An easy and sometimes necessary way to preserve your denim and other specialty fabrics is by dry cleaning. Using little to no water, the process uses chemical solvents to remove stains while preventing shrinkage and fading.

Not to mention, dry cleaning can save up to 3 gallons of water per jean!

Bonus points for going to eco-friendly dry cleaners that use carbon dioxide detergent systems and absolutely no heat.

Launder less
Your jeans only need to be washed once or twice a month (or every 10 wears) to stay looking fresh and lasting longer. This way, you save water, energy, and the longevity of your denim.

Easy detergent
Using a mild liquid detergent or even vinegar can help reduce fading. Keep a light hand when handling your denim and make sure to let the fabric softener sit this one out.

Hang dry
Aside from using a ton of energy, dryers can be really hard on your denim. Lay your jeans flat to dry or line dry them inside out to avoid soggy pockets and fading.

20-minute resize
If your jeans start to feel baggy or loose, the dryer can be your best friend. To shrink your jeans anywhere from a half to a full size down, dry on low heat for up to 20 minutes after washing, and then air dry until wearable.

Not only does cold water reduce your energy usage by 75-90%, it also outperforms warmer temperatures when washing darker colors, removing blood or sweat, reducing shrinkage, and minimizing wrinkles.
To take it further, you can wash your jeans inside out with a mild detergent using the delicate and small load settings to conserve water and avoid fading. 

*Remember! Leave out the fabric softener and always make sure to separate your denim from lighter garments.

If you’re crunched for time and must use the dryer for your jeans (we recommend air drying for all other occasions), make sure not to overload the machine. This way, your jeans have enough room to dry evenly and won’t take as much energy to finish. To keep your jeans in shape, stop the dryer halfway through the cycle and air dry to finish. If you’re planning on drying another set of clothes, put them into the dryer immediately after your first load is done to recycle the heat and lower your energy footprint.