How to Wash Denim & Jeans
Laundry symbols for denim guide: a complete guide to washing denim and jeans—from how often to wash and cold vs warm water to inside-out washing, dryer vs air dry, and fading prevention. Follow these practices to keep your jeans looking great and lasting longer.
Laundry symbols for denim: symbols you’ll see on denim labels
Denim and jeans labels often show wash 30, do not bleach, tumble dry low, and iron low. These laundry symbols for denim help you preserve colour and avoid shrinking.
How often to wash jeans
Wash jeans every 5–10 wears, or when they are visibly soiled or smelly. Over-washing causes fading, wear, and loss of shape. Raw and selvedge denim benefits from washing even less frequently—some wearers wait months for the first wash to develop natural fades. Spot-clean small stains between washes. Air jeans between wears to refresh them without washing.
Cold vs warm wash for denim
Cold water (30°C) is best for denim. It preserves indigo, reduces fading, and minimises shrinking. When your care label shows a wash cold symbol, use the cold or 30°C setting. Warm water (40°C) can be used for heavily soiled jeans when the label allows, but it will speed up fading. Avoid hot water—it causes excess shrinking and rapid colour loss.
Inside-out washing
Always turn jeans inside out before washing. This protects the outer surface from abrasion, reduces friction fade (whiskers, honeycombs), and helps preserve pockets and hardware. Zip flies and button waistbands to prevent snagging. Wash with similar colours—darks with darks—to avoid dye transfer.
Dryer vs air dry for jeans
Air dry is ideal—it preserves colour and shape and uses no energy. Hang jeans by the waistband or lay them flat. If you use a dryer, use the tumble dry low symbol—low heat only. High heat shrinks denim and accelerates fading. Remove jeans as soon as they’re dry to avoid over-drying and stiffness. When the label shows do not tumble dry, hang or lay flat instead.
Fading prevention
To slow fading: wash in cold water, turn inside out, wash less often, and avoid bleach. When the label shows a do not bleach symbol, never use chlorine bleach—it strips indigo quickly. Use a mild detergent; skip optical brighteners and heavy enzymes. Line dry in the shade to avoid sun bleaching. Some fading is natural and desired; these tips help control the rate and keep jeans looking good longer.
Related symbols on denim labels
Denim care labels often use a small set of symbols. The ones you’ll see most are:
Machine wash at maximum 30°C (86°F) - cold wash
Do not use any type of bleach
Tumble dry on low heat setting only (one dot)
Iron at low temperature only - up to 110°C (230°F)
Denim often shows wash cold (30°C), do not bleach, tumble dry low, and iron low. Follow the full symbol sequence for complete care instructions.
Quick summary: washing denim
- • Wash every 5–10 wears; spot-clean between washes when possible.
- • Use cold water (30°C) and turn jeans inside out.
- • Air dry preferred; if using a dryer, use low heat only.
- • Avoid bleach and harsh detergents to prevent fading.
- • Follow the care label (wash cold, do not bleach, tumble dry low, iron low).
Decode any care label
Look up wash, dry, bleach, and iron symbols by category or use the full chart.