How to wash your raw denim?

Step-by-Step Guide: Hand Washing Raw & Selfedge Denim

Raw or selvedge denim should be washed carefully and sparingly to preserve the color and unique fading. The best method is hand-washing in cold water with mild detergent, inside out, and always air-drying.

1. Decide if washing is necessary

Don’t wash too often
Ideally only after 20 to30 wears, or when the jeans truly smell or have stains.

First wash moment
For unsanforized denim (not pre-shrunk), the first wash may be needed to control shrinkage.

2. Preparation

Turn jeans inside out
Protects the outside and preserves the indigo color.

Use cold water
Hot water causes shrinkage and fading.

Mild detergent
Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach, Ph Neutral, vinegar or wool specific product.

3. Hand wash (recommended)

Fill a bucket or bathtub with cold water.

Add a small amount of mild detergent.

Let the jeans soak for 30–45 minutes.

Gently move them through the water, but do not wring or scrub.

4. Rinse

Rinse thoroughly with cold water until all soap is gone.

Do not wring
Roll the jeans from the hem and press out the water gently.

5. Drying

Air dry by hanging or laying flat in the shade.

Avoid direct sunlight and tumble dryers
They accelerate shrinkage and fading.

6. Extra tips

Spot cleaning
For small stains, clean only that area gently.

Preserve fading
The less you wash, the more unique the wear patterns.

Shrinkage check
Sanforized denim shrinks about 3%, unsanforized up to 10% after the first wash.

Step-by-Step: Machine Washing Raw Denim

Quick answer: You can machine-wash raw denim, but do it carefully: turn jeans inside out, use cold water, a gentle cycle, mild detergent (or vinegar/salt), and always air-dry. This minimizes shrinkage and preserves fading

1. Preparation

Turn inside out
Protects the indigo dye and prevents buttons/rivets from hitting the drum A.

Choose detergent wisely
Use a denim-friendly or mild detergent. Alternatives include 1 cup vinegar + 1 tablespoon salt to help set the indigo.

Avoid bleach or strong cleaners: They strip color and damage fibers.

2. Washing

Cycle
Select a gentle or delicate cycle.

Water temperature
Always cold water to reduce shrinkage and color bleeding.

Load size
Wash jeans alone or with similar dark items to avoid dye transfer.

3. Rinsing & Drying

Skip the dryer
Heat causes shrinkage and accelerates fading.

Air-dry only
Hang or lay flat in the shade. Direct sun can bleach indigo unevenly.

Do not wring
Press water out gently if needed.

Risks & Trade-oFFS

Unnatural creases
Machine agitation can cause sharp, unwanted fade lines.

Faster fading
Even with precautions, machine washing speeds up indigo loss compared to hand-washing.

Shrinkage
Sanforized denim shrinks ~3%; unsanforized can shrink up to 10% after th first wash.

Pro Tips

Spot clean small stains instead of full washes.

Wash sparingly
Many denim enthusiasts wait 6–12 months before the first wash to maximize unique fades.

Consistency matters
If you machine-wash once, keep doing it the same way to maintain even wear patterns.