I’m a fashion expert and here’s how often you should really wash your jeans – it’s way less than you think

DENIM is already proving to be a huge spring trend - even featuring in waistcoats, shoes and handbags in shops across the high street.

And whether you’ve bought a new pair of jeans or got your hands on a denim trench coat this season, there are simple ways to keep your buys feeling brand new for longer. 

1

Jessica Oldfield, Senior Womenswear Buyer at River Island, has revealed the six mistakes to avoid when it comes to denim maintenance.

And how often you should be washing your jeans may surprise you...

Wash out

Jessica says that one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to denim - especially jeans - is washing too frequently.

She said: "Denim is a natural fibre, meaning it is likely to begin breaking down if cleaned in the washing machine repeatedly. 

“Instead of washing your jeans or denim jacket as often as you would with other items, spot clean any stubborn stains and only wash every 10-15 wears.

"Reducing the number of times your denim gets washed will help keep the shape, helping it look brand new for longer.”

Fabric softener

If you always add in some fabric softener, you might want to stop…

Jessica explains: “When it comes to natural clothing materials, use any fabric softeners with caution.

"When it comes to a well-fitting pair of jeans, you’ll need them to keep their shape and stay slightly on the stiff side.

"If you always add a fabric conditioner, they are likely to soften up and begin to lose their shape - leaving you with ill-fitting jeans, not ideal.

"Next time you get a new pair of jeans, skip this step and you’ll notice they look like new for a much longer period of time.”

Zip it

Jessica has urged fashionistas to make sure buttons and zips are done up to protect the denim.

She advises: “One of the quickest and easiest ways to keep the denim in tip-top condition is to always remember to zip up any zips on your jeans and to do up any buttons.

"It can be tempting to skip this step but you then run the risk of tearing or snagging the denim.

"This is one of the harder things to undo so avoiding this common trip-up is key to long-lasting denim.”

Cycle settings

Denim is more delicate than other clothing pieces, so check you’re on the right setting.

Jessica says: “Denim might be a sturdy fabric, but when it comes to heat it is a delicate material.

"To avoid your denim from shrinking or fading, never wash at higher than 40 degrees - sometimes 30 degrees to be extra cautious with a new pair of jeans. 

“If this isn’t a high enough temperature to remove any stains or marks, spot treat this rather than giving them a second wash to protect the dye and shape."

Kitchen cupboard hack

Just bought a new pair of jeans and the colour has already faded? Jessica has a cheap hack to fix it.

She reveals: “If you’ve just bought yourself a new denim piece, one great trick for maintaining the colour - especially black or indigo - is to add salt and vinegar to cycle when washing for the first time.

"These ingredients can help set the denim dye, keeping the vibrancy and protecting against any bleeding.

"You don’t need to do this each time, just the first wash when they are most likely to release their dye.”

Spritz them up

Do your jeans start to smell not-so-fresh after a few wears? Here’s how to freshen without any unnecessary washing.

Jessica suggests: “As you need to keep washing your denim to a minimum, it’s key that you take care of your pieces in between washes to keep them looking fresh.

"One great way to do this is to dilute vinegar with some water and spritz this onto your jeans.

"Not only will this reduce any smells but will also work to neutralise bacteria, helping to keep your items hygienic when wearing them for longer.”