NEW YORK, NY, September 25, 2026 — It has been advice we were given about denim care for decades but most of it, frankly, never stood up. But denim experts told CNN several commonly repeated rules on how to wash your jeans are just plain wrong. The fact that real guidance could make these jeans last longer and both.
Myth 1: You should never wash your jeans
And, some denim lovers will tell you that jeans should never see the inside of a washing machine ever. Experts are quick to dispute this, noting dirt and oils gradually break down denim fibers. Unwashed denim tends to break more at the knees and seat, two points that experience a lot of stress.
“Regularly washing denim, repeatedly in fact, increases the longevity of a pair,” says Kiya Babzani and founder of Self Edge. His advice for most everyday denim is to wash jeans after every thirty to forty-five wears. You should wash jeans with visible dirt or stink more than once, even if you wear it only a few times.
CONSOLO: Legitimacy: Raw Denim Needs a Wash via six Months
Hardcore raw denim aficionados tend to buy into a strict six-month before the first wash rule, but some denim experts have argued that timeline is too long and might destroy the fabric. The longer dirt is allowed to stay in carpeting, it will weaken fibers and increase the chance of rips and tears.
The more realistic rule here is to wash your raw denim once every five to ten wears. For jeans that need to be washed less regularly, fabric freshening sprays can also be used. Steaming jeans in between washes reduces odor without going through an entire washing cycle.
Myth 1: Washing Your Jeans Never Fails To Make Them Stiff
A lot of folks skip washing jeans for fear the fabric will become stiff. This process, however, is highly dependent on the drying method used, according to care experts. The most ordinary cause of stiffness after washing is to air-dry without a fabric conditioner.
Denim can become hard and stiff from washing and detergent, so it is better to keep denim super soft by using a fabric conditioner in the wash cycle. Washing denim jeans inside out can also preserve their color and texture. Washing with cold water reduces the risk of shrinkage and fabric damage overall.
Myth: Detergent Alone Is Enough
Others believe that plain detergent coverage protects the pair of jeans. Detergent mostly removes dirt, rather than softens fibres — a fact when pointed out can make for some interesting chit-chat with that friend who’s into fabric care. Like hair conditioner for your clothes, a separate fabric softener helps to protect fiber from wearing down.
Also, zip and button your jeans before washing so that they don’t get damaged during the wash. If you leave hardware undone it can catch on other fabrics or get stuck in the drum of the machine. These little steps significantly longer a beloved pair of cling on wearability.
The Bottom Line From Experts
Denim experts are all on the same page: Wash your jeans, but not too much. Everyday denim is best washed every five to ten wears, contingent on use. These three clues are all fairly clear indicators that a wash is well overdue: visible dirt, stains or underlying odour.
Simple habits such as cold water and inside-out washing actually do more for denim, than anything else. Air drying instead of using the dryer, will keep shape and color. Choosing advice from someone who actually knows, rather than something you saw on the internet, is one way to ensure jeans remain looking like new for a lot longer.
The way we store our denim is also part of the equation in how good they look through time. Simply fold them and hang by the waistband so that they keep their original fit. Experts say drawers are better off not crowded with so much fabric that it gets a crease and wears too soon.
Misinformation about dealing with stains is another topic where results end up being worse than should be! When we rub a stain vigorously, it pushes the stain more into cotton fibres, thus not lifting it out of denims. It is much better to act quickly by gently blotting a fresh stain at the earliest before washing.
Dues and blends of fabric, fy do. Stretch denim (denim with added elastane) is usually washed more gently than rigid, all-cotton denim. Before obeying the same advice, checking the care label is still one of the easiest ways to prevent damage.
