Care For Your (Denim/ Wool/ Cotton)
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I can't comment on whether the creases return quickly after dry cleaning. I've never tried it. It's not a cost issue. I just don't want them flattening the jeans like dress pants. Also, using water is good for the fibers and moves the fading along.
I do the same thing 4C does - I warm soak mine with dr. bronners peppermint soap in the tub and rinse with cold water. It's a gentle clean, removes less indigo, and is less detergenty than something like liquid tide. Plus it smells nice for a little while.
This is the basic care topic http://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2215.msg121697#msg121697
If you are really inclined to dry clean them, then do what feels right for you. Everybody has their own laundering preferences for raw denim. It's a hobby and a learning process. You're not going to ruin them; it's just not really necessary. See how it goes. On your next pair, try something else if it didn't work out for you.
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And when I say unnecessary, I mean that washing them normally is the more natural process and will probably be better for your jeans in the long run. Jeans just aren't the type of garment that warrant a dry cleaning imo, and I doubt that chucking them in the wash will hurt them…
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Yeah, I usually use Woolite dark and either hand wash or machine wash, depending on how gross they are. You get to a point when hand washing doesn't work as well anymore. I usually toss them into the machine on the gentle cycle. Whatever creasing you get from the machine, the faint marks you'll get will even out as the jeans wear in. After a year or so, the jeans are so soft that whatever creasing they get from the machine won't stay anyway
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I'm lazy so I wash mine in a regular washing machine- cold water, gentle cycle. I use regular detergent, again because I'm lazy. I hang them to dry, not because I'm especially worried about what it will do to the jeans, but mostly because the dryer heat tends to cook the patch.
Since you're really concerned about washing the jeans, go ahead and dry clean them, if that eases your mind. It won't do any truly significant harm. In the end, they're just cotton pants.
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I made the mistake of not turning my 666-XHS inside before washing and got noticeable fade marks down the middle of both legs.
Let my experience be your guide - if you put them in the machine, always inside out.
Unless you like weird fades.
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Yep, forgot that- inside out is best.
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I wash all my denim every month, inside out, regular setting, regular detergent. The reason being that I am a modern guy with access to modern laundry technology, I am not a San Fransisco coal miner from the 1800's, nor am I a ranch hand so therefore I see little point in mimicking their laundry regime.
The result is that I virtually never get high contrast fades, but that's cool as I prefer a subtle all over wear, but my jeans usually smell ok. This is important to me.
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I made the mistake of not turning my 666-XHS inside before washing and got noticeable fade marks down the middle of both legs.
Let my experience be your guide - if you put them in the machine, always inside out.
Unless you like weird fades.
Been there and done that before. Thankfully it was not on any IH gear. Washing machine NEEDS to be inside out and without cuffs.
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Wow, I really appreciate all of your guys' input. That really helps so much.
I will mull over my options now that I have a much better head on my shoulders thanks to your combined information.
If I do get them dry cleaned, I'll let you know how they turn out. -
Apparently, Levi's CEO never washes his jeans. He is in the "freeze em, don't wash em" camp.
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Wore my IHT1210 out at the weekend, got twisted and woke up with suspect looking marks down the front and back… hit it with my vanish stain remover pre-wash bar http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Laundry/Vanish_Stain_Remover_Pre_Wash_Bar_75g.html before a warm hand-wash and ended up with these bleached-looking patches:
What do I do now :(? First time its ever been washed! I'm considering finding a dye mix (or tea?) that is off-white and re-dye the whole tee… or just live with it, like a pair of jeans.
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I recently washed my 555-03.. using low-heat washing machine cycle with Dr B. Unfortunately, I didn't realise until now I was having washing machine issues (it needed deep-cleaning) and as such my jeans have gone from not smelling (even after no washing) to smelling so fucking weird. Really annoyed.
I want to wash again, but don't want to lose a shit load of dye? Recommendations? Soak in a tub?
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I'd hand wash in the tub IMO.
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Honestly, you are not going to lose a load of colour from washing IH denim a second time around. This is premium, deep-dyed stuff. Perhaps Giles could clarify whether the 21oz SBG denim goes through the same fade-retardant process as the flagship 21oz but even if not, there's nothing to worry about here.
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Thanks All.
@ArloVShop - Yup, over the weekend I then ran 3 90c washes, using white vinegar or soda crystals. Seems to have done the job.
The smell is gross, let's hope a handwash with just Dr Bronner will do… thought about using white vinegar also, but unsure of this / denim combo.
