SHEfinds | Jeanine Edwards
We’ve all done it. You wear that new pair of jeans just right so they fit perfectly in all the important places. As you pull them off, you wonder: Should I really put these in the hamper? You know if you throw them in the washing machine, they’ll get all tight again, and who knows when you’ll be able to achieve this ideal fit again. Is it gross to just fold them and put them back in the closet so they fit perfectly the next time?
Turns out, it’s not gross at all. Unless you spill something on them or roll around in a mud puddle, there’s nothing wrong with not washing your jeans after every single wear. In fact, some experts actually recommend that you wear your jeans a few times before washing them in order to preserve the fabric and color.
So just how many wears can you get away with before washing your jeans? Up to five or six, according to Mary Ellen Moschetti, CEO of California-based denim brand Parker Smith. “You should be able to wear your jeans at least five to six times or until you feel that they are dirty. If they aren’t dirty, then just fold them, press them, and wear them again. A good pair of jeans should maintain its shape without comprising the stretch and fit,” she says.
Sarah Ahmed, the creative director of DL1961, agrees. “The number of times to wash your jeans is influenced by how stretchy your jeans already are and how often you wear them. If they have a lot of stretch, you’ll find yourself washing them more than jeans with zero stretch. Either way you shouldn’t be running your jeans through the wash more than once or twice a month. If you need to wash jeans more than that then I recommend using the freezer trick to kill bacteria and odors without shrinking your jeans or losing the color.”
So there you have it: Enjoy those perfect-fitting jeans as long as you want!
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