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For ordinary jeans, turn them inside out, close the zipper, wash with similar colors in cold water on a gentle cycle, and air-dry when practical. These steps can help preserve fit and color, but they cannot guarantee that a garment will never shrink or fade. Check the care label first: raw denim, workwear, and protective garments may need different treatment.
Start with the garment label
Before washing, check the sewn-in care instructions and identify what you have: ordinary preshrunk denim, raw or unpreshrunk denim, or workwear with a special finish or protective function. Follow the garment-specific instructions where they differ from general denim advice.
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Levi’s says most of its jeans are preshrunk and should experience little to no shrinkage when cared for according to their instructions. Its Shrink-to-Fit jeans are raw and not preshrunk, so do not assume the same shrinkage behavior for every pair.
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- Prepare the garment. Turn jeans inside out and close the zipper.
- Choose a cool, gentle wash. Use cold water on a gentle cycle and wash with similar colors. This is Levi’s advice for its denim and a sensible baseline for ordinary jeans.
- Skip unnecessary heat and abrasion. Avoiding hot water and aggressive washing can reduce avoidable exposure that may affect fit and color.
Levi’s also recommends washing new dark denim before its first wear. Dye can transfer, so keep new black, dark, or raw jeans away from light-colored clothing and pale upholstery until washed.
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Handle raw denim according to its maker
Raw denim is not necessarily preshrunk, and care recommendations can vary by maker. Levi’s regional guidance recommends hand washing raw denim in cold water with a gentle cleanser, then letting it dry without wringing. Treat that as Levi’s guidance rather than a universal rule for every raw-denim garment.
Let workwear instructions take priority
“Workwear” covers garments with different fabrics, construction, finishes, and intended functions, so a single temperature or cycle is not reliable for every item. Carhartt’s general care instructions vary by category: its guidance says to wash jeans, shorts, and sweats cold, while bib overalls have different generic instructions.
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A specific Carhartt denim bib listing illustrates the variation: it permits normal washing up to 40°C and low-temperature tumble drying, and recommends washing inside out with like colors, avoiding fabric softener, and removing the garment promptly. Use the care label for your own item rather than applying that product’s instructions to all workwear.
For flame-resistant garments
Do not substitute an ordinary denim routine for the laundering instructions supplied with flame-resistant workwear. Carhartt provides separate instructions for its flame-resistant clothing, including limits and prohibited additives. Follow the label and manufacturer directions exactly to care for the garment’s protective function.
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Choose a drying method that suits your priorities
Air- or line-drying is the conservative choice when retaining fit matters. Levi Strauss & Co. writes in The Definitive Denim Care Guide (2018): “Line-drying preserves the fit and helps avoid possible shrinkage or fabric warping.” Machine drying may contribute to shrinkage and fading, according to Levi’s denim-care guidance, but a dryer is not automatically prohibited if the garment’s label permits it. For a permitted faster option, use the temperature specified on the label.
What each choice helps with
| Priority | Practical choice | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Fit retention | Cold washing and air- or line-drying | These reduce heat exposure associated with shrinkage or warping; preshrunk and raw denim do not behave identically. |
| Color retention | Turn denim inside out, use cold water, and wash with similar colors | Dark or raw denim may still transfer dye, particularly before its first wash. |
| Convenience | Use a gentle machine cycle for ordinary denim | Levi’s cited raw-denim guidance favors hand washing; some workwear labels allow low-temperature tumble drying. |
| Garment function | Follow the product label and manufacturer instructions | This is especially important for treated or flame-resistant workwear. |
If fit or condition changes
Careful washing can minimize avoidable heat and abrasion, but it cannot guarantee a particular fit or prevent all fading. If a garment needs hemming, repair, or another alteration, consult a qualified tailor. Levi Strauss & Co. says its tailors offer alterations, hemming, repairs, and customization for Levi’s products; availability may vary.
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