How to Wash Jeans by Hand

Hand washing is a great way to extend the life of your favorite pair of jeans. It is a gentler process
than machine washing and prevents, or at least slows, the fading and break down of fibers.
Cleaning Your Jeans in the Tub
1
Fill your bathtub or utility sink with cool to lukewarm water. Make sure the area is clean and that
you run enough water to fully submerge your jeans. Wash dark jeans and brand new jeans in cooler
water to prevent fading.
2
Add a small amount of mild, liquid detergent to the water. Swish the water a bit so the soap is
mixed in well.
Avoid powdered detergent. It doesn't mix well in water that is cool and standing.
Most liquid detergents will work but a mild, color safe detergent will preserve your jeans' color
better.
In a pinch, you can use baby shampoo, liquid dish detergent, or even white vinegar.
3
Place your jeans in the water and swish them around. Use your hands to move the jeans around in
the water for 1-2 minutes. Avoid rubbing the fabric against itself. If you have a spot to address,
gently rub it with a washcloth instead.
4
Soak your jeans for 15-30 minutes. You want to make sure they are fully submerged in the water
for the best results. If the jeans are buoyant and floating to the top of the tub, you can place bottles
of shampoo and conditioner on top of the jeans in order to hold them down.
5
Drain the dirty water and run another tub full. Gently move the jeans around in the clean water and
then let them soak for 5-10 minutes.
6
Roll or fold the jeans up and press the excess water out of them. Once the rinse water is drained,
fold or roll your jeans up lengthwise. Press down with both of your hands, palms open, using the
weight of your upper body to compress the jeans at the bottom of the sink or tub. Do this several
times, rearranging or flipping them over to get more trapped water out.
Never wring your jeans. This damages the fibers and contributes to wear and tear.

Drying Your Jeans

1
Air dry your jeans to avoid shrinkage and fading. Stretch jeans out on a drying rack (or another flat
surface) or hang them on a line. They will dry faster if they are not folded or hung over an object
like a chair or door.
Air drying your jeans will preserve the fibers for longer than machine drying.
Air drying will also prevent shrinkage and fading.
2
Machine dry your jeans on low heat if you are pinched for time. If you put your jeans in the dryer,
make sure to protect them by using a low to medium heat setting. Nothing destroys jean fibers more
than high heat electric drying. [5]
Machine drying will shrink your denim and, over time, fade the color.
If your favorite jeans are prone to stretching out, machine drying will tighten them back up.