New jeans often contain excess dye that can rub off onto furniture, skin, or other clothing. This dye transfer, known as crocking or bleeding, can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several easy methods to help prevent, minimize, or stop new jeans from bleeding color.
Wash Before Wearing
One of the most effective ways to stop new jeans from bleeding is to wash them before wearing. The initial pre-wash will remove much of the excess dye. Turn the jeans inside out and wash in cold water using a gentle cycle. Avoid using fabric softener, as it may set in any remaining dye. Wash dark jeans separately from other clothes the first few times to prevent any dye transfer to other items. Washing inside out helps prevent fading.
Soak in Vinegar
For extra dye removal, soak new jeans in a vinegar solution prior to washing. The vinegar helps release and wash away excess dye. Fill a tub or basin with cold water and add 1-2 cups of white vinegar. Place jeans in the solution and let soak for at least an hour. Rinse, drain, and wash normally.
Salt Soak
Another handy soaking ingredient is salt, which also helps draw out excess dye. Dissolve 1/2 to 1 cup of salt in a basin or tub of cold water. Submerge jeans and soak for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing and washing.
Freezer Treatment
The freezer is another surprisingly handy place to treat new jeans. Simply place dry jeans into a plastic bag, press out excess air, and seal. Pop in the freezer overnight before washing. The cold temperature helps set the dyes so less will bleed in the first wash. Freezing jeans periodically can also help maintain vibrancy and minimize fading over time.
Color Catchers
When washing new dark jeans, add some color catcher sheets to the machine. These sheets are designed to absorb and trap excess dyes released in the wash to keep them from redepositing on clothes. They prevent colors from running onto other laundry items. Add 2-3 sheets per load.
Turn Inside Out
Always wash new jeans turned inside out. This prevents the outer dyed surface from rubbing against other clothes, which minimizes dye transfer. Wash jeans separately or with other darks to avoid lighter clothes picking up color. After washing new jeans, check the wash tub for any signs of dye residue.
Vinegar Rinse
For extra insurance, do a vinegar rinse on new jeans after washing. Fill a rinse basin with 1 cup distilled white vinegar and a few gallons cool water. After washing jeans, place them in the vinegar rinse and agitate for several minutes. Vinegar neutralizes any residual alkali and dye on the surface fibers.
Bleach Alternative Rinse
If vinegar doesn’t remove enough excess dye, try an oxygen bleach soak. Mix an oxygen bleach like Oxiclean with water in a basin. Place jeans in the solution and soak for up to 8 hours before washing. This can help lift stubborn dyes.
Air Dry
Always hang jeans to air dry, rather than machine drying. The tumbling and heat of a dryer can cause jeans to crock more. Plus, air drying minimizes shrinkage and is better for the denim fibers. Hang jeans inside out from the waistband or bottom hems.
Wear Darks First
When wearing a new pair of jeans for the first time, avoid wearing light colors which could pick up indigo dye. Wear new dark jeans with darker tops and underwear to prevent visible crocking if some dye remains.
Wash Before Tailoring
If you need to have new jeans tailored to get the perfect fit, be sure to wash them first before hemming or altering. Otherwise, you may end up with uneven fading and bleeding at the hem line after laundering. Presoak and wash before visiting the tailor.
Bleach Splash
If jeans end up bleeding blue onto a light shirt, act quickly! Diluted bleach can help remove fresh denim stains. Mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Sponge it onto the stain and rinse thoroughly. For extra insurance, soak the area in oxygen bleach after. But test first, as bleach can damage some fabrics.
Iron Starch
If you want to minimize future crocking, apply starch to new jeans before wearing. Lightly spray denim with starch and iron the inside of jeans until dry and crisp. The starch seals the fibers to prevent dye rub off. Reapply after each wash.
Baking Soda Paste
To remove small areas of dye color transfer on furniture or upholstery, mix baking soda and water into a spreadable paste. Use an old toothbrush to work the paste into the stain. Let it sit for several hours before wiping away. The baking soda will draw out excess dye.
Conclusion
With some smart pretreating and laundry practices, new jeans don’t have to be a faded, bleeding nuisance. Take the time to presoak, wash, and air dry jeans before that first wear. And learn how to quickly remedy any accidental crocking that still occurs. With extra care and the right techniques, those new blues will look great for a long time.
| Method | How it Works |
|---|---|
| Wash Before Wearing | Removes excess dye through washing before it can rub off and stain |
| Soak in Vinegar | Vinegar solution draws out dye so less remains on jeans surface |
| Salt Soak | Salt also helps extract and rinse away excess dye |
| Freezer Treatment | Cold temperature helps set dyes so less bleeds during washing |
| Color Catchers | Sheets absorb and trap loose dyes in the washwater |
| Wash Inside Out | Keeps outer dyed surface from rubbing on other clothes |
| Vinegar Rinse | Neutralizes any residual dye and alkali after washing |
| Oxygen Bleach Soak | Helps lift and remove the most stubborn dyes |
| Air Dry | Minimizes crocking, shrinkage, and fiber damage |
