It has long been said that denim should not be washed because the color will fade and the texture will change after washing.
I'm Maruko Sakura, a writer for the children's clothing brand "PETITMIG."
Denim is one of the essential items for casual fashion.
However, it has the disadvantage that the color tends to fade after washing.
Does the color match the clothes you have? I want the denim that I bought while worrying about it to be the same color as when I bought it.
So this time, should denim be washed? We will also introduce how to care for and dry your denim so that it does not fade, and PETITMIG's recommended denim.
Question about denim
I'm sure many of you have heard that "denim will fade, so don't wash it."
But do we really have to wash it?
If so, how often should it be washed?
Denim question 1 [Can't you wash it?]
The answer is no if you don't wash it .
Because it's not "clean ".
Children spill food and play outside every day, and their clothes get dirty all the time.
And not only dirt from the outside, but also dirt from sweat and sebum comes out from the body.
However, if you don't wash dirty denim because it will fade, it will become dirty and smelly .
Therefore, wash thoroughly to remove dirt and keep it clean.
Denim Question 2 [How to wash?]
Denim is also clothing, so you have to wash it to remove dirt.
However, I would like to avoid discoloration if possible.
Therefore, we will introduce a guideline for the number of washings to keep denim from fading as much as possible.
[ Guidelines for washing denim ]
- about twice a month
- When dirt is conspicuous
Depending on how often you wear denim, wash it at least twice a month.
If you leave the dirt on for a long time, it will be difficult to remove the dirt, so wash it as soon as possible .
Although I want to keep the color as it was when I bought it, cleanliness is also important.
Enjoy changing clothing and denim!
It is true that denim loses its color after washing, and the color is different from when you bought it.
For that reason, some people said that it is better not to wash.
But think of it as "against vintage jeans".
Denim is a fabric made from threads dyed with indigo dye.
This indigo dye has the disadvantage of being prone to fading due to its low stability to fabrics .
Therefore, if you wash it, the color will fade and it may transfer to other clothes.
On the other hand, denim fabric has the advantage of being a "very durable fabric".
The fabric softens as you use it, so you can enjoy not only the color but also the comfort of wearing it .
Denim fabric is certainly prone to color fading, but it can be prevented with careful care.
So don't hold back from washing your denim for fear of color fading.
Rather, you can enjoy various textures with just one piece of denim.
Even if it is torn, you can enjoy it as it is as a fashion item, or you can remake it and reuse it.
Of course, it's important to keep the colors as they are when you buy them, but please enjoy the changing fabrics and textures as you continue to wear them.
Preparing to keep denim from fading
Before you wash your denim, be sure to prep it.
This preparation is the same when using the washing machine or when washing by hand.
Preparing the denim body before washing
Let's start with the preparation of the denim body.
[ Preparation before washing ]
- Extend the roll-up part
- close the button and zipper
- turn inside out
- Wash only with denim
If you have a roll-up, stretch this part and check for debris.
If there are pebbles or debris in it, it may damage the washing tub .
Next, close your denim buttons and zippers.
The metal part of the zipper can damage the fabric if you wash it without closing it.
The fabric around the button may stretch, so be sure to close both .
How to keep denim from fading [Washing machine edition]
I will introduce you to how to care for your denim using a washing machine so that the color does not fade as much as possible.
With some preparation, washing denim is super easy.
Please refer to the above items for denim preparation.
Preparing before washing denim [Tools]
Get your tools ready before you start washing.
[ Tools for washing denim in the washing machine ]
- laundry net
- Neutral detergent (detergent for washing fashionable clothes) or detergent for jeans
Prepare a laundry net that is large enough to fit the denim folded in three.
When washing denim, prepare a neutral detergent (fashionable detergent).
Alkaline detergents are good at removing dirt, but they do a lot of damage to fabrics.
Consider denim as a delicate garment when washing.
Detergents specifically designed for jeans are also on sale, but we recommend the "detergent for washing fashionable clothes," which is easy to obtain and can be used for other types of clothing.
How to wash denim without fading [Hand wash/dry cycle]
The indications differ depending on the washing machine, but wash clothes gently with "hand wash" or "dry cycle" .
Color fading occurs when clothing rubs against each other.
Therefore, if you put your clothes in a laundry net so that they are not rubbed as much as possible and wash them in a short time, you can minimize the color fading.
How to wash denim without fading [do not use a dryer]
Dryers come in handy during the rainy season or when the weather is bad, but not when washing denim.
A dryer blows hot air onto the clothes to dry them, but when the hot air hits the denim, the fabric tends to shrink .
"I bought new denim, but it shrunk..." is sad, isn't it?
Therefore, when washing denim, do not use a dryer.
Wash your denim on a sunny day.
How to keep denim from fading [Hand washing]
Hand washing is the best way to keep denim from fading.
You may think that busy moms and dads don't have time to wash their hands!
However, hand washing denim is not as difficult as other clothes, so feel free to give it a try.
Preparing before washing denim [Tools]
First of all, I will introduce what to prepare for hand washing.
[ Tools for hand washing denim ]
- A bucket (if you don't have one, you can use the bathroom sink)
- Neutral detergent or detergent for fashionable clothes, or detergent for jeans
- laundry net
- Rubber gloves (in winter or when your hands are rough)
- timer
If you want to wash your denim by hand, it's best to have a bucket as big as possible, but you can also wash it on the sink, so make sure you have a place that's easy to wash.
After that, let's prepare the denim.
Preparing the denim is the same as the item above.
How to wash denim by hand without fading [Wash with water]
If you wash your denim by hand, always wash it with water .
Washing with hot water will make the color easier to fade.
Hands can get cold in winter, so prepare water with the specified amount of detergent and wash it right away.
How to wash denim by hand without fading [Soak and wash within 15 minutes]
Soak the denim in water with detergent for " about 10 to 15 minutes ".
Light stains can be removed by simply soaking and washing .
However, please keep the soaking and washing to "within 15 minutes" at the longest.
This is because if you leave the denim on for a long time, the color will fade more easily.
If the dirt is not removed by soaking and washing, press and wash .
At this time, if you prepare rubber gloves, you will not touch the cold water directly, so your hands will be too cold and painful! That's not what it means.
However, it is strictly prohibited to scrub it because the dirt is not removed.
Please note that scrubbing will remove the color along with the dirt.
How to wash denim by hand without fading [Push wash when rinsing]
After soaking and washing the denim, change to clean water and press wash to remove the detergent .
If you change the water 3 to 4 times and press wash, the detergent will also come off, so let's drop it thoroughly.
How to wash denim by hand without fading [Dehydration in the washing machine]
If you wash denim by hand, it is difficult to wring it out by hand.
So, use the dehydration function of the washing machine to remove the moisture .
During this dehydration, it is easy for the denim to lose its shape, so put it in a net.
Dehydration time should be as short as possible .
When you're done, take it out early and smooth out the wrinkles.
How to dry denim without fading
You may think, "It's fine to dry in a normal way," but there are some points about how to dry to prevent the color from fading.
How to dry denim without fading [Smooth out wrinkles and dry inside out]
After the dehydration is complete, smooth out the wrinkles and hang to dry .
If you put it in a laundry net and dehydrate it, it may have wrinkles from when it was folded.
In this case, if you stretch it by tapping it, the wrinkles will be removed.
And when drying, dry the denim inside out .
If you turn it inside out, the air will pass through the overlapping parts of the pocket, making it easier to dry.
How to dry denim without fading [Dry in the shade]
To prevent the denim from fading, dry it in a shaded, well -ventilated area out of direct sunlight .
Drying colored clothes in direct sunlight for long periods of time can cause color fading.
Some of you may have had the experience of hanging dark-colored clothes on a hanger rack by the window, and only the part that was exposed to the sun became lighter in color.
Denim is difficult to dry, so you may want to expose it to the sun to dry it, but if you do this over and over again, the color may fade little by little.
Always dry your denim in the shade.
How to dry denim without fading [Hang it upside down]
Denim is dried in a "tube" shape by pinching the ankles with clothespins to allow air to pass through the legs .
The waist part of the bottoms has buttons and zipper pockets, so it is very heavy and there are many overlapping parts.
Drying with the heavy side down will help smooth out any shrinkage and wrinkles in the fabric , so hang it with the waist down.
However, in the case of denim with a stretch function, the fabric stretches, so dry it with the waist part up .
Even if you dry it in the shade, it will dry properly if you let the wind pass through.
How to restore the color of denim
Here are some tips on how to care for denim without fading.
However, some denim may have already faded.
In that case, it is not possible to get the "completely original color", but there is a way to get as close as possible to the original color.
It is " wash with new denim ".
We introduced a method of washing that prevents color fading, but even with this washing method, some color fading may occur.
It can't be helped (>_<)
However, there is a way to restore the color of your denim by washing new and faded denim together and transferring the faded color from the new denim to the faded denim .
It is difficult to restore the original color of denim that has faded.
However, if you take advantage of the fact that the new denim has faded and dye it back to its original color, you can enjoy a different texture than before.
PETITMIG Recommended Denim
Denim is an essential item for casual fashion.
We will introduce PETITMIG's recommended denim that allows energetic children to move comfortably and actively.
PETITMIG new denim [pants T1]
Denim pants that can be worn in all seasons .
The roll-up type makes it easy to adjust the length.
The buttocks and thighs are loose and stretchy, so even active children can wear them without stress.
It comes in a wide variety of sizes (80, 90, 100, 110, and 120) and can be worn by both men and women, so it is recommended for families with many siblings.
When you wash and hang it to dry, please use clothespins to hold the waist part as it is stretchy.
PETITMIG Recommended Denim [Denim Salopette]
Denim salopette made of very soft fabric.
It can be matched with any top, so it is easy to coordinate.
Even for children whose tummy is exposed quickly with ordinary bottoms, the salopette type hides their tummy , so you can rest assured.
It's cute even when the hem is rolled up, so it brings out not only liveliness but also cuteness.
This is a size development of "90, 100, 110, 120".
Like pants T1, it can be worn by both men and women, so siblings of different genders can pass it on.
How to keep denim from fading | Summary
Should denim be washed this time? We also introduced PETITMIG's recommended denim, how to care for it and how to dry it so that the color doesn't fade.
Denim is a garment that is difficult to keep the same color as when you bought it.
In the same washing as usual, the cloth will rub against each other, so the color will fade.
So wash your denim in the gentlest way possible.
Direct sunlight is also one of the causes of color fading in clothing.
Avoid direct sunlight and let it dry in a shade with a breeze.
With just a little effort, you can prevent the color of your denim from fading, so please give it a try.
