By Jacquie Generra

Jeans are infamous nowadays. They come in different styles, shapes and colors. Everywhere you go, you’ll see people from different age groups wearing them. Jeans originated in Genoa (Genes), Italy as a lighter cotton textile.  Denim jeans on the other hand came from Nimes, France where the Andre family made the serge fabric, which they called serge de Nimes. The name denim came from this. At the start, the color of denim is blue with indigo dye to make denim jeans. But with the advent of sulfur dyes, came colored denims. Your favorite jeans have come a long, long way so here are some tips on how to care for them.

  1. Washing your favorite pair - It is best to wash your jeans in tepid water. This will help you in maintaining the quality of the jeans’ fabric. It is also recommended for jeans that are not too dirty to be soaked in tepid water and soap for 10-15 minutes before rinsing, without the use of washing machines.  This is so true in stretch jeans. Washing machines destroy the elasticity of the jeans’ material. Special attention must also be given to the edges of the jeans. It is almost always where the dirt stays even after washing. So be sure to soap and brush your jeans if you choose to use the washing machine.
  2. Removing stains - Grass stains can be eliminated by using alcohol. Pour alcohol on the stained area, let it sit for 5 minutes, rub it with your thumb and then wash with soap and water. You can also get rid of chewing gums stuck on your jeans by applying ice on the area. Once the gum is frozen you can easily pluck it out and launder as usual. Mud stains can be easily removed by soaking the jeans in lukewarm water and soap for 5-10 minutes. If there is still residue from the mud stain in it, scrub your jeans using your hands and rinse.
  3. Drying - Hang your jeans upside down when drying and position them at an angle towards the sun. This will preserve the color of your jeans. When using a dryer, fold your wet jeans as you would put them in a hanger, and then fold in a half again and place in a dryer. This will smooth out the fabric thus no ironing is required.

Generally, washing machines are not recommended for washing jeans but with the busy lifestyles of most people push button mechanisms are very welcome. Just remember to put it in mild to medium strength when using the machine. It is also important not to put any chemicals in the laundry machine while washing as they may destroy the color and the fabric of the jeans. To ensure longevity of your jeans, it is best to start by buying a quality pair. This means good fabric and comfortable style that transcend trends and fashion. The most critical part is that you must look good and be comfortable with it.