RAW DENIM CARE: HOW to maximise your fade & WHY you should wash

[evanlaw]

The problem with denim is not how to wash them is not being able to wear them often enough cos we have too many pairs of them while there are only 365 days in a year.

[gaj]

Personally, I always give my raw denim a pre-soak before wear around room temperature whether it's unsanforized or sanforized. Whilst you certainly don't have to on sanforized, some of the denim can be really overstarched which may be good for razor sharp super fast fades, but it will stress the denim too much at the creases causing way too many blowouts. By doing an initial pre-soak at a cool temperature, you remove most of the excess starch but almost no indigo & you still get high contrast fades without blowouts at the 6 month mark. If you're investing good money in high quality denim, as I have since my first Evisu Lot No.1 in 1998, I can definitely recommend this procedure 👍

[alopez]

Body chemistry and well just personal hygiene have a lot to do with smelly jeans. I work with horses and my jeans don't begin to smell till about a month in. I'm a very hygienic person though.

[heisenberg]

Imagine someone snook into his house and just washed all his jeans :/

[Michael]

In my experience the temperature of the water in terms of damage to the denim and materials after washing is the key factor. I ruined a pair of Rogue Territory Selvedge denims as they shrunk considerably in both the the waist and inside leg. Unfortunately their website gave no info on expected shrinkage. I moved to Iron Heart and have 5 pairs. I’ve only washed one pair of 555-01 denims at 40C and there was very little shrinkage. (Excellent website advice from Iron Heart compared to rogue territory.) One problem with the Iron Heart at 40C was the leather patch deteriorated significantly even after treatment prior to washing. My advice is a hand wash in the bath with Woolite denim wash at a very lukewarm temperature. I’ve also used Day-to denim wash spray which freshens them up and is antibacterial. Leaves a fine mist which dries after 10 mins. Excellent product which caused no problem with the Iron Heart denims. I’ll never wash mine at 30C or 40 C again.

[michaeleveringham]

Vinegar in the washing water will help stop indigo bleed

[colinbenfield]

Have to agree with you. I’ve done the 6 month stretch and then the crouch blows. Even heavy denim, makes no difference.

[sabacone]

i seen a Momtaro video were they guy explains that the reason they use indigo die is that it is activated by oxygen allowing the core of the fibre to be white and the outside can be heavily dyed. so the idea is that weft thread (is indigo) is worn and somewhat exposes the core of the fibre that is lighter in the center. and crocking will occur because the leftover dye is essentially filler and not the true colour of the jeans. thanks, great video

[imp]

I have to thank you. I have never heard of this before. This looks like something I could get into. I now see why this is a thing. Always had cheapo jeans and they sort of look ok but I am starting to appreciate raw denim. I told my wife and she is not keen on me spending £200 on a pair of jeans so when when I finally decide what to get, I'll have them delivered to work. Any thoughts on what brands I should consider?

[JohnnyTrulove]

Hi there. Good tips on denim care thanks. I'm about to start on a fresh pair they are raw 501's old stock from around '97. Have had Unbranded selvedge and a few pairs of Sage denim. Also some Japanese denim but I look forward to really putting heavy wear on the Levi's and being patient before the first wash. Curious to see how they fade.

[LorenzoNW]

I'm a little confused. My understanding is that it's best to wear selvedge denim for a few months before throwing it in the wash to get the best fades. But if I want a straight foldback cuff, I need to wash and dry the jeans a couple times (usually on warm setting) before getting it hemmed to the right length before cuffing.

[DaNewWaveLee]

If you have a newer washing machine you can substitute it for the tub because there are new washing modes now

[lymn]

clothes hanger in the shower, where did you buy it? That rod

[levilandlord]

Back in the 70, s I would buy and wash my stf levis in the washing machine. the denim would get a lovely fade over years. Thats why i hate the new dying of denim as not like old were the jeans would bleed and bleed . they use to get wispers and looked really good but the modern dying This does not happen. I do not understand why people dont want there jeans to fade these days.

[ChopKnives]

Thanks for this, lots of great tips.

I’m a big fan of my Hiuts (I have 6 pairs, including a pair with custom leather tag I had made for my wedding).

[ReadyForHell]

What are you thoughts of washing in the washing machine on cold and hang dry? I have a pair of Roy R01 I haven’t washed yet

[joesan]

I have been wearing my Ruttloff H3 denim since 6 months now and I follow more or less the same wash / soak cycle like you. I just got it out of the soak yesterday marking it's 6th month of wear.

By the way what is that guitar in the background? Is that a Gibson Les Paul or the Epiphone?

[seanleau]

Wow...! Really?
I just wash them in the washing machine and be done with it. I do it for all my levi's.
I don't really get it why it is done this way and is it common practice for denim?

[CH-bpbj]

10:33 I've hung up my jeans to dry like this but it significantly weakened the belt loops and I pulled up my 3sixteens one day and the belt loop blew out. I usually hang dry by folding my jeans over the hanger or over a chair outside.

[liljuanito]

Does it matter if you turn em inside out during soak/wash? Any difference from your experience?
I myself do a soak after the creases have set in and at least a month of wearing to help soften the fibers to your point of preventing blowouts.