A good pair of jeans can last for five or more years, with most people “retiring” their jeans only when they outgrow them. Denim is strong, durable and able to withstand the hands of time. But like most fabrics, even denim is susceptible to fading. Thankfully, though, there are ways to prevent your denim jeans from fading.
Wash them Inside Out
When washing your jeans, try to flip them inside out first. This is a simple yet effective way to preserve the original color of your jeans. The outside of your jeans will remain protected from the water and detergent, which should protect them from fading.
Use Color-Safe Detergent
There are special brands of laundry detergent designed to protect clothes from fading. While they generally cost more, using them should preserve the color of your jeans. Of course, you should also choose color-safe stain removing products as well. Much like the aforementioned detergent, they too will protect your jeans from fading.
Wash on Cold Water Setting
Some people assume that warm water is more effective at cleaning stains, but this isn’t necessarily true. Studies have shown that cold water is just as effective — and it costs less since it doesn’t require warming. Furthermore, washing your jeans on the cold water setting protects them from fading. Hot water breaks down the fabric and its dye, causing jeans and other garments to fade more quickly. So if you’re concerned about your jeans fading, wash them on the cold water setting only.
Add Salt
No, that’s not a typo. Washing your jeans with a cup or salt can preserve the color and protect them from fading. Salt has unique chemical properties that make it ideal for this purpose. Simply toss the salt into the washing machine, set the machine on the cold water setting, and let it run. When you are finished, it’s recommended that you wash your jeans once more with just plain water to flush away any excess salt. Your jeans should come out nice and clean, without any faded color.
Choose High-Quality Denim
Don’t assume that all jeans are made of equal quality. Even if two pairs of jeans “look” similar, they could have subtle nuances regarding the quality of materials and craftsmanship. And the lower quality pair will probably fade more quickly than the higher quality jeans. This is why it’s a good idea to spend a little extra and buy premium jeans, especially if you want to preserve their original color.
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References:
http://www.instyle.com/how-tos/how-to-keep-black-jeans-from-fading