Your denim jacket smells a bit musty or has a small stain. You know it needs cleaning, but you're terrified that one wash will ruin its perfect fit and color forever.

Yes, you should wash a denim jacket, but only when it is visibly dirty or has an odor. The key is to wash it as infrequently as possible, using cold water and always letting it air dry to preserve its color and shape.

For the last 20 years at my factory, DiZNEW, I’ve learned that the life of a denim garment is all about how it's treated after it leaves my production line. A designer I work with, Dean from New York, expects the jackets we make to have character and longevity¹.

The biggest mistake you can make is treating it like a regular t-shirt. The debate isn't if you should wash it, but when and how. The simple rule is "less is more." Washing is necessary, but it should be a rare event, not a routine.

Can you put a denim jacket in the washing machine?

Your jacket needs a deep clean, and hand washing seems like a huge chore. You're tempted to just toss it in the machine but have heard horror stories about it coming out ruined.

Yes, you can safely put a denim jacket in the washing machine² if you take the right precautions. Always turn it inside out, use a gentle cycle with cold water, and wash it only with other dark-colored clothes.

Using a washing machine is perfectly fine for most denim jackets, as long as you're not just throwing it in on a standard cycle.

You have to control the process to protect the fabric. In my factory, we use massive industrial washers, but the principles are exactly the same. First, always turn the jacket completely inside out and button or zip it up.

This protects the outer surface from abrasion and stops the hardware from snagging on other clothes. Second, only wash it with other dark items, like black t-shirts or dark jeans, to avoid any indigo dye³ bleeding onto lighter clothes. Third, the machine settings are critical. Select a gentle or delicates cycle, and most importantly, use cold water. Hot water is the enemy of denim; it causes fading⁴ and shrinking. Use a mild, color-safe detergent, and never use fabric softener, as it leaves a residue that can weaken cotton fibers over time.

This gentle approach cleans your jacket effectively without stripping its color or destroying its structure.

Can I put denim jackets in the dryer?

Your jacket is soaking wet after a wash, and you need it to dry quickly. The tumble dryer seems like the obvious solution, but you're worried it will shrink to a child's size.

No, you should never put your denim jacket in the dryer. The high heat can cause severe shrinkage, fade the color unevenly, and set in permanent, unwanted creases. The only safe way to dry it is to air dry it.

This is the most important rule of denim care, and it is not flexible. The intense, direct heat of a tumble dryer is the fastest way to destroy a jacket you love.

It attacks the cotton fibers, causing them to contract rapidly and shrink the garment. It also tumbles the jacket in a way that can create sharp, permanent creases that are almost impossible to iron out later. The best method is simple. Once the wash cycle is done, take the jacket out immediately.

Give it a good shake to remove major wrinkles. Straighten the sleeves and collar, then place it on a sturdy, wide-shouldered hanger. Button the top button to help the collar keep its shape. Hang it in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading.

It will feel very stiff once it's dry, but it will soften up again after just an hour or two of wear. If you are in an absolute emergency and must use a machine, only use the no-heat, air-fluff setting, and pull it out while it is still damp to finish drying on a hanger.

Should you wash a new jean jacket?

You just bought a brand-new jacket. It's stiff and has that distinct "new clothes" smell, and you're wondering if a pre-wear wash is a good idea or a terrible mistake.

It depends on the type of jacket. If it is a standard pre-washed jacket, one cold wash is fine. If you bought a "raw denim" jacket, do not wash it for at least six months to allow it to break in properly.

This is a great question, and the answer separates casual wearers from true denim enthusiasts. The advice changes completely based on what kind of jacket you bought.

For Standard, Pre-Washed Jackets

Most jean jackets you buy today have already been washed multiple times at the factory to make them soft and give them a certain look. If this is what you have, washing it once before wearing is totally fine.

It will help soften it up a little more and remove any chemicals left over from the manufacturing process. Just follow the safe machine washing instructions: inside out, cold water, gentle cycle⁵, and an air dry. Soaking it in a bucket with a cup of white vinegar and cold water for an hour before the wash can also help lock in the color.

For Raw Denim Jackets

If you bought a stiff, dark, "raw" or "unwashed" denim jacket, the rules are the opposite. Do not wash it. The goal with raw denim is to wear it for as long as possible—at least 6 to 12 months—without washing.

Your body's movements will create unique wear patterns, like fades in the elbows ("honeycombs"). Washing it too early will erase this potential, resulting in a flat, uniform color. For a new raw jacket, you just have to wear it and let it break in naturally.

Is it better to not wash denim?

You've heard the advice from denim purists to "never wash your jeans." This sounds unhygienic and impractical, but you also don't want to ruin your expensive jacket by washing it too often.

It is much better to wash denim as little as possible, not to never wash it. Infrequent washing is the single best way to preserve the color, fit, and character of the fabric. Wash only when you must, not out of habit.

The "never wash" idea is an exaggeration of a very good principle: wash less. The reason this advice exists is that every wash degrades the garment slightly. Here’s why infrequent washing is so important. First, it preserves the color.

The indigo dye³ used on denim sits on the surface of the fibers and is designed to chip away over time. Washing accelerates this process.

Less washing means the color lasts longer and fades in a more natural, high-contrast way based on your personal wear. Second, it preserves the fit. As you wear your jacket, the cotton fibers stretch and mold to your body. A wash, especially a warm one, can shrink those fibers and "reset" the fit you've worked to create. For minor issues, alternatives to washing are much better.

If it smells a bit musty, turn it inside out and hang it outside in the fresh air for a day. If you have a small stain, use a damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild soap to spot-clean just that area. You only need a full wash for major dirt or stubborn odors.

Conclusion

Wash your denim jacket, but only when it is truly needed. Always use cold water, gentle cycles, and never put it in the dryer. Less washing ensures a longer life.

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