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Best ways to wash denim jackets at home
Denim is a cotton twill fabric that is synonymous with style, durability, versatility, and comfort. This universal fabric is ubiquitous in most of the wardrobes across the world. Denim is worn in many forms but the staples would be jeans and denim jackets. Denim jackets can be tricky to take care of. There is no shortage of advice on the do’s and don’ts of denim jackets washing, but still, it remains a touchy subject.
It is not easy to find that perfect pair or two of your favorite and most comfortable denim jackets and when you do, we’re sure you’d want to avoid laundry mishaps and major headaches. These most-worn pieces of your closet need proper care as every denim jacket fan would know. And while we’re no professionals at doing laundry, we have outlined some tips and methods for washing denim jackets at home.
5 tips to remember while washing your denim jacket at home
1. Use Mild/natural detergents
It is important to check for large amounts of chemicals that may be present in your washing product. Even if you have to stray away from your regular detergent, get a mild one for your denim as is it worth this extra effort. Harsh ingredients can make your denim jacket’s dye fade faster and can loosen the fabric's natural stiffness, making it go out of the shape. Also, remember that your denim needs only a tiny amount of washer liquid/soap. Half a teaspoon should do the trick.
2. Flip to avoid a flop
Always flip your denim jackets inside out while putting them under wash. This trick will not only avoid tampering with the dyes but also thoroughly clean the inner areas that need cleaning in the first place. It is also equally important to buy high-quality denim jackets for maximum life of the product.
3. Always Line-dry
Never, ever put your denim jacket in the dryer or put them on hangers to dry Dryers can affect the strength of the fabric weave and shape of the garment over prolonged usage. Secondly, hangers can cause indents near the shoulders and collar of your jacket. It is best to hang them on a straight wire or flat dry on an old towel.
4. Cold wash
Warm water is generally not advised for a garment. Especially for denim, warm water can cause it to shrink and it also fades denim. A cool hack is to hang your denim jacket up in the bathroom whilst you are taking a shower. This way you will be allowing the jacket material to swell due to the steamy water vapors. Your denim jacket will stay fresher for a longer time!
5. Use a Lint Roller
Lint roller is a handheld device that is used to clean lint from garments. The same works wonder for denim as it catches lint, dust, and dirt easily. To avoid frequent unnecessary washes, you can quickly and easily clean your denim jacket by using a lint roller, as often as you would want to, while you’re driving in the car or taking a break at work.
Now, let’s have a look at the best methods to wash denim jackets at home.
Washing a small stain
Spot cleaning is used to clean small/single stains. Don’t let a dollop of fallen mustard or ketchup make you run with your denim jacket to the washing machine. This kind of dirt is not enough to waste a laundry cycle on your denim jacket. Spot cleaning denim is as simple as dapping a soapy cloth on the fabric or gently brushing the soap-soaked area in circular motions.
Hand-washing a denim jacket
Hand washing is an age-old method to clean any kind of garment. For your denim jacket, it is the next best thing to do after spot cleaning. Use a basic and mild detergent, soak your jacket in cold water and let it be for at least an hour. After the soaking, rub any specially stained areas gently by rubbing with your hands and then rinse the jacket with more cold water before letting the jacket dry on its own.
Machine-washing a denim jacket
There are many things in life which are worth spending a bit of extra time on and taking the time out to wash denim alone is one of them. Denim is a sensitive fabric and most denim jackets have zippers, buttons, rips, distress, studs, embroidery, patchwork and rivets. Washing denim jackets in a machine washer is the best method after spot-cleaning and hand-washing. Avoid getting your denim jacket dry-cleaned as the process involves harsh chemicals that can take a toll on the jacket’s fabric.