Care Tips for denim… #6 in denim series

Avoid the wash: It’s best to keep your denim away from the wash, but if you have to, only wash when it gets stained or begins to lose shape. Use cold water and turn each pair inside out. If it’s your first time washing them, try vinegar instead of detergent – the acid will help set the hue.

Double duty: When you go to shower, hang your jeans in the bathroom for a good steam clean. Or wear them while you take a bath.

Spot-check: If your denim is clean aside from an isolated stain, go ahead and spot-treat with stain remover and a damp cloth.

Hang-dry: Try to make the time to hang-dry your jeans and keep machine drying to an absolute minimum. If you must use the machine or are looking to shrink your denim, dry the jeans inside out for ten minutes, then hang them upside down to air-dry the rest of the way. If you don’t have time to air-dry at all, choose the lowest possible heat setting.

Freeze clean: To neutralize odors another way, fold the jeans in a plastic bag and freeze for a day or two.