Dry Clean Your Blue Jeans!?

Miss Lee

Miss Lee

Cathlete
I went shopping today and found the PERFECT pair of jeans! I was so excited because I can never find jeans I like! They had every feature I wanted--a dark wash, 31" inseam, medium rise, trouser style, and a nice light weight denim for summer. And I bought the last pair in my size!

I'm a fanatic about washing new clothes before I wear them, and I wanted to wear my new jeans tomorrow. I read the care instructions and was shocked to see DRY CLEAN on the label :eek: .

So I'm wondering WTH these things are made of that they require dry cleaning. The tag says 98% cotton and 2% lycra. Would you throw them in the wash anyway, or take them to the cleaners? I'm kind of scared to wash them now. They fit so well, I'm afraid I'll ruin them ;(

What should I do?
 
Thanks Karin!

Hmmmmm, I love the dark wash, but I usually turn my jeans inside out and wash them in cold water on the gentle cycle, pretty much like the article talked about, and that does a pretty good job of maintaining the dark wash. I'm tempted to go ahead and wash them. but if they shrink I'll be so bummed out. What to do...what to do...
 
Like you, I have a terrible time finding jeans I like. I dry clean all of them so they'll continue to look exactly the way they looked when I bought them. Dry cleaning is kind of expensive, but I doubt it's any more expensive than buying new jeans when they wear out. This way, they last years, or at least until they're no longer in style, AND you don't have to worry about finding jeans that fit great.

Shari
 
Michele-

Maybe you could use one of the 'at home' dry cleaning products. Personally, I wash all of my jeans in the washer. I just don't dry them as that causes them in shrink IMO.

Carolyn
 
I wash my jeans (Seven jeans and Lucky) on the handwash cycle and hang them to dry. That has worked for me.
 
I dry clean my more expensive brands--worth it! But for the others, especially the darker wash? Use Woolite for dark clothing, use cold water set on the gentle cycle, turn your jeans inside out, let drip dry. When they are dry, put into the dryer for a few minutes to get the wrinkles out and soften them up a bit. Works like a charm. Just do not set your dryer on hot, medium heat only, otherwise you risk shrinking them!:)
 
I refuse to buy anything that is dry-clean only (I think drycleaning is horrid for the environment, and I don't want those toxic chemicals in my house---though there are some "green" dry-cleaning techniques available in some places, no near me though).
 
Michele, forget washing them before you wear them this time. Just wear them and see if they stretch out. With the lycra, they almost definitely will stretch and I think you'll find yourself wanting to wash them just to have them return to their original shape. With the lycra, they never really shrink permanently, they just get a bit stretched out and washing (I also put mine in the dryer) helps them return to their original shape.

ETA: What does "trouser style" mean?
 
Gosh, Katheryn, I'm with you. Although I own some dry clean only items. I hate dry cleaning. The chemicals are toxic. I will hand wash my clothes, dry them on a rack and then stem press. Gosh I wish I could afford one of those fancy whirlpool washer and dryers that can steam garments. I really hate to admit it but I love my Seven and Citizen Jeans. I've had mine for over 3 years and I just throw the darn things in the wash in cold water, hang dry, and press. For the amount of money I spent on them you would think that they would wash themselves.
 
I always wash all my jeans in the way you just described, even my Paper, Denim and cloth jeans (or whichever way round the name goes). Inside out, cold, gentle cycle, air dry afterwards, never use dryer. I only put them in the dryer on "air only" for 10 mins when they are already dry, just to soften them up. They haven't faded I don't think and have not shrunk, which for me, is the greatest fear.

Most garments, except the finest silk and all real wool sweaters, can indeed be washed on a gentle cycle and air dried.

Personally, I ignore 99% of labels that demand "dry clean only". i do some degree of hand washing each month also, but I wouldn't bother hand washing jeans. Gentle cycle-'em.

Clare
 
"Trouser style" is a more tailored look, often wide legged and high waisted.

Very elegant and more acceptable at the office than your regular bootcut.

Clare
 
Wow! My jeans want to come live with you guys! They are no where near that pampered around here. I toss 'em in the wash with everything else and let it rip. :D

Sparrow

ETA: they don't get put in the dryer though. In the winter I dry in front of the wood stove and in the summer, on the line.

"The winds of grace are always blowing but it's you who must raise your sail." - Sri Ramakrishna
 
>"Trouser style" is a more tailored look, often wide legged
>and high waisted.
>
>Very elegant and more acceptable at the office than your
>regular bootcut.
>
>Clare

Jeans at the office??? Can I come work at your office?????
 
My blue jeans are hanging to drip dry as I type!

The fiber content is exactly the same as my old pair which, by the way, is about 5 years old and still look great -- just outdated. I've always turned my jeans inside out and laundered them in cold water on the gentle cycle, and I've never had a problem with excessive fading or wear.

I googled and tried to find information on why manufacturers recommend dry cleaning for items you KNOW can be washed. I didn't find much, just a blurb somewhere that talked about manufacturers protecting themselves against customer returns--that dry cleaning preserves color and reduces the risk of shrinking.
 
>Michele, forget washing them before you wear them this time.
>Just wear them and see if they stretch out. With the lycra,
>they almost definitely will stretch and I think you'll find
>yourself wanting to wash them just to have them return to
>their original shape. With the lycra, they never really
>shrink permanently, they just get a bit stretched out and
>washing (I also put mine in the dryer) helps them return to
>their original shape.
>
>ETA: What does "trouser style" mean?

Nance, Clare's description of trouser jeans is perfect, except that mine are not high waisted -- they're actually a medium rise and hit just below my belly button. It's the style of jean Stacy and Clinton often recommend -- they fall straight down from the hips. Paired with heels and a tailored jacket, you can really dress them up, but they can be very casual, too.
 
Hi,

I haven't read any of the responses you got to this question, but I figure you'd be okay washing them if you line dry them. They probably suggest dry cleaning because of the possibility of shrinkage...

:)
 
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