It might be a challenge to determine when your jeans need washing. Factors such as odor, dirt, activity level, and personal preference come into play. We recommend not washing our jeans after every single wear. Instead, try spot cleaning to remove stains as they happen. Spot cleaning using a damp cloth or soft toothbrush with mild soap can treat stains immediately. Before using gall soap or heavy stain removers, always test them on a hidden spot first. This ensures the cleaner won't accidentally lift the dye or leave a permanent mark!
Keeping longer intervals between washes is the best cleaning method for long-term denim love.While some people might wash their jeans frequently, it's often best to wait longer intervals between washes for optimal care.
The key is to strike a balance between maintaining cleanliness and preserving the quality and appearance of the denim.
Odor and Dirt
It’s inevitable - your favorite FITJEANS will get dirty over time. If your favorite pair has visible stains or smells a bit less than fresh, it’s time for a wash. Especially with a dark pair, you want to keep them clean so the indigo stays crisp and doesn't get dull from buildup.
Activity Level
Your activity level also plays a role in determining how often to wash your jeans. If you wear them for light activities, such as working at the office, running errands or coffee dates, you might be able to get away with washing them every 10 wears, or even every two months. But if you're living in them and wear them every day (we totally get it), you might need to wash them more frequently to keep them feeling fresh.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what works best for your comfort and activity level.
Preparing your favorite FITJEANS for washing
Preparation is the secret to keeping your denim looking perfect. Before you even think about the washing machine, follow these steps to protect the fabric.
Check the Care Label
Always read the care label first. It’s the blueprint for keeping your pair of jeans in it's best shape. It tells you exactly how to handle the fabric so you don't accidentally shrink your favorite fit.
Turn your Jeans Inside Out
This is the golden rule: always turn your jeans inside out. This simple move protects the outer fibers from the spin cycle and laundry detergent, which helps prevent unnecessary fading. It’s the easiest way to keep them looking "new-new." Also, empty the pockets before washing to remove items that can scratch the fabric or leak ink. For extra protection you can put your jeans in a laundry net.
Sorting by Color to prevent dye transfer
Don’t mix your lights and darks! Sort your clothing by color to prevent dye transfer. Wash your blue jeans with other dark colors and keep your light denim separate. This keeps the indigo where it belongs - on your pants! We recommend to wash your new pair alone for the first few times. Over time, we recommend to wash light colors with lights colors, and dark colors with dark colors. Don’t mix your light and dark clothes. This prevents unwanted dye transfer.
Choose and use a Mild Detergent
Choosing the appropriate detergent and water temperature plays a significant role in preserving the quality and look of your jeans. Mild or special denim detergents, and cold water (max 30°C/86°F) are your best friends when it comes to washing jeans.
A small amount of mild detergent is important as harsh chemicals can break down the stretch fibers that are designed to fit your waist and legs. Avoid anything with "hidden" fabric softeners - they're a nightmare for stretch denim, and will destroy the fit and fabric.
Cold Water (or max 30°C/86°F)
Always wash in cold water (max 30°C). Not only does it prevent your new jeans from shrinking, but it’s also way better for the environment. Warm water or hot water can damage the elasticity, and nobody wants saggy jeans.
Specialized Denim Detergents
Specialized denim detergents are, as their name says, designed specifically for washing jeans - and they may provide better results than regular detergents. They're formulated to be gentler on denim fabric and contain enzymes that break down dirt and oils, making them more effective at cleaning jeans. For dark jeans, consider a specialized detergent for dark colors. These are formulated to help the dye stay put, especially for black jeans.
Machine Washing Techniques
There are several strategies to remember when it comes to the the best way to machine wash your jeans. Using a gentle cycle, never use fabric softener, and preventing dye transfer can help maintain the quality and appearance of your jeans.
Use the Gentle Cycle
Set your washing machine to the gentle or delicate cycle. This reduces the friction during the spin cycle, ensuring your denim doesn't get beaten up.
No Fabric Softener
Never use fabric softener when washing FITJEANS. It leaves a coating on the fabric that can and will ultimately destroy the stretch and make the denim lose its shape. And - even for your white denim - avoid bleach at all costs. It’s a "stretch-killer" that weakens the fibers and will eventually destroy that perfect FITJEANS shape.
Don't panic if your jeans feel too tight after washing - after wearing them for a little while, they'll adapt to your body again.
Totally normal: Fading Over Time
Be aware of the fact that blue colors will fade naturally in time, as this is a natural characteristic of the dye, which gives each garment an individual look. Colored denim (such as our Pastel Collection) will naturally fade over time. This is a characteristic of denim that's dyed after weaving, rather than before. The fading should occur evenly across the fabric - if it doesn't, it may indicate a defect. However, gradual, even fading is expected and a beautiful part of the denim's aging process, not a flaw.
A gentle Alternative: Hand Wash Your Jeans in Lukewarm Water
For high-quality raw denim or extra-delicate FITJEANS, hand washing is the gentlest way to clean jeans and helps maintain their integrity over time.
- Fill the Bathtub or Sink: Use lukewarm water or cold water. Ensure there is enough water to fully soak the pair.
- Add a Small Amount of Detergent: Mix it in until the clean water is slightly sudsy.
- Soak and Agitate: When washing jeans by hand, it is recommended to soak them in cool or warm water with detergent for 15-30 minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse with clean water until all the suds are gone and the water runs clear. Gently squeeze out leftover water - never wring them!
Dry Jeans: Air Dry Your FITJEANS
How you dry jeans is just as important as how you wash them. To keep that fit that's designed to fit your waist and legs, stay away from the heat!
Air Dry Only
Never put your FITJEANS in a tumble dryer. The heat will destroy the stretch fibers and cause them to shrink. Instead, hang them in a breezy spot. The best way to prevent shrinking and damage is to hang or lay jeans flat to air dry in the shade. If air drying is absolutely not possible, use the lowest heat setting on the dryer and remove the jeans while they are still slightly damp.
Prevent Fading and Shrinking
To avoid fading, keep them out of direct sunlight while they dry. You can lay them flat on a towel or hang them by the belt loops. This prevents creases from forming while the fabric is slightly damp.
Black and Stretch Denim
For black jeans, always wash inside out in cold water to keep that dark look. For stretch denim, avoid any heat at all costs to keep the stretch snappy and ready to hug your curves.
Dry Cleaning and Professional Care
Sometimes, you might consider a dry cleaner. While dry cleaning is an option for some, the chemicals can be harsh. If you do go to a dry cleaner, make sure they know how to handle high-quality denim and ask them to avoid heavy pressing.
Pro Finish: Do You Really Need to Iron Your Jeans?
The good news? Most FITJEANS don’t even need an iron. Thanks to the high stretch content, your body heat will naturally smooth out most wrinkles after about 20 minutes of wear. However, if you’re a fan of that ultra-crisp, flawless look, follow these rules:
- Iron Inside Out: Always iron on the reverse side to protect the color and prevent those annoying shiny patches.
- Check the Heat: Stick to a low heat setting. High heat is just as bad for spandex in an iron as it is in a dryer.
- Slightly Damp: It’s much easier to remove stubborn creases if the fabric is still a tiny bit damp from air drying.
- The Steam Alternative: A garment steamer is actually the gentlest way to refresh your jeans and get rid of wrinkles without direct contact with a hot iron.
Read our Guide on how to iron jeans!
