Here are the top five ways to break in and gently fade your raw denim.
- Exercise in ‘Em. To help your jeans go from stiff to soft, they need to worn as much as possible, and they need to move.
- Soak in ‘Em. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about this one.
- Sleep in ‘Em.
- Abuse ‘Em.
- Wash ‘Em.
In this post
How do you break in raw denim fast?
Just flip them inside out and throw them in the washing machine on a cold-water cycle. “If you want your denim to age in a natural and vintage fashion,” Babzani says, “then you should treat them how they were treated in the forties and fifties. They were worn regularly, and then washed regularly.”
How long does it take to break in raw denim?
We asked 3 customers to start with a raw jean, wear it for a minimum of 200 days within one year, wait at least 100 days before washing, then detail the process. Here are their thoughts at the end. Adam from Colorado’s raw jeans after 200 wears.
How long does it take for raw denim to stretch?
Dry, 100% cotton denim expands anywhere between one inch to 1.5 inches over a three month period of daily wear.
Should you soak raw denim before wearing?
Breaking Raw.
Prior to wearing your new jeans for the first time, you need to soak them. Soaking will remove starch and chemicals, making the fabric softer and help it last longer. (Make sure you know if your raw denim is sanforized or unsanforized.
Does sleeping in jeans break them in?
Most of our lives start at home with our parents. Your denim can start this way, too. Wear your jeans at home as you would your PJs. Even sleeping in them for a few nights can help loosen up tight fibers—if you’re doing this with raw denim, tread carefully around your white sofa or favorite white sheets.
How do you soften jeans quickly?
Make a softening solution for your jeans by combining eight cups of hot tap water with one cup of regular, white household vinegar (like this one from Heinz, $9) in a clean bucket or plastic tub. Place jeans into the solution, making sure to fully immersing the fabric, and soak for several hours or overnight.
How often should you wash raw denim?
With raw, you’ll want to go as long as possible without washing, think once or twice a year. If you need to wash jeans frequently, there’s no reason to buy raw (buy a dark wash jean instead). To get good fading, your raw jeans will need to get dirty.
How can I stretch my jeans overnight?
How to Stretch Out Jeans
- Grab a pair of too-tight jeans and submerge them in lukewarm water.
- After the jeans are completely wet, put them on.
- After you’ve put in a few minutes of movement, take off the jeans and hang them up to air dry.
- After your jeans have fully dried, put them on and enjoy the extra wiggle room.
Does wearing wet jeans stretch them?
Wet jeans and then put them on
Ok so this one isn’t going to feel the best, but the denim fibers are easier to stretch when wet and by putting them on, they will stretch in the exact spots you need it most.
How do you loosen raw denim jeans?
WHEN THE JEANS ARE TOO BIG
- WASH THEM IN HOT WATER.
- TAKE YOUR JEANS TO A HOT BATH.
- WEAR YOUR FAVORITE BELT.
- SPRAY THEM WITH LUKEWARM WATER, THEN PULL TO STRETCH.
- SIT IN A WARM BATH WHILE WEARING THE JEANS.
- SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR JEANS.
When should you first soak raw denim?
Do not soak or wash your jeans before wearing them. * Wear your jeans for at least a full week, preferably two to three weeks before the first soak or wash. Air dry them until damp, then put them on and let them dry on your body.
Should jeans fit tight at first?
Ideally, your waistband should fit tightly enough that you don’t need a belt, but not so tight that it feels constricting. For raw denim this means you can fit maybe two fingers into the waistband, but for stretchier styles that number goes up a bit to maybe four.
Does raw denim shrink in cold water?
If you want your jeans to shrink, wash them in hot water. If you want them to stay the same size, use cold water.
How long do raw denim jeans last?
four to six months
Designed not to be washed, raw denim doesn’t fade or wear out. Instead, these jeans should be soaked and hung to dry every four to six months, depending on how often you wear them. (If you can’t stand the idea of not washing your jeans for hygienic purposes, remember that putting them in the freezer can kill bacteria.)
Does raw denim shrink when washed?
Raw denim will shrink after the first wash due to the reaction of the yarns contacting water for the first time after dying. For the same reason they also stretch more easily than yarns that have incurred shrinkage from contact with water.
Will washing jeans break them in?
MORE: 35 Ways to Make Mom Jeans Look Cool
Serious denim aficionados know that raw denim (super-stiff jeans with no washes, fading, etc.) can take up to six months to break in and shouldn’t be washed until then. Why? Jeans really do conform to your body, and when you wash them, most of the shape is lost.
How do you break in stiff jeans?
If your jeans are especially stiff, soften them by washing them with fabric softener and drying them with dryer balls. To break jeans in quickly without washing them, wear them as much as you can, ride a bike while you wear them, or do some deep lunges.
Is raw denim comfortable?
What makes raw jeans desirable. Most stores don’t sell raw jeans. Most stores only sell washed jeans – because they’ve learned most people want comfortable clothing and raw denim is not considered comfortable for most people.
Does salt soften denim?
You can utilize an old tool capable of softening up those jeans and improve your denim-wearing experience — table salt. A cup of table salt is enough to loosen up those stubborn denim fibers. Now you can comfortably wear your new pair of blue jeans without chaffing, and your movements will not be hindered.
How do you soften stiff fabric quickly?
Dilute fabric softener: Dilute a small amount of fabric softener in a cup or glass of water. Second rinse: Drop your clothes into clean water, and then move them to one side so you can add the fabric softener. Then stir your clothes in the water for a few minutes to help the fabric softener do its magic.