Caring for your favourite denim jeans

Denim is a staple in anyone’s wardrobe, and we all know it’s the true timepiece. Denim clothes are versatile and can go with anything, whether it’s a denim jacket and a cute little black dress for a night out with your girls. Or, a simple denim on denim ensemble will surely turn head. 

Since denim can redefine your entire look, it makes sense that you'd want to take care of it. And, let's face it, when you find the perfect pair of jeans that accentuates you in all the right places, you don’t want to part from it. 

Fortunately for you, Canal Walk’s clothing stores in Cape Town have a wide variety of stores; like Levis, G-star Raw, and Country Road at Woolworths that offer durable, yet fashionable denim pieces. And, because we care, we're answering all your questions on how to care for your favourite denim. Because we understand how much a good denim jean can mean to someone. So, carry on reading.

Have you ever bought denim jeans that you love, and you wear them as often as you can? Well, you aren’t alone, and there is nothing wrong with that. The only problem is that you may be washing your denim jeans too often. This does not only cause your jeans' colours to fade. But, it can also ruin the elasticity of your jeans (and no one wants that). Because, the one thing that makes you feel confident in a pair of jeans, is how it fits and hugs your body. Now, if it’s frequently washed, it will lose its shape. So, even the germaphobes who cannot fathom the idea of wearing “dirty” jeans, please refrain from washing them.

According to the founder of Levi jeans, which has been around since 1873, Levi Straus, you should only be washing your jeans after they've been worn for 10 times. This will help to maintain its colour and fit. But, of course, if you stain your jeans with mustard or tomato sauce over lunch, then you'll need to wash them. For spot cleaning, make sure your denim isn't either raw finish or no finish, as the spot cleaning will remove the dye, leaving a white spot. And, to remove the odour producing germ, all you need to do is pop it in the freezer, trust us, it works. 

If you’ve been wearing your denim jeans for a while, and you can tell they need a wash, it’s best to use cold water. Washing your jeans with cold water helps to keep the denim's colour and protects it from shrinking or stretching which changes its shape. Apart from washing with cold water, before you pop your favourite denim jeans in the washing machine, turn it inside out to preserve its colour. Always use trusted detergent brands, and wash jeans and colours separately. For example, if you bought a pair of black jeans from Country Road at Woolworths, it’s best to wash your denim with similar or the same denim colour. And, with a detergent that is designed to handle it to ensure it does not fade the dye or stain your other clothes. Lastly, check your pockets. We’ve all been there when we forget to remove a piece of paper, receipts or tissues from our pocket, only for it to leave white bits on our favourite jeans. And if you’re really keen on taking care of your jeans, you can hand wash them. 

We’ve all experienced wear and tear, and it’s not fun. The sad thing is that the most damage always happens to the jeans we literally can’t live without. And yes, you can go into a store and buy a new pair, but your heart will always remember “the jeans that got away”. But no worries, you can repair them, and let your creative juices flow. 

Once you have all your equipment, you'll need to ensure that the area is clean by using your scissors and removing any fraying threads or trims that are around the hole. This will help you have a seamless stitch up that no one will spot. Before you start the sewing process, you'll need to turn your jeans inside out, measure the patch of the size and apply the iron-on. Applying the iron-on will ensure that the denim piece is secure and gels nicely with the jeans so that it's easier for you to stitch it up. When ironing, make sure the steam is off and the iron is hot, but not extremely hot. Once that's done and the patch has cooled, you can start stitching in a zig-zag fashion. This method needs to be done several times to ensure the thread stays in tack. Once you're comfortable and feel the thread won't pull out, then you need to iron it again, sealing the deal. Once it’s cooled off, you can trim the edges and remove the loose fabric or thread. And, there you have it, your favourite denim jeans live again!

But, of course, if repairing your jeans seem like too much of a hassle. Or you simply want to add to your jean collection, then visit our fashion stores in Cape Town, as we’re sure we have something special for you.