The truth is out – one in 20 men admit they never wash their jeans.
A new study for menswear retailer Jacamo has revealed the denim washing habits of UK men and the growing trend of less is more when it comes to introducing their favourite jeans to soap and water.
From a study of 1,572 men who wore jeans on average twice a week or more, 5% said that their denims had never seen the inside of a washing machine, while another 6% said it only happened once every six months.
Just over a fifth of those who responded washed their jeans every two months, which was on average after at least 16 wears, while the highest percentage group – almost one in four men, 24%, said their jeans were washed every month, after an average of 8 wears.
Putting jeans in the washer just three times a year, every four months, was the preference of 11% of those questioned while another 12 % felt four times a year was the optimum time to do it, this would be after wearing them 32 times and 24 times respectively.
The move to washing jeans far less than previous generations has come about partly due to the fashion that certain types of denim give a better fit and fade through repeated wear without washing and also because of a growing awareness of the environment.
Research has shown that the average pair of jeans consumes roughly 3,500 litres of water in the period from manufacture if jeans are washed once a week for two years. Just 4% of that comes from the production process, 46 % of water consumed happens once the purchaser gets the jeans home and starts washing them.
The “no wash” trend has plenty of support from Jeans experts with the CEO of Levi , Chip Bergh revealing that he had not washed his favourite year-old pair of jeans for over a year. Many jeans fans say washing machines damage the fibres of denim and shorten the life of the fabric and recommend hand washing inside out in cold water. Other more unusual claims on social media for getting the perfect fit and fade include walking into the sea wearing jeans, rubbing them with sand and putting them back on after washing while still damp.
However the majority of industry experts take a more practical view. Jonny Lightbown, buyer for Jacamo recommends always following the washing instruction on the label: “I know it sounds obvious but it is the first mistake many people make. Do wash your jeans inside out it will help to stop the dye fading too fast, do wash them on a cool, gentle setting if putting them in the machine. Don’t dry them in a tumble dryer as it can damage the fibres of the denim, shorten the life of your jeans and ruin the colour.
“To wash or not to wash them is of course a personal choice, but for me whenever they look or smell a bit grubby I wouldn’t hesitate to wash them. The method of washing will very much depend on the type of jeans, for instance those with some stretch in them will have different instructions to those without, but jeans have been essential work and leisure wear for generations and when looked after properly a well-made pair can last for years”.
Jacamo survey results showing how often UK men wash their jeans
5% Never (average wear of 2 x a week total of 104 wears a year without washing)
6% After Six months (average of 52 wears before washing)
11% Every four months (average of approximately 35 wears before washing)
12% Every three months (average 26 wears before a wash)
21% Every two months (average 16 wears before washing)
24% Monthly (average 8 wears before washing)
17% Fortnightly (average 4 wears before washing
4% Once a week (2 wears before washing)
