How to Wash Your Jeans in 4 Steps, According to Style Editors

FOR GUYS WHO don’t baby their clothes, washing jeans can be a disaster waiting to happen. You’d think you can just throw them in with the rest of the laundry—no big deal—but that’s exactly how you end up with faded, stiff, or misshapen denim. At the end of the day, jeans aren’t like your workout shirts or joggers—they’re built tough with thick, woven cotton (sometimes with a little stretch). Biggest rookie mistakes? Over-washing, using too much detergent, and—worst of all—tossing them in the dryer. Unlike those quick-drying, moisture-wicking synthetics, denim holds onto water and soap like a sponge—meaning too many washes can strip away the color, alter the fit, and shorten their lifespan.

Cleaning jeans isn’t the same as washing chinos, which are made from softer cotton and can handle regular cycles. And if we’re talking black jeans, the stakes are even higher—wash them too much and they’ll fade into a sad, uneven gray way before their time. So how often should you wash your jeans? Personally, I go five to 10 times before throwing my jeans in the wash—sometimes even longer if they’re not visibly dirty. But wait too long and dirt, oil, and bacteria start to build up, messing with the fabric and even irritating your skin. When I do wash them, I always turn them inside out, use cold water, and go easy on the detergent. And the dryer? Forget it—unless you want your jeans to shrink and wear out faster.

Here’s the game plan for keeping your jeans in top shape—without wrecking them in the washing machine.

First things first: Turn your jeans inside out. This isn’t some random laundry hack—it’s a game changer for helping your jeans preserve their color. Ever notice how jeans, especially black or dark-wash denim, tend to fade unevenly after a few washes? That’s because the outer layer takes the most direct hit from water, detergent, and friction in the wash. Like your t-shirts and gym shorts, most of the grime, sweat, and body oils accumulate inside, not outside. When you reverse them, the detergent gets direct access to the areas that actually need cleaning, so you get fresher jeans without unnecessary damage to the exterior.

Not to mention, this step keeps the fabric from getting too beat up. As your jeans tumble around, they rub against other clothes, the drum of the washer, and themselves. That friction is what causes pilling, thinning, and unnecessary distressing—especially on areas like the thighs and pockets. Turning them inside out minimizes that surface damage. Raw denim, selvedge denim, or even stretch-infused jeans all have different textures that can change if washed too aggressively. Keeping them inside out helps maintain the fabric’s original feel, preventing the outer fibers from becoming rough or overly stiff.

Before starting the spin cycle, make sure to only use cold water. Heat is denim’s worst enemy—it speeds up fading, shrinkage, and fiber breakdown. Cold water, on the other hand, is more gentle on the fabric, helping your jeans keep their true fit and deep color—especially if they’re on the darker end of the spectrum.

Use only a small amount of detergent—too much leads to avoid residue buildup, which makes denim feel stiff over time. Skip using fabric softener, too—it coats the fibers and reduces the denim’s natural texture. Standard detergents, like Tide or All, are too harsh on denim because they contain enzymes and brighteners designed to break down stains and lift dirt. That’s great for your underwear, white t-shirts, and workout clothes, but for jeans? Not so much. Aggressive formulas weaken the fibers, strip away natural oils, cause excessive fading, and leave jeans feeling stiff or rough. Instead, go for a gentle, color-preserving option like Woolite Darks, The Laundress Denim Wash, or Tide Free & Gentle.

Woolite Darks

This detergent is designed specifically for dark fabrics. It helps maintain the intensity of both blue and black denim by reducing dye loss and preventing fading. Ideal for both blue jeans and black jeans, Woolite Darks will keep them looking fresh after multiple washes.

The Laundress Denim Wash

A premium, plant-based formula that cleans your jeans gently without stripping away color or weakening the fabric—perfect for preserving raw and selvedge denim. Unlike pre-washed or distressed jeans, raw denim is untreated and unwashed, molding to your body over time to develop unique fades and whiskering. Since this natural aging process relied on gradual wear, harsh detergents or frequent washing can strip dye too quickly and ruin that signature, lived-in look from developing properly.

Tide Free & Gentle

It’s free of dyes and perfumes, so it’s gentle enough for denim. This formula helps reduce the risk of stripping away your denim’s color—even for your blue or black jeans.

When all said is done, lay your jeans out flat or hang them to air dry. Using a dryer can really work against your jeans’ longevity and look. They use high heat, which can weaken the fabric, warp the overall fit, and strips away that soft lived-in feel.

Machine washing might be easier, but hand-washing will help extend the lifespan of your jeans while keeping their colors vibrant and fabrics soft. The latter minimizes agitation, friction, and excessive water absorption, all of which break down denim fibers, cause fading, and change the fit. When you throw them in the washer, they get tossed, twisted, and stretched, especially in high-spin cycles. Hand washing, on the other hand, lets you can clean without unnecessary stress—just a simple soak, light scrub, and rinse to remove dirt while preserving the fabric’s integrity. Don’t believe us—follow these easy steps.

Step One: Prep Your Jeans

Turn the jeans inside out. If you have stubborn stains, pre-treat them with a gentle detergent or a damp cloth before soaking.

Step Two: Fill Your Basin with Cold Water

Use a clean sink, basin, or bathtub. Cold water is key—it prevents fading and shrinking.

Step Three: Soak Your Jeans

Use a mild detergent and mix it in well. You don’t need a lot—just enough to create a light soapy solution. Submerge your jeans and let them soak for about 15 to 30 minutes max. This helps loosen dirt and body oils without harsh scrubbing.

Step Four: Gently Agitate and Rinse Thoroughly

After soaking, gently swish the jeans around by hand. Focus on areas that tend to get sweatier (like the inner thighs or waist). Avoid vigorous rubbing, which can damage the fabric. Then drain the soapy water and refill with clean, cold water. Rinse your jeans until all the detergent is removed—this may take a few rinses.

Step Five: Remove Excess Water and Drain Properly

Don’t wring your jeans, as that can distort their shape. Instead, press them gently against the side of the basin or roll them in a clean, dry with a towel to absorb the extra water. Hang your jeans to air dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. You can lay them flat on a drying rack too, if you’re concerned about creases. And voila—there you have it.

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