Should you wash denim inside out? Experts confirm why it will protect your garments

As the most worn item in most closets, jeans are an everyday staple. But, with regular wear comes the need for regular washing – so it's important to now how to wash denim to prolong it's life and care for it correctly.

Denim is prone to fading, and needs effective, deep cleaning to keep it in its best condition for longer.

I spoke to laundry experts about washing jeans and other denim and asked whether these should be washed inside out, and was met with a resounding yes. Here's why.

Why should you wash denim inside out?

While denim is a tough material that can last for years, it still needs proper care to protect it from excessive wear and tear, and color fading. As our experts agree, turning your denim inside out before washing is recommended, and there are several reasons why.

1. To preserve color

Wondering if you should wash clothes inside out? One of the best reasons for washing your denim inside out is to protect and preserve the color, and avoid fading.

'Washing your jeans inside out can help prevent fading and preserve the natural color,' says Ken Doty, COO and cleaning expert at The Maids. Darker or boldly colored denim can be especially prone to fading, particularly if you are washing it too frequently.

Woolite Darks Liquid Laundry Detergent from Walmart is a bestseller and popular pick at Walmart, helping to preserve deeper colors.

2. To reduce wear and tear

Denim is a tough material and often has metal fasteners and rivets to keep corners and pockets from ripping. Turning them inside out protects the rest of the garment and others in the same wash from catching on them.

Zippers and buttons can also cause snagging or even damage your washing machine, so this helps prevent tears and scratching too.

'Inside out, the abrasive zippers and buttons are less likely to cause damage to the fabric,' says Salvador Villareal, owner of VIP Cleaning and Laundry, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. 'My business has actually seen a 15% decrease in jean repairs since recommending this practice to customers.'

To further prevent damage, we recommend washing your jeans in a mesh laundry bag to protect against pilling, snagging and fabric distress. As denim is one of items you should never wash in hot water, choose a gentle, low temperature on your machine.

3. To clean more effectively

When you're wearing your jeans on a regular basis, it's the inside which comes into contact with the body, so it makes sense that that fabric needs deeper cleaning.

'The inside of our jeans has direct contact with sweat, skin oil, and dirt, and washing them this way helps to get the detergent and water right where it’s needed most,' says James King, operations manager at DeluxeMaid. 'And, if it's unintentionally washed with fuzzy fabrics, at least the outer part will not have lint.'

We recommend using the Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart, as it will make your laundry smell better and keep your denim fresh.

4. To protect embellishments

You probably know how to hand wash clothes to keep your delicates in tip-top condition, but, if you have a pair of jeans or a jacket with patches, embroidery or embellishments, you will want to ensure it's protection every time you wash it in the machine, too.

'I've owned many denim jackets and jeans with cute embellishments,' says Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved at H&G. 'They were usually hand-stitched or glued on and even more delicate. I made the mistake of machine washing a denim jacket with a pattern on the back and a third of the tiny metal embellishments came off.'

Flipping it inside out would have better protected those delicate features. We recommend using the Woolite Gentle Cycle Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Walmart when washing delicate denim, as it is able to effectively clean and cares for your clothes even in the gentlest, coolest of washes.

Our verdict?

The experts have spoken, and denim should always be washed inside out. Luckily, it's a super quick step to introduce into any achievable cleaning routine, and takes no time at all to master.

FAQs

Should you wash jeans buttoned or unbuttoned?

It's a common laundry mistake, but, to protect your jeans, button and zip everything closed before putting them in the washing machine. This will maintain the shape of your denim, and prevent snagging.

'If your jeans don’t need a full wash, try using Febreze Fabric Spray available at Walmart,' recommends King, which is a great laundry hack to save time.