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How to Keep the Blue on Jeans From Rubbing Off in the Wash With Vinegar

Melissa Rae

New blue jeans, especially raw denim, can bleed excess dye onto your skin or clothing. While it's best to wash jeans as little as possible to prevent shrinking and fading, washing with white vinegar before the first wear can remove any excess dye. Vinegar can help set the dye, remove odors and soften the denim without.

Wash jeans in cold water to avoid fading.

Always wash jeans separately to avoid tinting the rest of your laundry blue.

  1. Remove any items from the pockets and turn the blue jeans inside-out.

  2. Set the washing machine to a cold, gentle cycle and add 1 cup of white vinegar to the washer as it fills.

  3. Add the jeans to the washer and turn it off. Allow the jeans to sit for three to four hours or overnight in the washer.

  4. Finish the wash cycle and place the jeans in the dryer on medium heat until they're halfway dry. Smooth any wrinkles by hand and hang the jeans or lay them flat on a towel to dry.

  5. Tip

    Wash jeans with a laundry detergent made specifically for dark or delicate items.

    Warning

    Do not spot-clean jeans, as it can leave a faded spot on the fabric.

The Drip Cap

  • New blue jeans, especially raw denim, can bleed excess dye onto your skin or clothing.
  • While it's best to wash jeans as little as possible to prevent shrinking and fading, washing with white vinegar before the first wear can remove any excess dye.
  • Smooth any wrinkles by hand and hang the jeans or lay them flat on a towel to dry.