While you can physically wash jeans in hot water, it is generally not recommended. Hot water causes the cotton and denim fibers to shrink, can cause significant color bleeding, and damages the elastic fibers in stretch jeans. For the best results, always check your care label and follow a few basic guidelines.
Should I wash jeans in cold or hot water? Cold water is best, hot water increases the chances of shrinkage and color loss.
Denim is tough – but when temperatures get too hot it becomes completely different. The cotton fabric is secretly sensitive and can hardly withstand washing temperatures of over 40 degrees. The result: the clothes shrink.
If you wash jeans at a high temperature there is a risk they could shrink and this will make them feel tighter. Jeans that also contain cotton will shrink if they are washed at 60 degrees or above. They will become shorter and they will no longer have a comfortable fit.
The best way to dry jeans is by hanging them up to air dry. Remove the jeans while they're still slightly damp, then stretch the seams and hang them up to finish drying. Once they're completely dry, you can hang or fold your jeans to store in a drawer or on a shelf.
Heavy fabrics like denim, towels, and fleece hold more water and take significantly longer to dry than lightweight cotton or synthetic blends. A pair of jeans can take up to 90 minutes in the dryer, while a thin polyester shirt might be ready in 15-20 minutes. The thicker the material, the more heat and time it needs.
Wash your jeans in cold water (around 30°C / 65–85°F) on a gentle cycle. Cold water prevents the indigo dye from bleeding, stops the fabric from shrinking, and preserves the structural integrity of the denim fibers.
While 30°C is generally considered a “cold” wash, some organisations, such as the EU's Ecodesign Initiative, believe that 25°C or even 20°C is the perfect temperature for a cold cycle.
Machine Washing Jeans
Hot water can cause denim to shrink, so it's best to avoid it. Opt for a mild liquid detergent specifically designed for cold water wash.
Most jeans do best when washed at 30 degrees Celsius. It's both more environmentally friendly and gentler on the fibers, which helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Some brands can handle up to 40 degrees, but it's always a good idea to check the care label — the recommended temperature is usually listed there.
At this slightly warmer temperature you may be able to see better results when washing cotton, acrylics, acetate or blended fabrics like wool mixes and polyester blends. 30°C washes softer fabrics better than 40°C, which is why 40° is better for your everyday clothing, and fabrics that are harder e.g. wool.
They felt good initially, but I know from experience they'll stretch out too much. So, in the dressing room, aim for a slightly snug fit. Not painfully tight, but definitely not loose. This will help ensure they maintain a flattering shape throughout the day.
In general, expect up to 3–4% shrinkage, which on a pair of jeans with a 32" inseam would mean shrinking about 1"–1¼" in the length.
Hot water can ruin delicate fabrics like rayon, rayon blends, wool, or silk by shrinking or breaking the fibers. Opting for cold water is safer for these fabrics and delicate items such as bras, underwear, bathing suits, and athletic wear.
Hot water fades your clothing AND causes colors to bleed more. Both of these are dangerous risks when doing laundry. Try switching to cold water to save energy, prolong the life of your clothing, and save our beautiful blue dot.
The rule is pretty simple. It says that once you have your bra on, you should be able to slide two fingers under the back band. If you can fit more than two fingers easily, the band is too loose. This means your bra isn't giving you any support (did you know the band does about 80 per cent of the heavy lifting?).
A low-rise can easily look dated and “rounds you out at the hip” in an unflattering way, Epstein explains. New York stylist Liz Teich advises her clients to follow one rule when it comes to the rise. The zipper should never be shorter “than a toothpick,” she said.
20 – 25 CELSIUS DEGREE
MATERIALS: cotton, jersey, denim. In short, light or mixed fabrics for a variable time. KEY PIECES: if the weather is not so good, wear a denim jacket or a trench; if it is sunny, a cardigan or a maxi scarf is better.
If you want to preserve the shape of your jeans, always wash them inside out, in cold water, with a specially formulated detergent like Tide plus a Touch of Downy, and do so sparingly. Never Put Your Jeans in the Dryer False. To help your stretched out jeans regain their shape, put them in the dryer for a quick tumble.
DENIM JEANS
We always suggest washing your jeans on the coolest, gentlest wash you can. Set the washing machine on the lowest spin and temperature setting, nothing hotter than 30 degree Celsius is ideal. Wash with like colours only or wash your jeans on their own to avoid colours bleeding.
It is best to wash your denim pants on the short wash program at a temperature between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. If your trousers are made of pure cotton, they can withstand temperatures of up to 60 degrees. Make sure to spin your classic jeans at a speed between 800 and 1000.
What temperature should I wash denim jeans at? Denim can shrink and colours will fade, so to avoid shrinkage and to keep your blue jeans blue, don't wash them at higher than 40°C. It's especially important to use a cold setting when cleaning stretchy jeans.