WHY WAIT BEFORE WASHING?

Raw denim is just that: Raw. It’s best to give your denim time to learn your body and lifestyle before the first washing. Normally, if you can wait six months, that is best. The longer you can go without washing, the better your jeans will look and feel. The reason for this hearty delay is due to the indigo dyes used with raw selvage denim. It will wear off a bit in places that have naturally more distress than others. Creases are a perfect example of this. By walking, sitting, or putting your hands in your pockets - these creases will slowly form in areas unique to you and your activities and contribute to making your jeans look great. When the time comes to give your jeans that first wash, the indigo will fade in those creased areas to reveal the slight contrast that help give the denim that great worn look unique to your body. But beware, if you wash your denim too early, without training your jeans - then the indigo might wash off too uniformly and you won’t be able to establish the custom wear marks. But don’t sweat, there are ways you can keep your jeans fresh and clean as your breaking them in…

Here are some tips:

• If you get a stain, just rub it out with some cool water, avoid soap or detergent.
• Let them breathe! Put them outside in fresh air or in the sunlight.
• In a pinch, you can use some gentle odor removal spray.
• Try putting them in the freezer overnight - this will kill most bacteria present.

THE FIRST WASH - seal in the good looks

• Be sure to turn your jeans inside out and wash them by themselves. Try not to use any laundry detergent, but if you feel you must (if the smell is waking the neighbors) - just make sure it doesn’t contain any bleach. We’d recommend 3×1 Denim Solution.
• Washing by hand is always best, but you are utterly opposed or in a time crunch, try the gentle cold cycle on your machine (though we wouldn’t jump on that option).
• Our preferred method is to draw a cool to room temperature bath, and soak your jeans for about 45 minutes. You’ll notice a lot of the indigo getting pulled out, that’s to be expected and one of the reasons we like waiting for the first wash (so your jeans have a chance to develop natural wear and lines).
• After the wash, turn them right-side-out and let them air dry. Be patient. Letting time do the drying will give you the best end result.
• Stretch out the inseam while the jeans are still damp (but go easy Hercules).

 

IRONING YOUR JEANS - if the urge strikes you

• Turn your jeans inside out.
• Use the high heat setting with steam on your iron.
• Find a soft cloth and use that between the iron and your jeans.
• Start with the pocket bags.
• Match the seams side by side and lay one leg at a time on your ironing board.
• Iron your seams flat and move to the inside of the leg. When you finish that side, flip them over and do the other. Repeat for the other leg.
• Now you can do the waistband.
• Put them on. Find a friend and give them a high five.

 

HOW TO DRY

You should avoid putting your jeans in a dryer if you can help it. Drying out in open air is always best. If you have a clothesline - try not to drape them over the line (so you don’t get an unsightly crease). Instead, use clothes pins or lay them out flat. Try never to use heat or place them close to a heat source — simply because it will increase the shrinkage.