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    Discover our "What Is?" section to learn more about denim!

    Soaking and Stretching Denim

    The Resource Centre
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    • GilesG
      Giles
      IHUK Crew
      Joined:

      30 in the 3230FI is out of stock at the moment.  Have PI, or getting a restock in about 5 weeks.  G

      "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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      • S
        stever
        Joined:

        that's ok - it'll give me a chance to really break in the 634Ss!

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        • hecticH
          hectic
          Joined:

          IME, stretching on the 634S is fairly easy and ample, i.e.: I got 38s and they did not wear tight (I like em loose), now (admittedly a lot of wear down the line) they measure 40 inches.

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          • S
            stever
            Joined:

            too late now simon! the die has been cast…
            thankfully i have all winter to stretch em out. i'll be looking to get some 3x works come summer though; it gets pretty hot around here

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            • S
              stever
              Joined:

              hmmm, i am beginning to see the merits of your argument simon

              these are gonna take a long time to break in proper

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              • GilesG
                Giles
                IHUK Crew
                Joined:

                Yes, Stever.  That would be very useful.  This is actually one of the most uesful threads on the Forum - the more data the better.  G

                "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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                • hecticH
                  hectic
                  Joined:

                  Agreed, good data.

                  Quick question of my own - I have a pir of flatheads that have been very sparingly washed (always cold soaked), and they have not nearly shrunk as much in the leg as my other FHs (which were warm washed).

                  Is there a point a which, due to the age of the jeans, a subsequent (first) hot wash would not shrink them at all?

                  Kinda of the opposite of shrinking but it seemed the right thread.

                  Ta
                  H

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                  • BeatleB
                    Beatle
                    Joined:

                    nope..jeans actually shrink their whole life / but they also stretch..

                    fibers get thinner with wear - and every time you wash them they shrink in order to fill the "gaps"…weird to explain

                    We can do anything

                    http://bybeatle.com

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                    • hecticH
                      hectic
                      Joined:

                      ok, ta, Beats, cool wash still then i think.

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                      • S
                        stever
                        Joined:

                        oh best believe i ain't giving up that easy.
                        worn them every day so far; normally take them on a hourish walk around the neighbourhood in the evening. walked to and from work a couple of times instead of cycling to get some more wear. had to leave the top button undone on the 2nd day because my hips were a bit shredded.
                        going for another walk now…

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                        • BeatleB
                          Beatle
                          Joined:

                          the 21oz selvage denim is so comfty - even when worn tight. I am currently doing a stretching experiment on a certain sample jeans - so that we'll be able to give you exact size advice on a new fit. My impression - you will be able to get away with a really really tight fit to begin with…

                          We can do anything

                          http://bybeatle.com

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                          • S
                            stever
                            Joined:

                            hi all,
                            i was wondering if anyone has advice or instructions with regard to soaking. i've never soaked my jeans before, and i'm not too sure if i need to (or even what it does)… i just normally buy them and wear them and leave it at that. does it help with the aging or the durability or help them break in?
                            thanks guys

                            stever

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                            • BeatleB
                              Beatle
                              Joined:

                              Simple

                              If jeans are raw you need to soak in order to shrink and get rid of some of the starch.

                              If jeans are sanforized, no need to soak.

                              Fill tub with warm water(hot if you need to shrink a lot, cold if you're afraid they may end up being too tight).
                              Insert jeans - leave in the water for at least 1 hour - but anything up to 5 or 6 hours is fine.

                              Take out, hang dry and wear.

                              We can do anything

                              http://bybeatle.com

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                              • D
                                DrPat
                                Iron Heart Deity
                                Joined:

                                @Beatle:

                                Simple

                                If jeans are raw you need to soak in order to shrink and get rid of some of the starch.

                                If jeans are sanforized, no need to soak.

                                Fill tub with warm water(hot if you need to shrink a lot, cold if you're afraid they may end up being too tight).
                                Insert jeans - leave in the water for at least 1 hour - but anything up to 5 or 6 hours is fine.

                                Take out, hang dry and wear.

                                Although sanforization does include the use of water or steam, it seems that what you refer to as sanforized is popularly referred to as raw+sanforized and what you refer to as raw is referred to as raw+unsanforized.

                                I believe the only IH jeans that need a soak are the 634SR and SEXIH07.  Both are unsanforized.  Somewhere on this forum there is a discussion about threads bursting when you don't soften up the 634SR with a soak.

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                                • SimonS
                                  Simon
                                  Joined:

                                  Personally I pre soak everything before wearing the first time. It may not be necessary but at least removes most of the starch and other chemicals used in production.

                                  I had a nasty experience with some LVC's a few years back when at the start of the raw denim learning curve. Put a year in to them before washing, you can guess the rest; great fades but no chance of ever fitting me again!

                                  Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities - Frank Lloyd Wright

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                                  • deadendproD
                                    deadendpro
                                    啓蒙家
                                    Joined:

                                    The kiya way works best for me:

                                    Anything more than 45 mins won't do anything to the denim.

                                    Soak hot or cold, either way the shrinkage will occur (though it will happen a lot faster with warmer water)

                                    Air dry or dry in the sun.

                                    –---------------------------

                                    Maybe it is just me but I find soaking to be the most difficult thing in regards to denim. Not that I don't know how to do it, but because the only thing left to do is wash or wear. Soaking is the only even remotely "complicated" process. Still totally fuckin easy, but it can be intimidating to those who haven't done it very much if at all before.

                                    Currently Wearing:
                                    SExSx3s 27-01
                                    15.4oz 3sixteen Type 3
                                    25oz Samurai Type 1

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                                    • GilesG
                                      Giles
                                      IHUK Crew
                                      Joined:

                                      My method.  Measure.  Chuck in sink of hot water.  Leave in there until I remember that they're there.  Dry (for max shrinkage in the hottest place I can find, for min shrinkage coolest place I can find). Re-measure…G

                                      "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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                                      • L
                                        LandoCal126 0
                                        Banned
                                        Joined:

                                        Just soaked my new TW HR01 the G way in the Denim Dungeon Shrink Sink. Just like G said, I left them in the sink until I remembered and then they hung outside. Measured before and after. The less you worry, the better they will turn out…

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                                        • T
                                          that_was_easy
                                          Joined:

                                          Sometimes I hate having an off-white tub.  Makes the water brownish instead of that lovely pale blue.

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                                          • GilesG
                                            Giles
                                            IHUK Crew
                                            Joined:

                                            Possibly, but you get a load of starch out on the first soak, that certainly contributes to the browniness of the water….

                                            "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

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