Shall I Soak My Selvedge Denim?

In this episode of the Denimhunters Podcast, Derek discusses the decision to soak raw denim jeans before wearing them. Some denim fans opt to keep their denim raw for unique and localized fades, but this comes at the expense of the fabric. Soaking is a crucial first step when it comes to new selvedge denim jeans. To avoid shrinkage, wear your jeans for at least a full week, preferably two to three weeks before the first soak or wash. Air dry them until damp, then put them on and let them dry on.

To soak raw denim, fill a tub with water (cold water for sanforized, hot for unsanforized). Turn your jeans inside out and fully submerge them in the water. If parts of your denim float, sink them with cans or objects. Soaking allows for great natural fades all over, and continued soaking when they are dirty ensures that your precious selvedge investment remains fighting fit.

A warm soak of all denim before wearing gets rid of the starch and softens up the denim. If you have hardly faded jeans and accidentally got them dirtied, soaking is a better method. Turn jeans inside out and hot soak in water around 40 degrees Celsius.

The Denimhunters Podcast provides three different approaches to soak raw denim, including cold water first to prevent excessive shrinkage. If the garment floats, sink it with cans or objects. Do not soak or wash your jeans before wearing them. Wear your jeans for at least a full week, preferably two to three weeks before the first soak or wash. If you never wash or soak or treat your denim to stabilize the dye, the denim will always leach dye into everything when you sweat.

How to properly wash selvedge denim?

To preserve the quality of your jeans, it is imperative that you turn them inside out prior to washing and drying. It is recommended that a liquid detergent be used and that the washing cycle be set to cool or cold, with a maximum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Once the jeans have been washed and dried, they should be pulled back into shape. They should then be allowed to dry naturally, inside out, and ironed if necessary. It is recommended that tumble drying be avoided.

Should I soak sanforized raw denim?

Sanforized denim, also known as shrink-to-fit or loomstate, has minimal shrinkage and doesn’t need to be soaked before wear. However, some wearers prefer to soak it to remove starch and minimize length shrinkage. Unsanforized denim, also known as shrink-to fit or loomstate, has a rougher texture and hairier feel and requires an initial soak. To soak, turn jeans inside out and choose between two options.

Does raw denim ever get soft?

Breaking in raw denim can be uncomfortable, especially for tight or heavier denim. However, it will eventually soften as you wear it. To prolong the wear and prevent crotch blowouts and other rips, soak the jeans before wearing them. New raw denim may experience ‘bleeding’ or ‘crocking’, where the color rubs off. Soaking may minimize this, but the extent depends on the denim. Bleeding denim is not harmful, but it may not be ideal for certain surfaces. If you don’t want the color to appear on your white leather sofa, don’t worry about it coming off in the wash.

Should I soak my denim jacket?

To remove shrinkage from unsanforized denim jeans or jackets, fill a bathtub or bucket with warm water (40ºC). Turn the garment inside out and dip it in the water. Allow the garment to soak for about an hour without stirring to prevent excessive loss of indigo. If the garment floats, sink it with cans or objects. Once dry, hang the garment from a clothes hanger and allow it to dry completely. Once dry, the garment is ready to wear, as it has lost all shrinkage and perfectly fits your measurements.

Can I soak jeans overnight?

To prevent the fading of dark denim color, soak jeans overnight before drying and wearing them for the first time. Avoid washing them too often, ideally every 10 days. Turn jeans inside out to maintain color and prevent damage to details. Wash jeans alone for the first time to prevent staining or bleeding. Wash in cold water according to label instructions. Avoid using stretch denim in the dryer, as it can stretch too far.

If you must dry jeans, air dry them first and then put them in the dryer at low temperature to soften them. Never dry jeans on a radiator, as it may cause wrinkles. Follow the instructions on the label for proper care and care.

How long do you soak selvedge denim?

Soaking raw denim is a crucial step in preparing a new pair of jeans. To soak sanforized denim, fill a tub with cold water (for sanforized) and turn the jeans inside out. Submerge the jeans in the water for one to two hours, removing any wax or starch in the finish. If the denim floats, put weight over it. The water may appear murky, but the denim is fine. After removing the excess water, squeeze the excess water out and air-dry the denim. The denim will still be rigid but will break in quicker due to the removal of starch. Soaking both types of denim has its benefits and can be an important step in starting a new pair of jeans.

Is it better to soak or wash jeans?

For a gentler alternative to washing jeans, soak them in water in a suitable container like a bathtub or sink. This method reduces dye loss but doesn’t provide a particularly clean result. However, using the washing machine can give jeans a gentle refresh, keeping them looking and feeling fresher for longer. The recommended time to wash dry jeans is 6 months before the first wash, as the longer they wear, the higher the contrast of wear marks. This is because the aging process helps abrade surface-bound indigo and creates worn-in look. For even more contrasting wear marks, you can go longer.

How long to soak selvedge denim?

To clean jeans, fill a tub with water (cold for sanforized and hot for unsanforized) and submerge the jeans in the water. If the water appears murky, it’s fine. After soaking, squeeze the excess water out and air-dry the jeans. Sanforized denim can be soaked to “set” the indigo dye, reducing crocking. To shrink-to-fit the fabric, soak the jeans in cold water, white vinegar, and sea salt for one hour. Rinse in cold water and air dry. For unsanforized denim, soak the jeans in hot water (40°C/140°F) to shrink 1-2 waist sizes and 2-3 inches in length. This process is the same as for sanforized denim.

How to soften selvedge denim?

To soften raw denim, fill a basin with warm water, add fabric softener, and submerge the denim for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly under cold water and air dry. Raw denim is unwashed and untreated, and it can be stiff and fade naturally over time. To soften it quicker, wear it often before washing to allow it to soften, mold, and fold in the desired areas. Use the washing machine, but avoid using hot water on the first wash. If the denim is not soft enough, repeat the process with warm water.

Should I soak raw denim before wearing Reddit?

The process of soaking and air-drying denim can result in the formation of a stiffer and coarser fabric in the short term.

Should I soak my selvedge denim?

Soaking jeans not only breaks down the fabric’s rigidity, making them more comfortable to wear and easy to break in, but it can also extend their lifespan. Soaking softens all tension points across the garment, reducing friction and preventing ripping and abrasion. Some denim fans prefer to keep their jeans raw for unique fades, but this can harm the fabric. Soaking jeans allows for natural fades and ensures the selvedge investment remains strong.

To soak jeans, fill a clean tub or receptacle with enough water to ensure the jeans are fully submerged. Fasten all buttons on the jeans and turn them inside out to reduce stress and ensure even shrinkage. Gently place the jeans in the bath, allowing the oxygen to escape from the fabric. If the jeans are heavy, use old coffee cups to weigh them down in the water. The process can last up to an hour.

In summary, soaking jeans not only softens the fabric but also prolongs its lifespan. To begin, fill a clean tub with enough water to ensure the jeans are fully submerged. Fasten buttons and turn the jeans inside out to reduce stress and ensure even shrinkage.