How do you know if jeans shrink after washing, and how to prevent it?

Jeans are a popular wardrobe item. They are practical, so you can wear them at any time of the year. However, sometimes these versatile pants can cause serious frustration.

This happens after washing, when improper care of the product provokes their shrinkage. To avoid such a situation, you need to know certain rules.

Let's take a closer look at whether jeans shrink after washing, especially if you wash them in very hot water (90 degrees).

How to determine in advance whether your pants will fit?

It is impossible to say 100% that pants will shrink after washing. However, the risks increase in the following cases:

1. The fabric contains a large percentage of cotton. Products containing synthetic fibers are less likely to shrink.
2. Suitable for washing at high temperatures.
3. After washing, it is planned to subject the pants to an automatic spin cycle.
4. Stretch jeans do not shrink. These things stretch great.

The more intensive processing the jeans undergo, the more likely they are to shrink. Read about the rules for washing jeans here.

Steaming with an iron

Option for stretching stretch pants on the calves. Instructions:

1. Place the item on the ironing board and cover with gauze.
2. Using an iron with a steamer, iron the areas that need to be expanded for 10–15 minutes.
3. Periodically pull the fabric to the sides with your hands.
4. Put your pants on while they are still damp.
5. Walk until the matter cools down.
6. Air dry.

The method will help increase the width of the treated areas to 4 cm. Disadvantages:

• difficult to cope on your own;
• you can ruin the thing;
• risk of burns.

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Tips to avoid shrinkage

To prevent pants from becoming 1-2 sizes smaller after washing, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Wash the item as little as possible. Frequent contact with water causes fabric fibers to shrink.
2. Avoid temperature changes. You should not rinse your pants first in hot and then in cold water. It should always remain warm.
3. Do not wash the product in boiling water. The higher the degree, the stronger the shrinkage of the fabric.
4. Do not wring or twist the item after hand washing. When loading the product into the drum of the washing machine, the spin cycle must be turned off.
5. Do not dry jeans folded. They should be straightened.
6. Do not place the product near heat sources, for example, near a radiator.
7. Do not resort to express drying methods.
8. Use fabric softener when washing. It makes the fibers of the fabric soft and elastic, so they do not shrink or shrink.

It will not be possible to completely avoid shrinkage of jeans, since any wetting and subsequent drying of the fabric leads to compression of the fibers.
However, if all care rules are followed, jeans will wear out quickly and shrinkage will be negligible.

Stretch jeans that have shrunk after washing

If the method suggested above does not help, you will have to move on to more radical methods. Denim fabric is quite elastic and resistant to mechanical damage, so with some effort, you can stretch the product to the desired size.

1. If shrunken jeans are made from natural materials with very little synthetic added, you can stretch them directly on the body. To do this, put on jeans, wet all problem areas (waistband, lower legs) and move actively. Please note that your movements must have a large amplitude and, at the same time, be quite smooth, otherwise you may tear the product. For best results, do not remove jeans until completely dry.
2. You can also iron the product thoroughly and then put it on. A hot iron will soften the stiff fabric, making it easier to stretch.
3. You don’t have to put on wet jeans, but simply stretch them with smooth movements, holding the waistband with both hands (if the product is tight at the waist) or the area around the knees and ankles (if the legs are too short). Don't forget to pull the seams too, otherwise the fabric may ripple. Many housewives pre-coat the seams with special means for stretching shoes.
4. A steam generator can also help you combat shrinkage: hot steam will soften the fabric and make it more elastic.
5. If the jeans you purchased are very tight and of high quality, you can try using a special waist expander. Freshly washed, damp jeans are buttoned, after which the device is installed in them. It needs to be adjusted to the desired width and only then dry the product. Please note that such an expander can simply tear low-quality jeans.

What if I wash them in hot water (90 degrees)?

After washing in hot water, jeans will definitely shrink. The higher its temperature, the greater the degree of shrinkage:

• washing at 50-60 degrees shrinks by 0.5-1 size;
• washing at 60-70 degrees reduces jeans by 1-1.5 sizes;
• washing at temperatures of 80 degrees and above leads to shrinkage by 2 sizes;
• The contraction of fabric fibers is enhanced by alternating treatment with hot and cold water.

The values ​​given are average values. The exact numbers depend on the composition of the material, the characteristics of washing and drying the product.

If your jeans have become stretched during wear, this can be corrected by boiling.
Do it as follows:

1. Hot water is poured into an enamel basin and brought to a boil.
2. Jeans are soaked in boiling water.
3. If they float, they are immersed back in using wooden tongs.
4. After 5 minutes, turn off the water and leave to cool. To make this process happen as slowly as possible, the basin is covered with a lid.
5. When the water has cooled, the pants are taken out and sent to dry.

Boiling colored or black jeans will cause pigment loss. Therefore, only white products can be subjected to this treatment.

Drying correctly

Jeans can shrink even after regular washing if you dry them properly. The main thing is to reduce drying time. If the item dries for a long time, the fibers of the fabric have time to straighten out. Do this:

• place the washed clothes near a heat source: radiators, stoves, or simply lay them out on the street so that the sun's rays fall on them;
• place terry cloth under the product, which absorbs moisture well;
• use an automatic dryer.

To prevent the item from fading from the sun, dry it by turning it inside out. If your pants dry on fabric, take one that you don’t mind, because jeans can fade. When drying on a radiator, it is also recommended to place a thin cloth so that there are no dirty yellow stains left on the product. To reduce only the width of the trousers, hang them on clothespins to dry. Their own gravity will not allow them to become shorter.

How to wash so they don't shrink?

To prevent jeans from shrinking during washing, you need to care for them properly. Preference should be given to the manual cleaning method.

The following recommendations must be followed:

• wash pants in cool water, its temperature should not exceed 30 degrees;
• When removing dirt, do not rub or crush the product;
• wash jeans straightened, soaking them in the bathtub;
• Do not wring out the fabric, let it dry naturally.

These simple rules will help you avoid fabric shrinkage. If after washing the item becomes smaller, there is no need to despair.

Most often, after 2-3 hours of active wear, the jeans stretch and take their previous shape. Read about other ways to return jeans to their previous size here.

If the fabric becomes rough after contact with water, you can correct the situation using a steamer. They iron the item, paying special attention to the seams, pockets and waistband. After cooling, the jeans will become softer and more comfortable to wear.

Special cases

Jeans are different jeans. Products vary in density and origin of fabric. Therefore, the above shrinkage methods are not suitable for everyone. Let's look at the main types of fabric from which denim clothing is made.

Denim

This is a classic denim fabric woven from two threads. In products made from this material, the backside is always white. The raw material is cotton from Mexico, Zimbabwe or Barbados.

Denim can be placed in the car. However, this material does not shrink well and quickly takes the shape of the body.

Jeans

Cotton fabric of Indian or Asian origin. Quite a dense material that is used in the production of jackets, men's suits, and jeans. Shrinkage depends on the origin and quality of the material.

Jeans shrink a little after washing, but eventually return to their original size.

Asian jeans shrink more easily. After washing, the fabric becomes rough and shrinks slightly. However, after a short time it returns to its original size.

Indian denim is thinner and fluffier. Fits well in all directions.

Stretch

Loose-fitting fabric made from natural fibers with a mixture of synthetic fabrics in the form of elastane or lycra. This material fits perfectly, stretches easily and is great for sewing jeans.

The compression section is a challenge. This material cannot be boiled or scalded with boiling water because it is synthetic. Otherwise, the properties of elastic fabrics are reduced. If your old trousers are very stretched, it is better to buy a new model, as the fabric is worn out and has lost its elasticity.

To avoid shrinkage of the elastic material, immediately after purchasing jeans, choose a size smaller.

Summer jeans

This fabric is most often used in the production of denim shorts and summer trousers. The fabric is not actually denim. Light cotton fabric is dyed to match denim.

Summer jeans can be squeezed with boiling water, but there is a high probability of ruining the outfit.

The material stretches when used, washes quickly and is mainly designed for one season. You can shrink the fabric with boiling water, but it is unlikely that the clothing will stretch to the desired shape a second time. High probability of irreversibly damaging things.

It is quite possible to shrink jeans at home. It is enough to wash at 90 degrees at high speed or soak the item in boiling water. Before the procedure, read the label on the clothing to ensure the method you choose.

How to shrink the product?

To make the product smaller by 1-2 sizes, it must be dried properly . The pants are laid out on a flat surface, covered with a terry towel.

You need to smooth them out with your hands, giving them the correct shape. Being in a horizontal position, the fibers will not shrink during the drying process.

Methods for shrinking denim:

1. 
   To ensure that denim shrinks, it is recommended to wash the item in an automatic washing machine. Such intensive processing will lead to compression of the fibers and their reduction by 1-2 sizes.

2. Washing in boiling water. The higher the water temperature, the greater the shrinkage. If necessary, the pants can be boiled. Adding a soap solution enhances the effect.
3. Wash and spin at high speeds. To do this, use the “intensive wash” program. The speed must be at least 800 drum rotations per minute.
4. Ironing the product. The higher the exposure temperature, the more significant the shrinkage of the fabric. To enhance the effect, you can wet your pants with hot water with fabric softener diluted in it in a 3:1 ratio.

This article will tell you how to shrink stretched jeans.

Soaking stretch jeans

This method will help stretch your pants around your waist, hips, and calves. Provides fabric softening. Step-by-step instruction:

1. Dissolve 3 tbsp in 5 liters of water at room temperature. l. ammonia, 1 tbsp. l. turpentine and vodka.
2. Soak the item for 40 minutes.
3. Take out the stretch pants, unscrew them, and hang them to dry.

The advantages of the method are simplicity and efficiency. Flaws:

• may not help;
• will have to be repeated periodically.

The Best Brands for Raw Denim

Hey, no one said it would be easy. As you've no doubt realized, wearing raw denim properly requires patience, dedication and a surprising amount of know-how. But if you're ready to go straight to fade, here are some top brands to keep on your radar.

1. APC

Parisian style is hardly known for its ruggedness or masculinity—two qualities so often attributed to raw denim jeans—which is why French brand APC makes some of the best entry-level jeans.

The New Petit Standard has become nothing less than a wardrobe staple for style-conscious guys, and is arguably the ultimate slim-fit jean option. Their collections feature discreet style, next-level quality and unsurpassed styles.

1. Blackhorse Lane Ateliers

The UK is famous for many things, but high-end raw denim has never been one of them. At least until Blackhorse Lane Ateliers opened in East London.

This Walthamstow establishment is only a few years old, but its team of skilled craftsmen boast a wealth of experience and a deep passion for their craft. Blackhorse Lane even hosts workshops where participants make their own jeans. And if you consider that raw denim is all about individuality, you can’t imagine a more personalized approach.

1. Edwin

Japanese fashion's long obsession with denim began in the early 1950s. But the main manufacturer in Nippon was already hard at work on his looms long before this.

Today, Japan is a country renowned for producing some of the best jeans you can buy, and the OG Edwin label has played a big role in that. If you're looking for the finest Japanese textiles complemented by a rich heritage, this is the place to go.

1. Evisu

The company may be best known for the giant painted seagull logo that adorns many of its jeans, but Japanese brand Evisu also makes stunning raw denim.

The Osaka-based company has been in business since 1991 and during this time has managed to establish itself as a brand approved by the hip-hop community. If bold logos and colorful details are your thing, then the Evisus jeans will be right up your alley.

1. Iron Heart

A brand created by bikers for bikers. Iron Heart is a biker brand through and through, and it has the same reputation in its native Japan. Here in the West, however, his rough, raw, selvedge fabric has found a home in the luxury denim market.

The brand is known for its very heavy jeans, so be prepared for a painful adjustment process before you decide to buy.

1. Levi's

It's impossible to make a list of denim brands without mentioning the company that started it all, back when the word "jeans" didn't exist and they were simply called "belted overalls" (a catchy phrase).

The Levi's 501 and 511 are true men's fashion classics, and both are available in Levi's raw denim, which . If you like your clothes to have their own story, you won't find better than these models.

1. Naked and Famous

Poking fun at a celebrity-obsessed culture and "glamor brands" that price their jeans based on celebrity recognition rather than quality, Naked and Famous is a brand that takes its craft very seriously.

You won't find flashy advertising campaigns or gimmicks here, but you will find high-quality denim, top-notch construction, and jeans made by people who are passionate about what they do.

1. Nudie jeans

Swedish denim brand Nudie was founded in Gothenburg by Maria Eriksson, who loved jeans because “the more you wear them and mend them, the more character they have.” This philosophy fits with the whole idea of ​​raw denim, so naturally Nudie makes them with a bang.

Note the slim fit, signature branding on the back pocket, and prices that won't have you trying to negotiate your next phone payment using the assortment of beans and fluff in the pockets.

1. Rag & Bone

While Rag & Bone isn't a denim-only brand, the New York-born company has built a reputation among footwear lovers for the quality and craftsmanship of its jeans.

No wonder people love them. Rag & Bone jeans are clean, great fit, well cut and woven from high quality materials. They may not be heavier than a small child, but this brand's skinny jeans look great and last a long time.

1. Samurai

Founded in 1998, Japanese brand Samurai produces some of the most coveted raw jeans on the market. There are only a few stores in the world, and their products are quite difficult to get hold of, making them even more attractive to denim lovers who crave a custom fade.

The hemline on each Samurais jeans features a single thread of silver running through it, imitating the sheen of a samurai sword's blade. And if this isn't the coolest thing you've ever heard, then we don't know what else to surprise you with.

1. Tellason

These days, Japan gets the credit for all things raw denim, but the Americans aren't really that bad either.

Tellason jeans are made in San Francisco using the finest Cone Mills denim from North Carolina. Even the leather patch on the waistband is made by Tanner Goods in Oregon. If ever there was an all-American jean, this might be it.

Method three

The third and important method is drying after washing, which will also make things smaller. However, they should also be dried correctly. Most owners of fashion items know that they can stretch during drying. How much they stretch depends on the following factors:

• how to dry a thing, that is, its position during drying;
• how much time is allocated for drying;
• the material from which jeans are made.

The condition of things depends on how correctly the drying is performed. There are rules, the implementation of which guarantees the desired effect after washing. You can wash them, making the denim trousers smaller in size, and after drying, again look for a way to make stretch jeans fit.

What is raw denim?

When you go shopping for new jeans, the ones you pick up from the rack have had more cosmetic procedures than an aging Russian pop star. They have been dyed, washed, warped, shrunk, stretched and so on, while raw denim does not undergo any of the above except the dyeing process. The fabric is taken straight from the loom (the machine that is used to spin), they sew it into something that looks like the silhouette of legs or a jacket, and sell it to you.

So why are you paying several times more for something that basically required less work? The answer is that it's not entirely true. Raw denim jeans are often made in small batches, handmade by skilled craftsmen, in countries with high labor costs such as Japan and America. In addition, they are made from premium materials that can withstand wear and tear and are far superior in quality to their mass market counterparts.