How to Care for Selvedge Denim

Before you can care for your jeans appropriately, you must work out whether your jeans are sanforized or not. You can usually find this information in the product description throughout our site. If shopping in-store, our team members will gladly help you. 

Read our full guide to sanforized and unsanforized denim.

The two different types of jeans require different denim care.

Sanforized denim is denim that manufacturers treat after weaving to prevent shrinkage

The sanforization process uses steam and pressure to shrink and stretch the new fabric. Sanforized denim will have minimal shrinkage because of this process, most pairs will lose only about 0.5”-1” in length with a wash. 

Manufacturers pre-shrink sanforized denim during treatment, so it shrinks very little and doesn’t need soaking before wear. Feel free to start wearing it right away. 

Having said that, some wearers prefer to soak their sanforized jeans, to remove some of the starch. In doing so, they get the minimal shrinkage in length out of the way. 

Unsanforized denim, otherwise known as shrink-to fit or loomstate, has not undergone the sanforization process. Unsanforized jeans tend to have a rougher texture and hairier feel in comparison to sanforized fabrics. They require an initial soak and will shrink by about 10%. 

Yes, jeans can stretch over time, especially with regular wear. Sanforized jeans hold their shape better due to pre-treatment. While unsanforized jeans may stretch more as they break in. The amount of stretch also depends on the denim weight and how tightly it's woven.

Explore our editorial to find fit guides for individual brands, to understand your jeans inside and out.

When it comes to washing jeans, remember these top tips:

• Avoid hot wash cycles - as this will damage the fibres in the denim.
• Wash inside out to help avoid streaks appearing.
• Use a minimal amount of gentle washing powder.
• Remove from the machine, flatten out and hang dry as soon as the cycle completes.
• Never use a tumble dryer!

Your jean washing schedule will depend on the look you want to achieve:

• Wash your jeans more often for a lower contrast, vintage fade.
• Wash less often for higher contrast at creases and points of abrasion.

If you desire high-contrast fades, we suggest waiting up to five or six months of daily wear before the first wash. After this initial settling-in period, begin washing your jeans fairly frequently: once every 1-2 months.  

After the first wash, the creases on your jeans will be well-defined. At this stage, it's safe to wash them more often and you will continue to see the denim's colour evolve. 

This will also help to preserve the denim and the stitching, which is more prone to breakage with multiple long periods without washing.  Make sure you turn your jeans inside out every time you wash them. 

You can spot clean your pair of jeans without putting them on a wash cycle. Simply use a damp cloth with cold water to remove the excess soil and let it air dry.