What Does Soaking Jeans Mean?

First, let’s define ‘soak’: This is when you “introduce water” before you start wearing the jeans NOT to clean them but to achieve some other goal. This first approach is where you soak your jeans by hand, in other words without wearing them.

Why would you soak jeans?

The principal reason to soak unsanforized denim is to shrink-to-fit the fabric. Since the cotton is in its raw state, jeans made from unsanforized denim can shrink 1-2 waist sizes and 2-3 inches in length. The process is the same as above except for unsanforized denim, hot water is preferable (40°C/140°F).

Should I soak my jeans?

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. If sanforized or “one-wash” you won’t need to soak them.)

How long should I soak my denim?

Let your jeans soak for about 45 – 60 minutes. The amount of time you let your pair of jeans soak in the hot water affects the percentage of shrinkage you’ll get. So, if the jeans is already tight, you should decrease the soaking time.

How do you hot soak jeans?

How to soak and wash your Denim

1. Fill a bathtub or bucket with warm water (approximately 40ºC) with enough water to cover the garment.
2. Turn the garment inside out and dip it in the water.
3. Leave it to soak for approximately 1 hour without stirring it to prevent excessive loss of indigo.

Does soaking jeans shrink?

“The theory being that the oils from your body combined with the heat of wearing the denim will give a truly customized fit.” This approach inspired another shrinking method, which requires you to wear your jeans while soaking in a bathtub of hot water and then allowing them to dry on your body.

Is it OK to soak jeans overnight?

To avoid your jeans getting stiff after drying, try soaking them in a mixture of water and fabric softener overnight, then rinse the following day.

How long does it take jeans to stretch?

Dry, 100% cotton denim expands anywhere between one inch to 1.5 inches over a three month period of daily wear.

Does raw denim stretch or shrink?

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.

How do you wash jeans for the first time?

Before you start wearing the jeans, give them a soak (a hand-wash without detergent). The warmer the water the higher the shrinkage. After the first soak, wash the jeans whenever needed with either hand-washing or machine-washing. If you want high contrasts, postpone machine-washing as long as possible.

Does dry denim shrink?

If so, how much of inseam and waistline will be lost? Today, almost all dry denim fabrics are pre-shrunk to prevent radical shrinkage when you wash your jeans for the first time. The care label says to allow about 3% shrinkage, which means that they will retract to the size they were when you first bought the jeans.

How can I soak my jeans without a bathtub?

When it comes to the classic approach of washing or soaking your raw denim, the process is pretty clearcut. Just mix dark care laundry detergent (or a speciality raw denim cleaning agent – such as the Sugar Cane Soap, 3×1 Denim Solution, or A.P.C.

How do I make my jeans tighter?

8 Ways to Make Your Jeans Fit Tighter

1. #1) Wash Them in Hot Water. Washing your jeans in hot water causes the denim fibers to contract and shrink.
2. #2) Use a Steam Iron.
3. #3) Place Them in the Dryer.
4. #4) Boil Them.
5. #5) Take a Hot Shower While Wearing Them.
6. #6) Use a Hair Dryer.
7. #7) Roll Up the Bottom.
8. #8) Take Them to a Tailor.

How do you make loose jeans tighter?

Basically, you loop the belt loop closest to the big button on your jeans around said button, which cinches the waist of your pants. Then, you button and zip your jeans up like normal, and boom! You’ve officially got better-fitting jeans.

How do you wash jeans so they don’t shrink?

In addition to not over-washing your jeans, here are 5 simple ways to wash your jeans without shrinking them.

1. Turn Jeans Inside Out And Zip Them Up.
2. Use The Gentle Cycle And Cold Water.
3. Skip Detergent And Add White Vinegar.
4. Hand Wash Your Jeans.
5. Hang Dry Your Jeans.

How often should you wash your jeans?

every 3-10 wears
A good rule of thumb is to wash your jeans after every 3-10 wears, or when they start to smell. If you’re regularly active in your jeans (think: manual work, anything where you work up a sweat), wash them every 3 wears, but if you’re working at a desk, you can probably go through multiple wears without washing.

How long should I put my jeans in the freezer?

Fold your jeans neatly and place inside bag. Seal bag and insert in freezer. Remove after one week and wear as new. While this process won’t remove stains and isn’t really intended for “work jeans” (I think), it is touted to kill any living organisms and make your jeans FEEL crisp and clean again.

Should jeans be 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.

Why are jeans tight after washing?

First, to get technical, that tightening phenomenon is called “consolidation shrinkage.” Think of denim fibers as a long chain. When fabric is agitated during the wash and heat cycles, it causes fibers to break their bonds so the cloth gets smaller.

Does showering in your jeans stretch them out?

“The idea that you should wear your jeans in a bathtub is a terrible idea. It’s not only uncomfortable, but it stretches out the jeans in unnatural ways. It creates knee-bagging and pulls at the hips, giving you hip-flare.”

What is the fastest way to break in raw denim?

Here are the top five ways to break in and gently fade your raw denim.

1. 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.
2. Soak in ‘Em. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about this one.
3. Sleep in ‘Em.
4. Abuse ‘Em.
5. Wash ‘Em.