Only wash your jeans when they REALLY need it. Washing wreaks havoc on the color (fewer loads will help on bills too…not to mention being better for the planet!)
If you get a stain or people start talking publicly about the look (or smell) of your jeans…it’s time to wash as follows:
Turn them inside out…it’s an easy step and it really works! Wash in cold water on a delicate or hand/wash cycle…the less time the better.
Use a mild detergent, preferably one that is eco-friendly, such as Method or Seventh Generation (more and more grocery stores are carrying green cleaning products…check it out if you are in the store)
How you dry is as important as how you wash…This one is pretty straightforward: Hang them indoors…many people get the hanging part down but do so out in the sun which damages the color Always hang inside…if you feel they need to be softened up afterwards…throw them into the dryer for a few minutes with no heat
For extra dark jeans, dry cleaning is best but if that doesn’t fit into your plans (or your wallet), just follow the rules above. Keep checking back as Denim Tips Volume 2 is in the works…