’t they eventually get funky smelling??
pamela sheppard says
That’s my question also!
Patty P says
I wash my own jeans (in the washing machine, always air dried because I rarely use the dryer for anything) every one or two weeks. I have one pair that I wear. I also have an old pair that I use for doing my outside chores, or if I know there is a chance I will get them really dirty. My husband’s jeans get constantly washed (and he has several pairs) due to them getting filthy at work.
Leanna says
I would wash mine less if they didn’t bag so bad in the rear. I do not like the elastine / lycra that is put in jeans now. I would love to find some that do not have stretch in them.