Here’s where we stand at the endless debate of when to wash your denims and why you should know the caution behind owning a pair
Maintaining clothes is a major contribution to sustainability despite the topic being a bit controversial nowadays. It’s a misconception that sustainability equates to purchasing expensive pieces because there are practices that can actually be done with what you have in the closet. Sustainable living does not start with purchasing pieces made with organic materials, which often results in overspending—this is what we want to avoid.
As mentioned, one of the practices that can actually be done at home to make this staple wardrobe piece last longer is to know how to maintain your denims. Here’s a simple guide on the proper maintenance of denim jeans, why they need to be taken care of, as well as where to get good quality jeans that are worth the investment.
The why behind the caution
Why exactly do we need to invest in good quality denim and why do we have to take proper care of them? Producing denim is one of the most environmentally damaging processes in the fashion industry. Since denim is made out of cotton, it entails a large amount of it and the growing cotton usually utilizes harmful fertilizers and pesticides. It also requires a lot of water to produce the material.
The wash debate
We’ve heard this question countless times: When are we supposed to wash our denim jeans? Before searching Google and following guides from people abroad, you should probably consider your geographical state and weather conditions before applying such practices.
People would advise you to wash it once a month or a few times a year, which doesn’t sound appealing when you live in a tropical country. While advice like that can be valid since they live in a different area with varying seasons, it is only natural for us to avoid such directions when we’re peculiar with cleanliness and hygiene.
If we were to base it on the weather conditions of a tropical country, a safe answer would be after five to six uses. This is to avoid any bacteria build-ups and odor your denim might have after constant use. The amount of washing might be polarizing to some, but this is to ensure that the quality of your denim stays the same and your hygiene remains a priority.
How to wash with care
Once you throw your denim in the washing machine, make sure that it’s inside out and you’re washing it with cold water. The reason behind the inside out washing is to preserve the dye of the denim and avoid color transfer from other clothes. Meanwhile, the cold water is there to reduce the chances of your denims to shrink.
After washing the pair, the cardinal rule behind every denim owner is never throw them in the dryer. This defeats the purpose of washing them with cold water and it will produce more lint, so the best option here is to air dry. Besides, who doesn’t want to lessen their electricity bills via air drying?
Where to buy
We have reached a point where denim jeans are accessible in any store, but the materials aren’t exactly 100% denim. Most of them are blended with polyester, which is why some jeans have stretched finish, which you want to avoid because the fibers are prone to breaking quickly since the weaving isn’t sturdy.
When looking for good quality denim, make sure that it isn’t mixed with other materials. Denims are supposed to be stiff and strong because of the hard-weaving it goes through since it’s a blend of cotton and twill fabric. Brands such as Calvin Klein and Levi’s are known for their sturdy and durable denims—a good investment to avoid overspending.
