When I was a kid, my mom wouldn't let me wear any new clothes until she did pre-wear maintenance on them. She soaked them in a pan of water with a cup of white vinegar added, to "set" the dye. Then she rinsed them in clean water and hung them dry. After that, they were washed normally. She claimed this made them more resistant to fading.
I'm lazy, I wash mine in the machine, I wash them inside out, and just use a genital bio-friendly detergent. Nothing too crazy. If it's the rainy season here I toss them in the dryer, otherwise and hour or so in the BKK sun and they are crispy.
Just don't machine wash raw denim when they're new. Once they're broken in, feel free to wash them any way you want! I feel that you get nicer fades when you wash them regularly. Also, they smell a lot better
Mine always go in the washing machine alone, inside out, and use a scent and dyr free detergent (which you should use for everything) then hang dry. But maybe my machine is weird for not doing this to them. But I have learned to take care of clothing better like hanging more to avoid the wear of drying and getting much better at ironing and steaming shirts etc too.
I completely agree, when I have to a wash my jeans I will wash they in a machine with as gentle of a detergent as possible and no softener. Most cases I will just spot clean them, but after some real use you have to wash them thoroughly.
Inside out is an important point. I haven't had any issues with my raw denim so far. I've seen/heard of people not turning them inside out and the pictures I saw look very similar to what's seen in the video. One person that's really into denim, here on YT, mentions that it specifically happens because of not turning the jeans inside out. Could be certain washing machines or a combination of the two, not sure.
I wash my current Momotaro jeans in the washing machine and hang dry. I know they sell special detergent, which I don't use, but I look at them like a tool. They aren't formalwear and I want to wear them in at least somewhat of the spirit of the first users, and that's hard (wearing, not difficult).
The Lehman's Hand Washer and Laundry Wringer will extend the life of all your clothing, high-end or not. There is a disconnect where people fail to realize that fuzz in the dryer lint screen is their clothing disintegrating.
I washed mine every 3 months. Wash them inside out with a gentle detergent on a gentle cycle. Spin them on the lowest setting and hang them dry. They are just jeans. Don’t sweat over them...
It's okay to do the first wash in a washing machine as long as you turn it inside out, buttoned and zipped. Hang them out to air dry with the right side out. Been doing this to all my raw jeans since my first rigid selvedge 501s in 1979, and just did it this morning with a pair of selvedge Uniqlo.
Hey Carl. Thanks for your videos. Great content. Personally, I like the marbling effect on these. Just enjoy them as they are. I have lots of denim (50+ pair) and every pair is different. My washing routine is usually in a bucket of very warm water with Persil detergent . Rinse well with cold. HAng dry. IF they're new I try to delay washing for 6 months or so then wash every couple of months. Washing them is necessary if you want good fades and if you want the fabric to last. Dirt and oil will eventually break down the cotton fibres. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way. Just do what works for you. Cheers.
hi i am denim technician in korea, what i do is to make denim pants and sampling. when you wash raw denim (cotton100%) plz turn it inside out with canton on. otherwise there is line on the surface of fabric. and you put detergent first and wait it is melting in the water after then you put your jean. otherwise, it make some bad fade out. plus, you can wash raw denim but it is shrinkaged vertically in the case of 100% denim pants. it is shrinkaged horionally in the case of span denim pants. so when you buy the raw denim pants, plz buy one inch or two inch bigger. wash and shrinkage it and wear it. it looks better. and wash shortly if you can.
Did you turn the jeans inside out BEFORE putting them in the washing machine? Not turning them inside out is what causes that crazy weird streaking to happen. You can totally wash Raw Selvedge denim in the washing machine if you turn it inside out first, and preferably take it out either right before the spin cycle or after only a minute or two of it going through the spin cycle. Another RU-vidr (Rope Dye) did a vid showing how you can safely use the washing machine. Hope this helps!!
I'm probably going to follow whatever method my dad used on his 30-year old denim jacket, which has now changed its owner (Its mine now.) Because that jacket has aged really well! My regular jeans will absolutely receive the same treatment of time, usage and washing.
I've got a pair of Naked & Famous (Kevlar) that I bought used, and they just go in the machine. Always inside-out on tap cold on delicates, always with a scent-free/softener-free detergent, and then I hang them to dry. Never had any issues. Then again I wash everything that way.
Hey Carl! I had to laugh at my own ignorance here regarding raw denim. Thanks for another great video! My point is to share with you one of my favorite line of pants and fabric from a super cool clothing company that was based in my hometown - Kuhl. The Patina Dye fabric: fades very similarly to your raw denim, but its designed to do just that. The more you wash the garment, the more dramatic the abstract fading, until eventually it has a badass Patina! I own their entire line of clothing (seriously...one of everything) and Kuhl uses some really awesome technology and designs to incorporate mobility and sturdy materials, both natural and synthetic. They do clothes in a Kuhl way (get it?). So it might not be cool to get that faded-craziness on your high-end raw denim but it does look pretty dang cool for work pants, or casual pants that I wear in the field. Maybe you can gain something from that? Keep up the good work, I really love your videos, man!! -Brett
Interesting video. I think the odd fades and crease line fades were due to the denim rubbing against the machine. Turning them inside out will minimize this. Although I never really understand the argument that hand washing a pair of jeans is so time consuming. It is not like you wash them very often nor do you have to stand there while they soak and dry. And typically, prewashed and rinsed jeans have already had the excess indigo rinsed out so they tend to not fade oddly in the washer.
Theres some guy who did a video on this, he said washing them without turning them inside out is what causes it because it bunches up and the jutting edges rub (or something like that). I think he made the same mistake lol. I believe his username is rope dye if you wanna check out his stuff, hes big into denim
Carl, here's a thought. If you don't put them back into your rotation, ya could always make them into a pair of "Daisy Dukes". Meeh, perhaps not.......
This is interesting. I am a 10 year denim head, and 4 years ago I switched to being a machine wash guy. I use woolite dark, and put them inside out and toss them in. Then hang dry. I've done, heavyweight Samurai's, custom Viapiana, Imogene and Willie sulfur died black jeans and even a rogue territory shirt. None of my pairs have done that! I'm sorry for your loss! I wonder if its the Machine? I think the owner of Self Edge even tosses his into the machine. (dont quote me on that, but I swear I read that somewhere). As always, great video!
Many mass produced jeans with certain colors for example black you have to turn the jeans inside out and wash in 30 degrees celsius to not lose the color and keep its longevity.
The only part of maintenance I enjoy is maintaining my boots for the same reasons you stated. The only reason I haven't gotten into raw denim is the maintenance, the only raw denim thing I'd get is a raw denim jacket cause those won't require much maintenance like jeans would. Maybe one day I'll get into raw denim jeans.
The other issue with machine washing selvedge is you wash out all the stiff starchiness. That means when you wear again the fabric doesn’t get caught up in the fade pattern areas and just falls into a dull blurred fade without the sharpness you normally get with selvedge.
+1 for machine use. Brave star jeans. Gentle cycle, cold water, inside out, Brave star soap, REMOVE before spin cycle. Roll up in a towel to soak up excess water, then hang dry. 2 years old, look and feel great!
My solution to this is, get stretch denim, no more worries about raw denim long process of washing and drying. I get my jean's and most other clothes from American Eagle, love it, so comfy and everything, simply perfect.
This is interesting. When I was first getting into this denim craze I discovered one of my mall brand jeans (UK) was actually Selvedge denim. But I had already chucked these jeans in the wash multiple times, and the fading/ colour has not suffered that much, they still actually look really good. Maybe they're made to be machine washable. Also your jeans look more expensive and perhaps they're not supposed to be machine washed with that amount of indigo
In my old apartment, we had a top loader washer, I would soak my raw denim in that by just leaving the lid up so it would just fill up with water but wouldn't progress; did a decent job in my opinion.
idk, man. I have a pair of Gustin 16.5oz cone mills denim jeans that I threw in the washing machine with a dab of detergent on delicate, then hung to dry. I didn't notice any fading or "acid wash" look at all. Honestly this issue is more likely a result of the detergent you used. I used Tide last time, but I need to invest in some gentle detergent.
I have too much wool to hand wash, so I toss my jeans in the wash. However my jeans don't cost $200 but I do wash them less often than my work pants (I get 2 or 3 wearing from work pants) and I wash jeans inside out.
I love my KIMES Raw Dillon's! My Beautiful Wifey is the laundry Queen!! She washed them for the first time inside out and on a delicate wash and hung them dry, they turn out Outstanding every time! Then it's over to the dry cleaner for the center crease and heavy starch! That's my way of breaking in new "Raw" denim. BTW, you can't beat a pair of Wrangler George Strait 47MGSDA for about 55 bones at Tractor Supply vs. 100 bucks for the KIMES.
I have a pair of brave star jeans as well and I did wash them in the machine and got nothing like what you got. I think it's just a good dye process. so unfortunately those Taylor stitched jeans they have had a poor dying process.
My general selvege care is a cold soak when they are brand new. Then machine wash inside out gentle cycle no spin and hang dry. Maybe once a year, or when they really get grungy. I’ve done it with everything from Iron Heart to Brave Star and never ran into an issue. If I had to hazard a guess I would say it was the spin cycle that did you in.
Luckily I just wear cheap denims, so I m good just throwing them into washing machine May be one day when I get a quality raw denim I will hand wash it
I'm wondering, did you turn them inside out prior to machine washing? Care are Dee said that not turning them inside out will result in the issue that you had, and that washing them in the machine turning them inside out will actually result in a less high contrast fade in a more even fade.
Could you please, please, please do a review on the latest Thursday leather racer jacket? Would greatly appreciate a video like that! - Thanks from LA “Go Dodgers!”
Have you ever done any reviews on winter boots? I am working for a tree care company in WY and I am trying to find good winter boots I can tuck my pants into.
I own a Brave Star selvedge jacket (14 oz cone denim) that was long in the sleeves and reluctantly tossed them in the washer. It shrunk to the perfect fit, but I did end up with a few funky lines. It wasn’t as bad as these tho
Ouch! Those jeans might have been particularly reactive since so much of the material is organic. I wonder if that was that their first wash ever or if doing an initial soak and dry when they where brand new woulda helped 🤔
Might sound crazy, but try this: take some extra fine sand paper (like 400-grit) and just sand the denim by hand over the weird fades. 400-grit is too fine to actually remove any fabric, but it's abrasive enough to remove some indigo, though it'll take some repetitive pressure unless you go with a coarser grit. Believe me, the denim won't pile off like how wool does with pumice-you'll only see indigo coming off on the sandpaper. The visual results are fairly subtle: I abraded my raw 3sixteens, and only I can really appreciate the difference-mostly because they're incredibly soft now, but I was able to smooth out the fades in the high-wear regions.
You could always re-dye them. I have been afraid to wash mine in the washer and have not done a soak yet . They aren't dirty but they are getting a bit wrinkly. Do you have any advice on keeping them looking fresh ?
So question , if I put a pair of thrifted rogue territory jeans ( well I gusss in a way maybe the brand doesn’t matter anywho) in the washing machine by themselves and take them out before the spin cycle & then hand dry on a line or coat hanger would they be fine ??
Personally, I enjoy hand washing my raw denim and conditioning my boots. There is something relaxing and gratifying about pouring a good whiskey and taking care of the products that you spent a lot of money on and want to preserve for years to come.
I've been meaning to ask, if i do wash it, i'll lose some colour correct? Would I be able to wash them and maintain the colour with adding vinegar? Also, how would I go about this without ruining say fleece or sherpa ?
You will lose some indigo no matter what. It's just a consequence of washing. If the sherpa is synthetic it can be washed just like anything else. If its natural then it's probably dry clean only.
Hmm maybe. Well it looks to me that modern "jeans" are garbage. In the 60s, 70s, 80s, a pair of Levi 505s washed fine. Inside out or not. Lasted until I out grew them or ripped em to shreds playing.
Wear them six months and then hand wash them is the best bet if they are not heavily stained. Other times I've had them dry cleaned and I've been mostly happy with the results.
They're jeans. Who cares what they look like? Wash them ten times and you won't know the difference. Although I'm not the guy that would ever pay $100, or a lot more, for a pair of jeans. Hell, I won't pay $40 for a pair of jeans, but I just paid $509 for a pair of bison-leather boots with wedge soles... ;-) Different strokes, as they say.
Yeah, gonna disagree here. Have had quite a few pairs of raw denim jeans and washed them (inside out) regularly with no weird fade issues. Hell, one pair was a contest pair from Blue in Green (full count), and they WON the contest 🤷🏽♂️
