Here's how to wash jeans in the washing machine:
- 1. Turn your jeans inside out
- 2. Choose the delicate cycle on your washer
- 3. Set the water temperature to cold
- 4. Use a gentle laundry detergent pod
- 5. Air-dry your jeans
Few things work harder in your closet than a good pair of jeans. They go with everything and somehow manage to get better with age. But jeans aren’t just another pair of pants. They’re made from denim: a heavy cotton twill that’s built for durability but also prone to fading, shrinking, and losing its shape if you don’t treat it right. That’s why washing jeans isn’t as simple as tossing them in the machine and hoping for the best.
Most denim only needs a wash every 4-5 wears (sometimes even longer if they’re not obviously dirty, smelly, or stained). In fact, less is more when it comes to laundering jeans. The fewer washes, the longer they’ll keep that lived-in look you love.
Still, even your most loyal pair will eventually need a clean. And when that time comes, you’ll want to follow the proper protocol. In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions for washing and drying jeans the right way.
Pro tip: Always read the care label on your jeans before washing them.
1. Turn Your Jeans Inside Out
Always flip your jeans before tossing them in the washer. This protects the outer fibers from friction, which keeps the color richer for longer. It also shields zippers, buttons, and studs from unnecessary wear. Basically, inside out = denim insurance.
2. Choose the Delicate Cycle On Your Washer
Your jeans aren’t made for punishment. Pick the delicate or gentle cycle to minimize agitation. That’s what preserves the fibers, keeps the dye locked in, and saves you from wearing out your denim before its time.
3. Set the Water Temperature to Cold
Hot water is denim’s worst enemy. Jeans (and all denim) should be washed with cool or cold water. This is essential to prevent the dye in your denim from bleeding or fading. Cold water also prevents your jeans from shrinking and preserves their natural structure.
Bonus: Doing laundry with cold water is more eco-friendly and can even lower your energy bill.
4. Use a Gentle Laundry Detergent Pod
The best laundry detergent for jeans is a mild, enzyme-based laundry pod with no artificial dyes. (You don’t need a specialty denim detergent). Just place a laundry pod in the back bottom of the wash drum, then toss your jeans in and let it work its magic.
Washing jeans with liquid detergent can increase the risk of stains and detergent buildup, which may appear as white streaks. Laundry pods, on the other hand, dissolve when they’re submerged in water, ensuring the detergent disperses evenly during the wash cycle.
Your jeans deserve to smell as good as they look—that’s why we collaborated with top perfumers to make Laundry Sauce. Our high-performance pods come in premium fragrances like Australian Sandalwood and Egyptian Rose that’ll make you wonder why you ever settled for generic detergent.
No matter what your care tag says, these must-haves keep your clothes looking and smelling their best—minus the guesswork.
5. Air Dry Your Jeans
Dryers are denim killers. Instead, shake out your jeans and hang them on a rack in a breezy spot. Air drying keeps shrinkage at bay and helps the fabric hold its shape.
If they feel a little too stiff afterward, run them in the dryer for ten minutes on a no-heat setting with a few wool dryer balls. Problem solved.
Common Questions About Washing Jeans
Now that you know how to wash your jeans the right way, let’s cover some questions.
Is It Really Safe to Put Jeans in the Washing Machine?
Yes. A gentle cycle with cold water is denim-friendly. Just don’t throw them in with towels or heavy fabrics that can scuff them up.
What Water Temperature Should You Wash Jeans With?
The colder the better. Washing jeans in warm water can cause them to shrink and fade, not to mention it’s more expensive.
How Can You Refresh Jeans Between Washes?
Simple: Use Laundry Sauce’s Fabric Refresher Spray. It neutralizes odors, smooths wrinkles, and layers in premium scents so your jeans stay sharp even when you’re stretching that “wash every 4-5 wears” rule.
Can You Wash Jeans With Other Clothes?
Ideally, you should wash jeans by themselves, or with other similarly-colored jeans. This eliminates the risk of dye transfer onto your other items.
If a dedicated wash cycle for a pair of jeans isn’t an option, at least wash them with similarly-colored clothes, and make sure you use cold water, mild laundry detergent, and a gentle cycle.
How Often Should You Wash Jeans?
Jeans only need to be washed every 4-5 wears, or every couple of months—whichever comes first. The exception is if your jeans are stained or have a funky smell.
Is It Better to Hand-Wash Jeans?
Not really. Hand washing is fine if your denim is heavily embellished, but for most jeans, the washing machine (on delicate) is perfectly safe.
Can You Use Fabric Softener On Jeans?
It’s best to avoid using fabric softener on jeans and other denim clothing. Denim has a sturdy and rugged texture, which is part of its appeal. Fabric softeners coat those fibers, making the denim feel softer but also potentially diminishing its original texture and durability.
Your Denim Deserves Laundry Sauce
Denim jeans are one of the most low-maintenance items in your wardrobe, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a little TLC every now and then. Ditch your bargain-big detergent and level up to Laundry Sauce: the world's best-smelling laundry detergent.
With up to 4x more cleaning power than traditional liquid laundry detergents and a collection of premium fragrances, you’ll wonder how you ever did laundry without us.
