Denim Care:

 

So does denim need care?!?

 

Yes if some precaution is taken, your denim bottoms can last you a long lime...

 

West & Us have different concept when it comes to washing our cloths “especially denims”

In general THE MOTHER always washes (the mother can refer to anyone who takes care of you, 75% Indians it’s the MOTHER) This is what a typical lifecycle of a JEANS is in a Indian household: Buy – Wear – Wash – Ironing – Storage – Wear – Wash – Wear – Wash – Wear – Wash and the cycle continues

Well people DENIM DOES NOT NEED SO MUCH WASHING.

 

Washing

There are two schools of thought where washing is concerned.

To wash

Rinsing denim before its first wear has practical advantages – mainly that any loose, transferable indigo will be lessened. The majority of starch will be removed so creases and whiskers will be softer but that is a look in itself that some denim fans want to achieve. A softer crease also lessens the chance of a break through (holes wearing through the denim.)

…or not to wash

Peace

All indigo is precious and jeans should not be washed. Even if they’re worn all day they shouldn’t smell too bad (as long as there are no incidents involving sick/beer etc). If they do need a clean, a proper denim laundry should be able to bake them to kill bacteria without shrinkage. Some people think that cotton becomes weak and dry without washing but there are denim fans like yours truly who believe the opposite too.

For an Average Denim Jeans:

Life cycle : Try - Like –PAY-

Wear – Wear – Wear – Wear – Hide from Mother – Wear – Wear Threaten mother to run away if washed- Wear – hmm stinks? Ok wash & the cycle continue.

Shrinkage

Now I have been asked this a lot of times by friends who say they get fooled by sales people that their denim will loosen or expand?

Here it is straight: Denim will loosen as it takes shape according to your body, there are a few brands in India who use lower quality fabric and their denims DIE, I am not counting them (Note I said few brands cause in INDIA there are very few denim brands who can all themselves BRANDS) All the loosing is due to stretch & stress caused by your daily routine & this is good. But it should not loose a lot that’s just bad quality fabric.

Traditionally before denim is woven, the threads it’s made of are treated with wax or resin to stiffen them and make them easier to weave (although with most repro denim starch is used instead). When dry/raw/unwashed denim is washed for the first time the fibers constrict and the denim shrinks. If raw denim has been pre-treated (sanforized), shrinkage is greatly reduced – from the 10%-30% of unsanforized raw denim to an approximate 3-5%.  This shrinkage occurs predominantly over the first three washes.

 

Brooks Raw Wash at Home

If you do chose to wash your denim use as little soap as possible and if you can find a neutral or non-biological washing powder use this. Biological washing powder contains enzymes best avoided to preserve your denim. Doesn’t tumble dry? Even if you want shrinkage tumble drying doesn’t guarantee an even reduction. It will be a little tight after wash but will be back to normal as it gets time to breath.

Drying

To maintain consistent color dry indigo jeans flat. The dye can ‘marble, uneven effect’ when it’s wet if the denim’s resting unevenly.

Dry thoroughly, it can take denim up to 2 days to air dry. Hanging outside is best for your jeans but not always possible. To dry indoors you need a well ventilated room or airing cupboard. Never place directly onto a heat source like our SUN; this will damage fabric and its finish. Lie flat and allow drying as naturally as possible. Simply put hang it inside out in shade.

Storage

As creases and contours mature, dry denim will fall into them naturally when you take them off. The easiest storage is to unbuckle your jeans and leave them where they fall.

IN CONCLUSION: Its Denims just live your life & your denims will live with you.

                                                                        - Love thy denim