HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR
JEANS THE responsible WAY

From light wash flares to deep black straight legs, there’s one thing all jeans have in common: how they should be cared for. Taking *good* care of your jeans doesn’t equate to a cycle through the wash with the rest of your laundry once a week. When it comes to denim, less is more – including washing them only when you really need to. Proper care prolongs the life of your jeans and is easier on the environment — meaning you’ll replace your jeans less often, cut back your water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the number of microplastics that are released into our waterways. Who doesn’t love that? Here are some more intentional approaches to caring for your jeans — MOTHER Earth will thank you.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR JEANS THE RESPONSIBLE WAY

From light wash flares to deep black straight legs, there’s one thing all jeans have in common: how they should be cared for. Taking *good* care of your jeans doesn’t equate to a cycle through the wash with the rest of your laundry once a week. When it comes to denim, less is more – including washing them only when you really need to. Proper care prolongs the life of your jeans and is easier on the environment — meaning you’ll replace your jeans less often, cut back your water usage and reduce the number of microplastics that are released into our waterways. Who doesn’t love that? Here are some more intentional approaches to caring for your jeans — MOTHER Earth will thank you.

DIRT DON’T HURT 

We’ll get right to it: You’re probably washing your jeans way more than you should. Think of running your denim through the wash as a last resort in the cleaning process. If you’re dealing with spills and stains, first try spot treating with mild soap and cool water. Smelling not so fresh?

Put your jeans in the freezer overnight or spray them down with a natural fabric freshener to banish unwanted odors. Utilizing these options first will extend the life of your jeans, preserve their unique hue and save water and energy. If your jeans are still dirty after spot treatment or you can’t seem to shake off that unwanted aroma, it’s time to hit the laundry room.

DO YOUR OWN LAUNDRY 

When it finally is time to wash your jeans, you’ll be happy to hear that although there are some basic rules, you’ve got a couple of options to get the job done. Wash them by hand in the bathtub for an ultra-gentle treatment or turn to the washing machine for a little convenience — either way, make sure you wash them inside out with cold water and a mild plant-based detergent.

If you want to do more than just cut back your water consumption, you can make an effort to minimize your impact by incorporating a washing bag like Guppy Friend to prevent microplastic fibers (more commonly found in stretchy jeans) from entering our waterways. Wash less, wash better.

HIGH & DRY 

Shrinking your jeans in the dryer might give them that like-new feeling we all know and love, but it actually takes a major toll on their structure — especially if they are crafted from stretch denim. Instead of drying your jeans with heat, let them air dry on a drying rack or hanger. If they feel stiff once dry, you can toss them in a cool dryer with reusable dryer balls to soften up the fibers without doing any damage.

ON THE MEND

Another key factor in extending the life of your jeans is by making repairs as needed. Embrace distressing in all its forms — whiskering, faded knees and frayed hems — but tend to tears when they arise (if you’re in L.A., MOTHER recommends the Suay Sew Shop for repairs). Opt for patchwork or the Japanese sashiko method to reinforce compromised denim before it's beyond repair. Not only will your jeans come out even stronger, but they’ll feel even more uniquely yours. 

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