Concerned about washing your favorite pair of jeans with other clothes? If yes, then don’t worry this article will clear all of your doubts and bust the myths about washing jeans with other clothes
Washing jeans is one thing if not done carefully or properly can damage the fabric, or can reduce the durability of jeans.
In this article first, we will discuss if you can wash your jeans with other clothes and later cover the right method to wash your jeans without damaging the fabric or fading.
So, can you wash jeans with other clothes?
Yes, you can wash your jeans with other clothes of the same color or shade, though it is best to wash your jeans separately to avoid any color exchange. For Instance, If you have black jeans then you need to make sure you wash it with other dark colors and avoid light-colored clothes. Similarly, if you are washing a dark blue denim then you can wash it with other dark colors like black, gray, dark blue, etc.
However, you should avoid washing your clothes with clothes that are more likely to lose their color during washing. Moreover, you should also avoid washing your dark jeans with light-colored clothes like a white shirt as there is a high chance of a light shirt soaking the color of dark clothes in case the dye espaces during the washing process.
Why washing jeans with other clothes is bad?
Jeans are made of denim fabric and to give jeans a color, one of two methods is used i.e indigo dyeing and sulfur dyeing. Most companies rely on the first method for blue shades and on the second for making other colors of jeans like black or white jeans.
Now, the quality of dyeing is the main factor why some jeans bleed while washing and that is the main reason you should avoid washing them with other clothes.
It is recommended that you should never wash your jeans with other clothes if it is new jeans as it has a higher chance of leaving a color stain on other clothes. Jeans need to be washed alone several times before you wash them with other clothes.
Even after many washes, the rule of thumb is to wash jeans with the same color family.
Lastly, the main reason why you should not wash your jeans with other clothes is that it takes more time to clean. If you are using a strong detergent for cleaning then also, the risk of dye escaping is more. And if you are not using a detergent then it is hard to clean the clothes properly.
Lastly, you need to remember that all clothes are different and need to be washed on different cycles. In the case of jeans gentle cycle is recommended by jeans makers.
Further, if you want to maintain the shade and durability of your jeans, you should follow the care instructions on the tag label. It is easy to follow the instructions if you are washing jeans separately. Even, different types of jeans have different care instructions, as per the materials used to make them.
Can you wash white jeans with other clothes?
No, you should never wash white jeans with other clothes other than white color clothes. White is more absorbent and can catch colors more easily than any other color. Moreover, it is also advised to wash your white jeans by hand and avoid using bleach as bleach can leave yellow marks on your white jeans and further can also be harsh on the jeans fabric.
The best way to wash your white jeans is with your hands separately in a tub using a mild detergent. Most of the time you also don’t need to use detergent and can wash your jeans in a tub of cold water.
Related: What Are Jeans Made Of ?
Can you wash blue jeans with other clothes?
You can wash your blue jeans with other color but it is best to avoid it, as most of the time light blue denim end up absorbing the dye of other dark clothes or jeans.
If you have light blue jeans then it is best to wash them with the same colored clothes like blue instead of black or red. There are many people who have done this wrong.
Moreover, you should also avoid washing your blue jeans with light-colored clothes like white as that can leave your light-colored clothes blue after washing.
I have read many forums where people told about their incidents and how they ruined their favorite pair of jeans by washing them with other clothes. According to one person, he accidentally washed the blue jeans with black jeans and end up getting a black color shade on light jeans.
One other example of this is when one mom washed her blue jeans with his son’s black and red jeans and end up getting a pink dye on her blue jeans.
So, if you plan to wash your blue jeans then it is best to wash them separately or with the same color jeans instead of washing them with black or red clothes.
Can you wash your black jeans with other clothes?
You can wash your black jeans with dark-colored clothes or with the same colored clothes. The lighter color clothes are likely at more risk of attaining the color of dark ones.
Most of the time, dark colored jeans leave their dye on other lighter clothes if you wash them together. The chances of this are more if you are washing your black denim for the first time.
So, in the case of black jeans, you should avoid washing them with light-colored clothes or with other jeans like light blue, pink, white, etc.
Do jeans lose color when washed?
Yes, jeans do lose color when washed for the first time Or regularly. Moreover, washing jeans in a hot water or drying them in a dryer can also lead to fading or losing dye.
The best example of this is when you wash your jeans on a frequent basis. According to denim experts if you wash your jeans every time you wear them then they are more like to lose the dye or color in the process.
Similarly washing jeans for the first time without locking the color of jeans will likely lead to dye coming off jeans.
How to prevent dye escaping in jeans?
If you have indigo-shade jeans which mainly are blue jeans then it is best to lock the color of the jeans before wearing them or washing them with other clothes.
Most of the jeans need to be washed alone to lock the dye before wearing. However, the case is different with raw denim as they are likely to shrink if you wash them before 6 months.
Other than that, most jeans come with a tag that says to wash them before wearing them. Not only it will remove the sturdiness of jeans and make jeans comfortable against the skin but also lock the dye and prevent it from giving stains on other clothes.
It doesn’t matter if you bought premium cotton jeans or cheap jeans, it is recommended to wash them in a solution of vinegar and cold water to lock the dye in the first place.
Step1: First, you should read the tag label on your jeans when you first bring them home. If the tag says the indigo method used in jeans manufacturing will bleed, then it is a strong indication that your need to wash your jeans before hanging them in your closet or wearing them.
Step2: wash your jeans in cold water mixed with white vinegar. To lock the color on jeans you need to soak the jeans from both inside and out.
Take cold water in a bath and add a cup of vinegar to it. Make sure to only take white vinegar for this process.
Further, you can also add a small tablespoon of salt to the water. Lastly, soak the jeans in the water from both inside and out to let vinegar lock the dye of the jeans.
You can also do this process in a washer but is better if you wash your jeans by hand for the first time.
Step3: Lastly, you need to line dry your jeans. You should avoid a dryer for this process. Not only this but anytime you wash your jeans, you should line dry them by hanging them on something instead of putting them into a dryer.
A dryer will not only ruin the fabric but also change the shape of jeans and can lead to shrinking, especially if you are washing jeans for the first time.
