This is the full breakdown of the method outlined in my guide on how to wash jeans—designed to preserve colour, avoid creases, and protect the fabric.
A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Hand Washing Raw Denim
If you’re breaking in a pair of raw denim jeans, you’ve probably been told not to wash them too often. That’s good advice—up to a point. But when your jeans finally do need a clean, how you wash them matters just as much as when.
Machine washing is faster, but it’s also harsher. It strips away indigo, flattens fades, and adds wear and tear. Hand washing is the gentler alternative. It helps keep your denim dark, preserves contrast, and gives you more control over shrinkage, shape, and longevity.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how I do it—step by step. This is the method I use for my own jeans, whether I’m softening them up before the first wear, rinsing out odour after a few months of wear, or shrinking a new pair of shrink-to-fits.
You’ll also find tips on how to avoid the most common mistakes, when (and when not) to spin, and why vinegar might just be your best friend. But first …
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TL;DR — Quick Summary
- Hand washing is best for raw, dark, or shrink-to-fit jeans.
- Turn them inside out. Use lukewarm water.
- Add detergent and vinegar (optional).
- Soak for at least 60 minutes—no scrubbing or twisting.
- Rinse thoroughly. Hang or flat dry. Never tumble dry.
- Full step-by-step and video below.
What You’ll Need
- A sink, tub, or large bucket
- Lukewarm water (warm to the touch, not hot)
- Clear white vinegar (optional, but recommended)
- Mild liquid detergent (no bleach or brighteners)
- A timer or clock
- Towels or rags (to catch drips or avoid stains)
- Access to a washing machine (if using spin cycle)
- A drying rack, hanger, or clean surface for flat drying
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Step #1: Turn the jeans inside out
Always the first step. It protects the outer surface of the denim, helps preserve the indigo, and reduces the risk of unwanted vertical crease lines during drying or spinning.
Before you do this, empty all pockets, button up the fly, and unroll any cuffs.
Step #2: Fill a sink, bucket or tub with lukewarm water
Use enough water to fully submerge the jeans. Lukewarm = warm to the touch, but not hot. Hot water can shrink sanforized jeans slightly and distort unsanforized denim more dramatically.
Step #3: Add ½ cup (1 dl) of white vinegar. [Optional]
Vinegar serves a few purposes:
- It stabilises the dye by neutralising mineral compounds that cause bleeding.
- It acts as a natural fabric softener.
- It kills odour-causing bacteria—especially helpful if you’re not using detergent.
Use clear, distilled white vinegar only.
Step #4: Add a small amount of liquid, non-bleach detergent. [Optional]
Use a formula made for delicates (like wool or silk) or for black/dark fabrics.
Avoid anything that says “brightening” or contains bleach or optical whiteners—they can alter the colour and damage the surface.
Mix the vinegar and detergent into the water gently.
Step #5: Gently agitate the jeans, then soak for 60 minutes (or longer).
Place the jeans into the water. Move them slowly for a few minutes to loosen dirt or odour.
Don’t scrub, wring, or twist the fabric.
Let them soak. At least 30 minutes is good. 60 minutes is better.
Pro tip: If the jeans float, use mugs or small bowls to weigh them down gently.
Step #6: Drain the water and rinse the jeans thoroughly.
Run fresh lukewarm water over the jeans, or refill your container and swish them through.
Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and there are no more soap bubbles.
Step #7: [Optional] Run a spin-only cycle at max 900 RPM.
This step is optional—but practical. If you want to dry your jeans faster, you can use your washing machine’s spin-only cycle to remove excess water.
⚠️ Don’t turn the jeans right-side out before spinning. This helps avoid vertical faded streaks (those dreaded “whisker shadows”).
⚠️ Be aware: Even this gentle spin may remove some indigo and give the jeans a slightly “rinsed” look.
Step #8: Turn right-side out and hang or flat dry.
Shake them out gently. Pull the legs into shape. Hang them from the waistband or lay flat on a rack.
🚫 Do not tumble dry. It can shrink the fabric and dull the colour. Only tumble dry if you’re intentionally softening a rough, heavy pair—and prepared for the result.
Bonus: How to Use This Method for Soaking Unsanforized Jeans
If you’re shrinking a pair of shrink-to-fit jeans, this is the method to use.
- Follow the steps above
- Skip the detergent and vinegar (just clean water)
- Use warmer water (the hotter, the more shrinkage)
- Let the jeans soak for 45–60 minutes
- Hang dry or flat dry as usual
If you want to stretch the waist after soaking, put the jeans on while they’re still damp and walk around for a bit.
👉 Still think washing ruins fades? Read about these popular raw denim myths—and why they’re wrong.
Watch the Process in Action 🎥
This is exactly how I hand wash my jeans:
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