How to care for your jeans: the complete guide

At Ace Denim Paris, we take the time to design jeans that last for years, not seasons. Materials selected for their durability, cuts designed to stand the test of time. A quality pair of jeans asks for a little care in return. Unlike most garments, denim is a living fabric. The more you wear it, the more it takes your shape, your silhouette, your habits. The wear marks at the knees, the fading along the thighs, the contrasts at the folds: that is patina. And that is precisely what gives a quality jean its value. You just need to know how to look after it.

Why wash as little as possible?

It is the universal advice of the denim world, and there is a simple reason: washing damages the fibres. The warp thread of a jean is dyed with indigo only on the surface, the core of the thread stays white. Each machine wash erodes this layer of pigment and accelerates fading in an artificial and uniform way. A well-worn jean develops a natural patina: the folds deepen, the friction zones fade gradually, the contrasts build up.

The rule: wash every 9 to 13 wears, not before. Between washes, a damp cloth is enough for small stains.

The first wash

For a new pair of jeans, wait at least 5 to 10 wears before the first wash. This gives the fabric time to take your shape.

To fix the indigo and prevent bleeding: soak your jeans for 30 minutes in a basin of cold water with a handful of coarse salt and a glass of white vinegar. Rinse with cold water and leave to dry in the open air. For this first machine wash, wash your jeans alone, especially raw denim: excess indigo can stain other garments.

How to machine wash your jeans

Turn the jeans inside out, close the zip, do not overload the machine. Temperature: 30°C maximum, delicate cycle. A small amount of liquid detergent, no bleaching agents. No fabric softener: it attacks the elastane fibres and makes the fabric dull over time.

Adapting care to your fabric

Not all jeans are washed the same way.

Cotton / elastane: 30°C, delicate cycle. No tumble dryer: heat degrades the elastane and the jean loses its elasticity with each wash.

Linen blend (AD15): opt for hand washing in cold water, or a very gentle 30°C cycle. Dry flat on a towel, not hanging. Light creasing is natural with linen, it is part of its charm.

Selvedge Kurabo: our Japanese denim woven on the selvage should be washed as little as possible. The patina forms only through wearing. Hand wash in cold water if possible, very gentle 30°C machine wash otherwise. Never wring: roll gently in a towel to remove excess water.

Removing a stain without washing the whole jean

Dampen the area with cold water. Apply Marseille soap in circular movements, from the edge towards the centre. Blot with a clean cloth, do not scrub. Rinse by blotting and leave to dry. For a grease stain, a little neat washing-up liquid applied directly before rinsing works very well.

Drying and storage

The tumble dryer is the enemy of denim. Heat shrinks the fabric and can permanently distort the cut. Always dry in the open air, in the shade. Direct sunlight fades indigo unevenly. Hang the jean by the waistband, inside out. For linen, dry flat on a towel.

Store your jeans hanging on a hanger, inside out. Avoid folding them in the same place for long periods: permanent creases will eventually mark the denim.

FAQ

How do you wash a new pair of jeans?

Wait 5 to 7 wears. For raw denim, soak for 30 minutes in cold water with coarse salt and white vinegar to fix the indigo. Machine wash alone at 30°C, inside out.

Can you wash jeans at 40°C?

No. Heat shrinks denim and accelerates fibre wear. 30°C maximum, delicate cycle, for all types of denim.

How do you remove a grease stain from jeans?

Apply neat washing-up liquid directly onto the dry stain, leave for 5 minutes, blot with a damp cloth, rinse with cold water. No need to wash the whole jean.

How do you remove a red wine stain from jeans?

Act fast: blot to absorb without rubbing. Apply damp Marseille soap in circular movements from the edge towards the centre, rinse with cold water by blotting. If the stain is dry, dampen first before applying the soap.

My black jeans are losing their colour, what should I do?

Use a detergent designed for dark colours, always wash in cold water with dark garments, and turn the jeans inside out before each wash.

Can you put jeans in the tumble dryer?

No. Heat degrades the fibres, shrinks the fabric and can distort the cut, particularly on jeans with elastane. Always dry in the open air, in the shade, hung by the waistband.