I grew up in jeans. I lived in them and at almost 70 years of age I proudly say it.
I always tried to keep them for as long as possible. I know quality is something you take care of if you want it to last. Therefore, here are some ideas on how to use your jeans best. Certainly each of you may know a part of these advices, but as I probably know more, I probably am the best.
Traditional cowboys didn’t wash their jeans – it was the advise of Levi’s & Co, in a time when jeans were work outfit overalls and people took a bath once a year. It is true that water somehow will always change the shape and the color a little bit. Cowboys use to put a cheap vodka (or other cheap alcohol) in a spray bottle and sprayed their denim right on. It had two advantages : dissolved dirt and grease and got the jeans rid of odors. OK, you can do it also this way. Or put them in the freezer to kill germs (but they will still ahev an unpleasant smell).
But world changed and we wash our clothes. Therefore, like most of our other clothes, turn them inside out first before putting them in the machine.
To keep as long as possible the original color and shape, wash your jeans at low temperature and let them air dry and not machine dry.
If you’d like to make your jeans tighter, wash them with hot water (+60°C at least) and machine dry with high heat. But be carefull – you might not be able to wear them again. 🙂
Your zipper will not stay up ? Use a binder ring or a safety pin. Pass it through the zipper key and around the button before buttoning your jean.
Sat on a chewing gum ? Pass an ice cube over it several times, then take the rigid gum off like a piece of cardboard.
Want to hang your many jeans in a small place ? Just use shower curtain hooks.
And a last common sense advice: if thinking about putting jeans in boots, first roll up the pant leg, then pull your sock up. Now it is easy to put your boots on.
When you had your jeans for enough time to make them to raggs, with a good sewing machine (as denim is quite a thick fabric) you can still make something useful, original and funny. Denim is strong and very resistant. Make a patchwork after cutting different jeans in equal squares. Or a carpet, or a sofa slipcover. Or something else … just let your creativity express itself !
Photo credits: Pinterest, thevoot.com, popsugar.com, Junya Watanabe, frayedlanguages.com, etsy.com, instructables.com, bykay.com