How to Wash Raw Denim Jeans
One of the questions we hear most often is: Should you wash raw or selvedge denim?
It sounds simple, but the answer depends on how you want your jeans to fade. Naked & Famous Denim founder Brandon Svarc teamed up with Stridewise to explain it in the video below.
Should you wash raw denim?
The short answer is yes—wash your jeans whenever they need it.
If they are dirty, smell, or simply feel ready for a refresh, wash them. You do not need to follow a strict six-month rule, and washing your jeans will not prevent them from developing fades.
The timing of your first wash mainly affects the type of fades you are likely to create.
How washing affects denim fades
Waiting longer before the first wash can encourage sharper, higher-contrast fades, including whiskers across the front, honeycombs behind the knees and marks around the pockets.
“If you want to have that very high contrast fade, then we recommend waiting as long as you can before the first wash,” says Brandon. “If you want to see those really pronounced honeycombs, marks on the back pocket and whiskers on the front, then you have to hold off a little bit more on washing.”
Washing more regularly generally produces a softer feel and a more even, lower-contrast fade. Neither approach is wrong—it depends on the look you want and how you wear your jeans.
It is also a myth that washing stops denim from fading.
“Of course they’re still going to fade,” Brandon explains. “You can wash your jeans lots of times and they’ll continue to fade. The difference is that the fades may not be as high contrast.”
How to wash Naked & Famous Denim jeans
For most Naked & Famous Denim jeans:
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Empty the pockets, turn the jeans inside out and fasten the fly.
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Wash them separately in cold water with a small amount of mild detergent.
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Hand-wash for the gentlest method, or use a gentle machine cycle when the care label permits it.
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Avoid bleach and fabric softener.
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Reshape the jeans and hang or lay them flat to dry.
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Avoid the tumble dryer, as heat can cause additional shrinkage.
Always check the sewn-in care label and product description first. Unsanforized denim, stretch blends, coatings and other specialty fabrics may require different care.
Do selvedge or Japanese denim jeans need different washing?
Not simply because the denim is selvedge or Japanese.
Selvedge describes how the fabric was woven, while Japanese denim describes where it was produced. The most important care considerations are whether the denim is raw or washed, sanforized or unsanforized, and whether it contains special fibres or treatments.
When in doubt, follow the instructions provided for that specific product.
Can you freeze jeans instead of washing them?
Freezing may temporarily reduce odour, but it does not remove dirt, stains or body oils. Airing out your jeans can help between wears, but it does not replace washing when they genuinely need to be cleaned.
The bottom line: wear your jeans, enjoy the break-in process and wash them when you feel they need it. They will continue to develop character and fades that reflect how you live in them.
Watch Brandon’s conversation with Stridewise below for more about washing frequency, hygiene, freezing jeans and creating different kinds of fades.
New to raw denim? Continue with our complete Raw Denim Guide.
