Washing Selvedge & Raw Denim: The Ultimate Care Guide
Few other topics are surrounded by as many myths as washing raw and selvedge denim. From "never wash" to nightly ocean dips – the advice on the internet is endless. But how do you really care for the valuable fabric without ruining it, and how do you achieve those coveted, high-contrast fades? Here, we debunk the biggest myths and show you how your selvedge jeans or self-sewn masterpiece can stay in perfect shape for years to come.
The basic rule for unwashed denim is: as rarely as possible, but as often as necessary. To achieve the classic, sharp contrasts (fades) at the knees and hips, many denim enthusiasts recommend wearing the jeans intensively for about 3 to 6 months before the first wash. This allows the creases to properly set into the rigid fabric. After that, you can wash them when they are truly dirty or smell unpleasant.
The basic rule for unwashed denim is: as rarely as possible, but as often as necessary. To achieve the classic, sharp contrasts (fades) at the knees and hips, many denim enthusiasts recommend wearing the jeans intensively for about 3 to 6 months before the first wash. This allows the creases to properly set into the rigid fabric. After that, you can wash them when they are truly dirty or smell unpleasant.
Yes, but with great caution! Always turn jeans or fabric inside out, close all buttons and zippers. Only use the cold wash cycle (or a maximum of 30 degrees) and completely turn off or set the spin cycle to the lowest level. Strong spinning breaks the fabric and causes unsightly, unnatural white streaks (marbling).
Yes, but with great caution! Always turn jeans or fabric inside out, close all buttons and zippers. Only use the cold wash cycle (or a maximum of 30 degrees) and completely turn off or set the spin cycle to the lowest level. Strong spinning breaks the fabric and causes unsightly, unnatural white streaks (marbling).
This is the gentlest and most popular method among denim lovers. Fill a bathtub or large tub with lukewarm water. Add a very mild delicate detergent (without bleach!) or special denim wash. Place the jeans, turned inside out, in the water for about 45 minutes and gently agitate them occasionally. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with clear, cold water.
This is the gentlest and most popular method among denim lovers. Fill a bathtub or large tub with lukewarm water. Add a very mild delicate detergent (without bleach!) or special denim wash. Place the jeans, turned inside out, in the water for about 45 minutes and gently agitate them occasionally. Afterwards, rinse thoroughly with clear, cold water.
Never. The intense heat in the dryer damages the cotton fibers, ruins any elastane present, and causes the fabric to shrink uncontrollably. The leather patches on the back will also become hard and brittle in the dryer.
Never. The intense heat in the dryer damages the cotton fibers, ruins any elastane present, and causes the fabric to shrink uncontrollably. The leather patches on the back will also become hard and brittle in the dryer.
After hand or machine washing (without spinning), the trousers will be extremely wet. Carefully roll them in an old, dark towel and gently squeeze out the water – never wring them! Afterwards, hang the jeans smoothly in a well-ventilated area. Ideally, you should hang them by the belt loops (or lay them flat on a drying rack) so that they don't crease in the middle.
After hand or machine washing (without spinning), the trousers will be extremely wet. Carefully roll them in an old, dark towel and gently squeeze out the water – never wring them! Afterwards, hang the jeans smoothly in a well-ventilated area. Ideally, you should hang them by the belt loops (or lay them flat on a drying rack) so that they don't crease in the middle.
Air it out – it's your best friend. Hang your jeans outside overnight in the fresh air. The famous trick of putting jeans in the freezer temporarily kills some bacteria, but it doesn't remove dirt or skin flakes. A good fabric refresher spray (especially for denim), sprayed on the inside, is often the better alternative between washes.
Air it out – it's your best friend. Hang your jeans outside overnight in the fresh air. The famous trick of putting jeans in the freezer temporarily kills some bacteria, but it doesn't remove dirt or skin flakes. A good fabric refresher spray (especially for denim), sprayed on the inside, is often the better alternative between washes.
Selvedge Denim
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