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Indigo Dye

Indigo Dye

We made a decision a few years ago to stop washing our jeans before they are sold, a practice that is very common in the clothing industry.  Not only does it increase the carbon, water and chemical footprint of your jeans, but it shortens their life too.  

But because the denim is unwashed it will lose indigo dye when you wear them. Now this dye will wash out, but its best to avoid sitting on white furniture or car seats. Most of the excess dye will typically be washed out after two or three washes in a regular domestic washing machine.   

We made a decision a few years ago to stop washing our jeans before they are sold, a practice that is very common in the clothing industry.  Not only does it increase the carbon, water and chemical footprint of your jeans, but it shortens their life too.  

But because the denim is unwashed it will lose indigo dye when you wear them. Now this dye will wash out, but its best to avoid sitting on white furniture or car seats. Most of the excess dye will typically be washed out after two or three washes in a regular domestic washing machine.   

Washing your Jeans

Washing your Jeans

Try to avoid washing your jeans too often. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and mud. Use a clean cloth and clean water to remove any small marks. Let them air on a hanger or clothes rack after wear. Some say that jeans should only be washed if they begin to smell. How often you wash your jeans is of course up to you, but a good dozen wears between washes is entirely normal.  

We advise that you wash your jeans on a hand wash cycle with a powder detergent, which dissolves much better at a low temperature, ideally 30 degrees.  

Denim is a warp-faced twill, usually with an indigo, blue or black dyed warp, and a pale natural weft, one side of the finished denim is pale and the other starts life dark. However the dark face will fade with wear and washing, and the way it fades is one of the great things about good denim.   

It is best to turn your jeans inside out when washing, this avoids the white lines you sometime get, caused by the dark surface of the jean being abraded whilst scrunched up in the washing machine. It is best to only wash with other denim, or dark blue or black coloured clothing. Your jeans will lose dye in the machine, even after quite a few washes. 

Try to avoid washing your jeans too often. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and mud. Use a clean cloth and clean water to remove any small marks. Let them air on a hanger or clothes rack after wear. Some say that jeans should only be washed if they begin to smell. How often you wash your jeans is of course up to you, but a good dozen wears between washes is entirely normal.  

We advise that you wash your jeans on a hand wash cycle with a powder detergent, which dissolves much better at a low temperature, ideally 30 degrees.  

Denim is a warp-faced twill, usually with an indigo, blue or black dyed warp, and a pale natural weft, one side of the finished denim is pale and the other starts life dark. However the dark face will fade with wear and washing, and the way it fades is one of the great things about good denim.   

It is best to turn your jeans inside out when washing, this avoids the white lines you sometime get, caused by the dark surface of the jean being abraded whilst scrunched up in the washing machine. It is best to only wash with other denim, or dark blue or black coloured clothing. Your jeans will lose dye in the machine, even after quite a few washes. 

Drying and ironing your jeans 

Drying and ironing your jeans 

It is best to thoroughly flatten your jeans before you dry them. Make this a part of your jeans care routine. Any creases you leave to dry in will be hard to get out when ironing, and this can lead to uneven wear and fading on the denim. Ideally give your jeans an iron, inside out, while they are still damp. And then let them dry flat. Never tumble dry your jeans. We know some people who say put your jeans back on when still a tiny bit damp, which will help them dry in just the right form. But this isn’t for everyone. 

Pure cotton jeans can be ironed on a hot cotton setting. If they’re a stretch denim then they should be ironed a little cooler. If you’ve let your jeans dry completely use the spray on your iron, or a water spray bottle to dampen them before you iron. Give them a spray, and let it soak in for a moment before ironing.  

It is best to thoroughly flatten your jeans before you dry them. Make this a part of your jeans care routine. Any creases you leave to dry in will be hard to get out when ironing, and this can lead to uneven wear and fading on the denim. Ideally give your jeans an iron, inside out, while they are still damp. And then let them dry flat. Never tumble dry your jeans. We know some people who say put your jeans back on when still a tiny bit damp, which will help them dry in just the right form. But this isn’t for everyone. 

Pure cotton jeans can be ironed on a hot cotton setting. If they’re a stretch denim then they should be ironed a little cooler. If you’ve let your jeans dry completely use the spray on your iron, or a water spray bottle to dampen them before you iron. Give them a spray, and let it soak in for a moment before ironing.  

Shrinkage 

Shrinkage 

Your jeans are made with natural cotton which will shrink when washed. Washing them on a cool wash, then flattening and ironing them when damp will minimise this. Much of the shrinkage will recover once they’ve been worn a couple of times, but they might feel a little snug on the first wear after a wash. This is natural and cannot be avoided without using chemical treatments on the cotton which we do not use.

Your jeans are made with natural cotton which will shrink when washed. Washing them on a cool wash, then flattening and ironing them when damp will minimise this. Much of the shrinkage will recover once they’ve been worn a couple of times, but they might feel a little snug on the first wear after a wash. This is natural and cannot be avoided without using chemical treatments on the cotton which we do not use.