You should only be washing your denim every 8-10 wears, this laundry expert says

Laundry expert Linley McConnell shows tips and tricks to keep your jeans in the best condition.

The frequency of washing jeans has been long debated, with some preferring to wash them after each wear, and others waiting as long as possible.

There’s no hard-and-fast laundry rule, especially when it comes to jeans, but an expert recently offered an answer that may surprise frequent washers.

Linley McConnell, laundry expert and vice-president of Gibson’s Cleaners, told CTV Your Morning Thursday that people can get several wears from their jeans before having to wash them, as long as they don’t get dirty.

How often should you wash your jeans?

Her recommendation? Eight to 10 uses. McConnell said this helps maintain the durability of the fabric.

“It’s a very sturdy cotton fabric,” McConnell said.

Her advice varies depending on the clothing item: “If you have stretch denim and they start to lose their shape, that’s a cue to start to wash them, clean them again, snap them back into shape. With your denim jacket, you can get even more wears, up to 15.”

What is the correct way to wash jeans?

McConnell said it’s generally recommended to wash jeans inside out and in cold water, to protect the colour from fading.

“You can use half a cup of kosher salt, add it to your laundry load and it is going to reduce fading and protect colour,” McConnell said.

If there’s a stain that needs to be tackled, a little bit of colour-protecting detergent and a toothbrush can be used to spot-treat, she advised.

Should jeans go in the dryer?

According to McConnell, when it comes to denim, “I would try to avoid the dryer.”

She told Your Morning, “Heat can damage the elasticity. So instead, squeeze out your denim with excess water, flip them back inside out and then you’re going to lay them flat to dry.”