Clothing expert busts major cleaning 'myth' for jeans that doesn't kill bacteria

13 March 2023 , 15:21

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A clothing expert has debunked the biggest jeans myth (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

It feels like every single day we're being told that we're making a major faux pas when it comes to cleaning common items - from our houses to our clothes.

Recently we discovered we'd been washing our bras wrong and we weren't meant to put them in the washing machine, but handwash them instead and an expert blew our minds when she revealed you can wash them in the shower.

And now it seems there's another big cleaning mistake we've all been making when it comes to our trusty jeans, according to a clothing pro.

Yep, Monique Leeuwenburgh, the director of product technology at Marks & Spencer, has told us that we should all be washing our jeans as little as possible.

Don't wash your jeans too much or they'll fade fast (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The expert explained why it's so crucial not to over wash your jeans to The Mirror, saying: "The less that you can wash your denim jeans the better they keep their appearance, especially with dark indigo denims.

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"It's best to not tumble dry your jeans and line dry as much as possible – it's not only better for your jeans, but also uses less energy."

This tip is also seconded by the denim gurus over at Levi Strauss, who claim you should only wash your jeans once every 10 wears and if you spot a stain in between to simply remove it with a damp cloth of old toothbrush and mild soap.

So what should you do when it is finally time to wash your jeans?

Monique continued to explain: "You should wash your jeans inside out with the zip fly and waist button fastened and we recommend washing your jeans at 30 degrees and using a colour care detergent – of course, every pair is different, so refer to your jeans' care label.

"Try not to leave jeans wet in the washing machine for too long after washing. It's better to take them straight out and shake out before drying flat or hanging them on the washing line."

And if you were thinking of popping your jeans into the freezer in-between washes in a bid to extend their life without washing and kill any bacteria that might be on them, you might want to think again.

The M&S employee claims this is one of the biggest 'myths' when it comes to taking care of jeans and it won't actually help.

She adds: "Freezing your jeans is a myth and does not kill bacteria, it only sends the bacteria into hibernation!

"This is not an alternative to washing them."

Did you know about this? Let us know in the comments below.

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