How to Care for Denim
Feathering, fading, frayed hems—your jeans tell your story. Learn how to wash denim and keep your perfectly broken-in pairs looking great for years to come.
Your favorite jeans work hard. The more you wear them, the more they become unmistakenly yours—soft in all the right places, perfectly feathered and faded. But all that wear can take a toll. Friction, frequent washing and high heat break down fibers and fade colors fast. The good news? Denim care isn’t complicated. Turn your jeans inside out, wash them on cold and skip the dryer. Small habits like these will help preserve the character you love—so your favorite pairs keep getting better year after year.
The Steps
Step 1
Check the Care Label
Always read the label to prevent denim jeans from shrinking and fading in the wash. Most EILEEN FISHER denim can be washed with ease, but raw denim and jeans with a waxed finish will likely require special care.
Step 2
Separate Dark Colors
To avoid dye transfer, launder dark wash denim with like colors. New jeans? It’s always a good idea to wash them on their own for the first few times.
Step 3
Spot Treat
Blot fresh stains with a clean cloth, then pretreat with a gentle stain remover (we recommend Tangent GC’s Stain Remover).
For more stubborn or set-in stains, apply a paste of equal parts baking soda and white vinegar and let sit for at least 30 minutes before laundering. If the stain doesn’t completely lift after washing, repeat these steps until the discoloration is gone. Remember not to put stained garments in the dryer—heat can permanently set the discoloration.
Step 4
Choose Natural Detergent
A mild detergent helps preserve the quality and vibrancy of your jeans. Look for plant-based ingredients—they’re gentler on your clothes, your skin and the environment. Our design studio recommends Tangent GC’s Denim Wash.
Step 5
Wash Cold
We recommend washing in the coldest water possible. Not only will this help prevent shrinkage, but it can significantly reduce your environmental impact since roughly 90% of a washing machine’s energy consumption goes toward heating the water. For best results, button up your jackets, zip up your jeans and turn them inside out to minimize friction and fading during the wash cycle.
Step 6
Air Dry
Tumble drying may be an option (check your individual care label), but we always recommend air drying. The heat from a conventional dryer can cause garments to shrink, which can degrade fibers like spandex or elastane found in a lot of stretch denim. Air drying helps preserve the garment's original shape and can extend the overall lifespan of your clothes.
Smooth out any folds or creases and hang denim on a clothesline or lay flat on a towel. If drying outside, turn them inside out to prevent fading and avoid direct sun.
Step 7
Store Your Way
Folding over a hanger, stacking in a drawer—there are many ways to organize your jeans, and it mostly comes down to closet space and personal preference. For truly special pairs or ones that require extra care (raw denim falls into this category), hang by the waistband with clips. It allows air to circulate and keeps your jeans crease free.
Step 8
Skip Laundry Day
The best way to extend the lifespan of your denim: wearing more, washing less. A good rule of thumb is to wash after every 8-10 wears—and to spot treat any stains with a damp cloth or mild soap in between.
Step 9
Repair
Holes, rips, frayed hems? Look to specialty repair shops such as Denim Therapy, which use reinforcing and darning techniques to repair jeans almost invisibly, or get creative and try your hand at visible mending. The sturdiness of denim makes it a great material for patching, embroidery, sashiko or boro stitching—the possibilities are endless. Wear your repairs like a badge of honor.
Frequently Asked Questions
You asked, we answered. Everything you need to know about caring for your jeans.
How can I prevent denim from fading?
While preventing fading altogether isn’t possible, you can slow the process by turning your jeans inside out every time you wash and using cold water and mild detergent. Got a new pair of jeans? Fill a basin with cold water and 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and soak them for an hour to lock in the color before throwing them in the wash.
How can I prevent denim from bleeding?
The solution is likely already in your pantry: distilled white vinegar. Pour 1 cup into the wash to lock in the dye.
That true-blue indigo dye we all love is somewhat notorious for transferring onto hands or bleeding in the wash. Many new jeans have excess dye that has not set into the fabric (this is particularly true of dark wash jeans and raw denim), so it’s always a good idea to wash them separately and use a vinegar rinse for the first few washes.
Is fabric softener safe for denim?
Although softener can make stiff jeans feel softer initially, it adds a waxy coating to your denim, which can degrade the fibers over time. Instead, try adding a half cup of distilled white vinegar to your rinse cycle, or even better—wear your jeans and let them break in naturally.
My jeans shrunk. What should I do?
Fill a basin or tub with cold water, then add two tablespoons of hair conditioner, which helps relax fibers and makes them more pliable. Soak your denim for at least 30 minutes (overnight is better for severely shrunken garments), rinse, then gently stretch the garment out to your desired size. Lay flat on a towel and roll them up to press out the excess water before hanging to dry.
How often should I wash denim?
A good rule of thumb is to wash after every 8-10 wears—and to spot treat any stains with a damp cloth or mild soap in between.
What about the old denim in the freezer trick? Skip it. Temperatures don’t get cold enough to kill bacteria, so you’re better off taking your jeans out of the freezer—and stocking up on ice cream instead.
