How to deep clean denim?

Author: Dr. Myrl Bins Jr.  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

To thoroughly clean raw denim, draw a bathtub of lukewarm water about 2 inches deep and treat the water with a light washing powder designed for dark fabric. Soak for 45 minutes and then rinse with cool water.

How to deep clean denim jeans?

Fill a bathtub or large sink with cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent, then soak your denim for about 30 minutes. Next, rinse your jeans thoroughly with cold water to remove all remaining detergent and dirt. Avoid wringing out raw denim to keep its shape and unique, custom fit.

How to get ingrained dirt out of jeans?

Soak the stain in liquid laundry detergent

Rub liquid laundry detergent over the stain and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to penetrate tough stains. Keep rubbing the detergent onto the stain every three minutes to help get rid of any remaining dirt and mud.

How to get deep stains out of blue jeans?

If it's a food or beverage stain, soak in white vinegar and dawn dish soap for about a half hour. Rinse and wash as normal in the machine. If it's a blood stain, you may have luck with hydrogen peroxide. If it's a grease stain, rub in Dawn dish soap, then, soak in hot water.

Is it better to wash or dry clean jeans?

it's good to wash, to get rid of the sweat and dirt that will eventually eat through the denim. dry cleaning doesn't really get rid of any of that. Yes, dry cleaning can achieve that. Some people don't like dry-cleaning because it can alter the shade of indigo and the hand of the denim fabric, amongst other things.

How/When to wash your Jeans (Step-by-Step Guide)

How do you wash jeans and not ruin them?

How to wash your jeans to make them last longer
  1. Empty all pockets, zip up the fly and turn them inside-out. ...
  2. Wash in a laundry bag to protect the fabric.
  3. Pretreat stains before washing.
  4. Use a color preserving detergent. ...
  5. Never use fabric softener.
  6. Hang dry in a drying cabinet or on a drying rack.

Is it OK to wear unwashed jeans?

Wash as seldom as possible to preserve their shape, quality, and color: "This is especially true when it comes to dry denim, which gets its good looks and personality by wearing—not washing," says Rinske Fris, fashion stylist and founder of The Male Report. "Wash jeans only after 12 or so wears (turned inside out).

Can you get old stains out of denim?

Remove old, set-in stains with white vinegar.

Pour a small amount of undiluted white vinegar on a paper towel. Blot—don't rub—the stain to pull it up, preferably right before washing the jeans. Then, simply wash the jeans as you normally would.

What is the best stain remover for clothes that have been dried?

With OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder, you can remove old stains from clothes even after they have dried, grease and oil stains included. Plus, VSR is color safe, so you can use it to restore the life of old clothes and avoid having to buy new ones!

How to make old denim look new?

Fill a large pot with water and add 1 cup of bleach. Soak your jeans in the solution for 10 minutes before washing them in the washing machine with detergent. Machine washing can affect the color and indigo of the denim, so it's important to turn your jeans inside out and use a gentle cycle to minimize fading.

Can you use hydrogen peroxide on jeans?

Especially for darker and medium wash jeans, hydrogen peroxide can act as a mild bleach and will change the color of your denim. No, thanks! Simple dishwashing soap or even shampoo may be enough here; dab a little onto the stain before scrubbing the area over with a toothbrush.

How do you get dirt stains out of clothes that have been washed and dried?

Here are eight to try:
  1. Use Liquid Soap. My go-to stain removal technique is appallingly easy. ...
  2. Try a Stain-removal Spray. Stain-removal sprays and sticks have come a long way in recent years. ...
  3. Rub White Chalk Into the Stain. ...
  4. Add Baking Soda to Your Wash Cycle. ...
  5. Opt for Corn Starch. ...
  6. Bust Out the Acetone. ...
  7. Bleach it.

Is hot or cold water better for grease stains?

Grease Stains

As soon as you identify a grease stain, you will want to rub enzyme detergent into the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, machine wash your garment in hot water or the warmest setting recommended on the care tag to remove the stain.

How do you get denim to look washed?

Water and salt
  1. fill a bucket or tub with warm water.
  2. add half a cup of salt and stir until it dissolves.
  3. place your jeans in the salt bath and let them soak for 5-7 days.
  4. rinse your jeans and let them dry slowly.

Does bleach stain blue jeans?

Bleach stains are some of the most stubborn fabric stains, but there are tried-and-true ways to get them out of blue jeans. First, apply a bit of alcohol to a cotton ball and then rub the stain.

What is the best wash for denim jeans?

Use the Delicate or Gentle cycle

Denim may seem like a tough fabric, but that doesn't mean you should choose a Heavy Duty wash cycle. Instead, opt for the Delicate or Gentle cycle, and use cold water to help avoid shrinking or fading.

What is the best stain remover for old stubborn stains?

Strong Contenders
  • Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover.
  • Grove Co. Stain Remover Spray.
  • Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber.
  • HEX Performance Stain & Stink Remover.
  • Ingredients Matter Stain Stick.

Can you soak in OxiClean too long?

Soaking clothes in Oxiclean for too long can make the fabric weaker. This is especially true for delicate fabrics like wool, silk, or spandex. The cleaning stuff in Oxiclean is great for getting rid of stains, but if it sits on your clothes for ages, it can start to break down the fibers.

Can you get a stain out if you already dried it?

If the stain is already dry, apply liquid laundry detergent or stain remover and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.

How do you get stains out of jeans that won't come out?

Mix a bit of mild liquid laundry detergent with some cold water. Use a sponge to blot the solution on the stain, rinsing the sponge and repeating as needed. If the stain is persistent, you can dilute some ammonia with a bit of cold water and apply to the stain using the same method.

Does OxiClean work on old stains?

Don't worry if an item is stained or looks dingy because it's really simple to get used items looking like new with OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover. Plus, by giving new life to old clothes, you're not only helping the planet, you're saving money too.

How often should you wash your bra?

“As often as every two to three days of wear,” says Arias. This is for hygiene purposes but also because the elastic components stretch when you wear your bra, and washing it restores the shape.” The one exception to this rule is your sports bras. These should be washed after every use, says Pfister.

Should you turn jeans inside out when washing?

New or old, you should always turn jeans inside out before placing them in the washing machine. This helps minimize the abrasion that causes fading as well as the wear that can happen along the hems, pockets, and fly and waistband edges.

Why do some people not wash their jeans?

"True denim heads, people that really love their denim, will tell you to never put your denim into a washing machine. So that's what I do." Denim lovers often say washing jeans will impact their shape and color, while keeping them unwashed will improve their appearance through creases and exposure to the elements.

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