Faded jeans are the worst. These tips showing How To Keep Jeans From Fading will help you keep your jeans blue, black or whatever color they were when you bought them!
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A few weeks ago, I hit American Eagle to pick up jeans for both of my kids. During checkout, the young man that works there gave me a tip that I knew I had to try immediately, and since I had 4 brand new pairs of jeans in my possession, I was ready for the experiment! His tip worked like a charm, and I'll now be trying it with all of our jeans! Here is how it works...
When you buy new jeans, or if you have jeans now that you would like to keep their color, the first thing you need to do is turn them inside out. Here...lets break this down a little better.
Step 1: Buy jeans.
Step 2: Turn the jeans inside out.
Step 3: Set your washing machine to cold.
Step 4: Turn the washing machine on regular wash.
Step 5: Add your jeans to the wash.
Step 6: Add 1 cup of Distilled White Vinegar. You can find it at your grocery store or Purchase HERE
*** DO NOT ADD DETERGENT ***
Washing your jeans in vinegar and cold water will help lock the color in and help them maintain their original color. No worries about the vinegar smell staying on the jeans either.
An alternative idea for locking in the color of your jeans is to soak them in a bucket of cold water with one cup of kosher salt, then rinsing in cold water.
I'll be really honest here, I used to be a fan of buying super cheap jeans, but as I've gotten older, I can really see the value in buying jeans that are better quality and fit better. If I'm going to spend good money on clothes, then they really need to last. So, I really do all I can to make sure they last.
Here are a few other tips that I want to share to help your jeans last longer.
- Wear them more than one time before washing. I really try to wear mine 3 times before I wash them unless they really get dirty.
- Always wash your jeans in cold water. Hot water can not only fade your jeans, but also wears the threads of the jeans out more quickly.
- Hang your jeans to dry. Most jeans contain some kind of elasticity now, so drying can shrink them quickly. By hanging them, you keep them from shrinking, then having to stretch to fit. The constant shrinking and stretching out can cause thread breakage and holes.
- Steam instead of ironing. Some people really like creases in their jeans...I really don't. I definitely prefer my jeans to be wrinkle free, so I use THIS Inexpensive Hand Held Steamer on my jeans.
These tips will not only help keep your jeans bright and colorful, but also help ensure that your jeans last for many wears and years to come!
If your jeans do have a stain, this Laundry Stain Remover works miracles and only has two ingredients. I've used it for years on all of my clothes, light and dark, as well as carpet and upholstery stains too.
You can find all of my home tips and cleaning hacks HERE on my Home Tips Page!
mary m young says
Do you add the vinegar every time you wash them. Add detergent? Thanks
mary m says
Try soaking in a borax solution.
Barbara says
I have the same question.
Debb White says
I don't think so hun. We use this trick when we do tye dye projects too and it works like a charm. It sets the colour and lasts alot longer than if not done.
Wendy says
I bought at least two pairs of black jeans that STINK like the dye that they use. I have washed in vinegar and washed several times. Still smell like chemicals. Any suggestions besides tossing them?we
Jessica says
That's crazy, Wendy! Maybe try soaking them overnight in a sink full of water and one cup of vinegar, then run them through the wash one more time. Hopefully the longer soak in vinegar will work. Hope this helps!
mary m says
Soak in borax solution.
RC says
Hi Jess, I enjoy reading your tips & recipes! Do you wash the jeans in vinegar every time or just the first time?
Jessica says
Hi, Regina! I only wash the jeans in vinegar the first time, then in my normal laundry detergent going forward. Hope this helps!
Theresa says
I purchased a sweater, but after I washed it, it has a grape smell. I tried to wash and again with vinegar and it still has a grape smell. How can I get the smell out? The sweater is purple/white.
Jessica says
Hi, Theresa...that is so odd! Try washing it with 1/2 cup of baking soda!