How to Make Sure Ripped Jeans Don't Get Damaged in the Wash

Co-authored by Kamel Almani

Last Updated: October 28, 2022 References

Ripped jeans are more delicate than standard jeans; the distressed areas of such jeans need to be cared for both during daily use and when the jeans are being cleaned. Keeping ripped jeans in good condition for longer may require a little extra care, but this is easy to do once you're aware of what to watch out for.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Care During Daily Wear

1
Realize that your jeans will eventually show signs of wear and tear. In particular, ripped jeans are prone to looking less neat and intact faster than standard jeans. However, if you take good care of them, they will continue look appropriate and stylish.
2
Be careful when putting on the jeans, to avoid catching your body parts (feet, toes, etc.) on the ripped parts of the jeans. Don't put the jeans on when wearing shoes; the heels or shoe parts might catch on the ripped sections of the jeans.

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3
Treat your ripped jeans with care when wearing them. This doesn't mean don't enjoy them; it does mean being careful to avoid ripping them beyond the purposeful rips. Things to consider include:
- Take care if you're wearing jewelry, as it can catch easily on the ripped parts.
- Be careful when sitting with your legs under a desk or cafe tables; sometimes items under desks can catch on clothing, especially if you cross your legs or knock against parts of the desk.
4
Wear the jeans for the right activity. Wear ripped jeans for activities that don't require a great deal of stretching or sporting activity, as too much movement will increase the ripping.^{[1]
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Research source} On the other hand, they're fine to wear for mall visits, the usual walking and going to school, etc. Just be sure to change out of them before gym class or sports––and obviously, be sure to avoid cycling or trampolining in them!

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Washing Ripped Jeans

1
Consider carefully whether the jeans really need to be washed. Jeans are designed to be washed infrequently; the less you wash jeans, the better. Try spot cleaning (don't scrub though, as this weakens denim fibers) if they are dirty spots. Airing by hanging up before storing can help them to stay fresh without washing too. If you do need to wash the jeans, proceed to the next step.
2
Read the label before cleaning your ripped jeans. This will ensure you know what to do for this specific pair of jeans. Even if you're familiar with washing denim, ripped jeans need special care and the designer or manufacturer may have additional requirements, depending on how they made the jeans and what attachments are on them.^{[2]
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3
Consider washing the jeans by hand rather than using a washing machine. This is the gentlest means for washing ripped jeans and allows you to take extra care around the ripped areas.^{[3]
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- Do not wear jewelry if washing the jeans by hand, in case it gets caught on the ripped sections.
- Do not scrub jeans, as this weakens the denim fibers.
- Do not wring the jeans. Let them drip dry while being air dried; you can pop them into a salad spinner and whir them around a bit to remove extra water.
- To dry, hang them over several rungs of a clothes airer, to give plentiful support to the jeans. The airer can sit in the bathtub, or outside under a covered balcony or porch.
4
Prepare the jeans for washing in a washing machine. Before washing, turn your jeans inside out to reduce fading. This will help to retain the color and protects trims and distressed areas. Do this before putting them in the wash.^{[4]
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- Avoid using bleach or anything else that might fade the jeans. Bleach also weakens denim, not just fades it.
- Wash the jeans separately from other clothing that might catch on the distressed parts of the jeans. This includes being careful about hooks, metallic buttons, zippers, etc. on other clothing that might catch on the ripped jeans when being washed.
5
Wash on the gentlest or delicates cycle of the washing machine, using cold-only water. This will help to keep the dye in the jeans and provides a gentle wash.
- Another possible form of support for keeping ripped jeans intact is placing them inside a mesh wash bag. Use a large one and be careful not to catch the distressed parts when zipping it up.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

General Care of Ripped Jeans

1
Take care not to spill any food or drinks on your jeans if you can help it. If something does happen to spill on them, take time to spot treat the stained area 'before' you wash them in the washing machine.
2
Take precautions when storing your ripped jeans. Fold them away neatly and store them in a safe place that isn't near any sharp items such as jewelry, hair accessories or belt hooks––these sorts of items can catch on the distressed areas and pull more. Fold the jeans neatly or hang them up on pant hangers to keep them neat and organized.
3
Prepare your jeans ahead of next-day wear, to avoid last minute mishaps from rushing about. Fold the cuffs, iron them, and make sure all buttons and zippers are working properly. This will avoid any temptation to wear them even if something isn't right with them, which can cause damage.

Community Q&A

Question

Will the strands of the ripped part of the jean come out when washing them?

Community Answer

Yes, if you wash them in a machine there are chances. You can also wash them with your hands if you want them to last longer.
Question

If I ripped my own jeans, can I wash them without them coming apart?

Community Answer

Yes, they will fray more with each wash and depending on the brand and where the rip is this will be more or less. That said, they should stay wearable for a long time and should not come apart.