The general consensus among denim experts and clothing care sources is that you should wash your jeans sparingly to preserve their color, shape, and durability. A common recommendation is to wash jeans after about 10 wears , unless they become visibly dirty or start to smell
. More detailed guidelines include:
- Wash jeans every 3 to 10 wears , depending on activity level and odor. If you are very active or sweat a lot, washing every 3 wears is advised; for less active use, you can extend that to 10 wears or more
- Some denim enthusiasts, especially with raw denim, recommend washing even less frequently, such as every 2 to 6 months , to maintain natural fading and fit
- Spot cleaning minor stains between washes can help extend the time between full washes
- Washing jeans too often can cause color fading, fabric wear, and loss of the unique creases and fades that develop with wear
- Experts also suggest washing jeans inside out and air drying to preserve color and shape
In summary, a practical approach is to wash your jeans after about 10 wears or when they smell or look dirty, adjusting based on your activity level and personal comfort. This balances hygiene, longevity of the jeans, and environmental considerations
