How often do you really need to wash your jeans? Here’s what experts say

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Taxes, death and the “can I wear this” sniff test — they’re all certainties in life. And, whether we’d like to admit it or not, we’ve all grabbed a piece of clothing off the floor (or the chair) and inhaled to see if it’s wearable. While certain pieces of clothing require washing after every use (yes, we’re also talking about lucky underwear), other items can get by with fewer spin cycles. Jeans are one of those items. You don’t need to clean them after every wear — but how often should you wash your jeans?

“Overwashing jeans can cause them to fade, lose their shape and weaken the fabric,” says Daniel Feliciano, co-founder and CEO of Clotheslyne , an on-demand laundry service. “But not washing your jeans enough can lead to bacteria buildup, odors and even skin irritation.”

So, what’s the ideal washing schedule for your denim? To answer that question, I spoke more with Feliciano and another laundry expert — plus, I got their tips on how to clean your jeans.

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How often do you really need to wash your jeans?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer on how often you should wash your jeans. If you wear your jeans to a baseball game where you may sit in something sticky or spill beer on them, the answer will be very different than if you just occasionally throw on a pair for some quick errands. That said, you can follow a general rule of thumb: “In most cases, jeans can be washed every four to five wears,” says Morgan LaLonde, a brand manager for Whirlpool Laundry . The general rule is if your jeans look or smell dirty, wash them. If not, wash them every five or so wears.

If small areas become soiled (say, you spill a bit of coffee on them) but they otherwise smell okay, you don’t necessarily need to throw them in the wash. If the stain is small enough, you can try spot-treating it, says LaLonde.

Does sticking your jeans in the freezer clean them?

Some say that rather than washing your jeans, you should put them in the freezer to clean them. It may sound like sorcery but it actually works — kind of. Freezing your jeans can make odor-inducing bacteria lie dormant, says Feliciano.

But just because your jeans may smell less funky doesn’t mean they’re clean. “Freezing them is a temporary solution — it doesn’t actually remove dirt or oils,” adds Feliciano. “A thorough washing is much more effective.”

What is the best way to wash your jeans?

Both experts recommend following the care instructions on your jeans’ tag. But generally speaking, you should use cold water and the delicate or gentle cycle of your washing machine, says Feliciano, adding that a mild or gentle detergent is best.

It’s fine to wash your denim with other items, though if they are a darker wash (think indigo or black) and new, you may want to wash them solo the first few times. The dye used on dark denim may bleed during the first few washes, so if you want to avoid the possibility of other clothes soaking up that dye, wash them on their own.

Another tip: “Turn your jeans inside out to protect against direct exposure to detergent, which could fade them more quickly or lead to faster wear and tear,” says LaLonde. Finally, if your jeans are embellished or ripped, Feliciano suggests placing them in a mesh washing bag before tossing them in your machine to protect rips from becoming larger or embellishments from falling off.

The best detergents to use on jeans

Feliciano and LaLonde both recommend sticking with a mild detergent for washing jeans. “For dark blue or black jeans, opt for detergents specifically made for dark clothing to prevent any fading,” adds Feliciano. Below are detergents that fit those requirements and that have at least a four-star average rating from 1,000 or more shoppers.

Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent

This mild detergent is free of dyes and perfumes, making it a great hypoallergenic option that can clean all your laundry — including your jeans. This is my go-to detergent and I find that it does a great job at cleaning my toddler’s t-shirts, workout leggings and my favorite wide-leg jeans. The detergent is also available in pods .

Molly's Suds Liquid Laundry Detergent

If you like natural cleaning products , consider this detergent from Molly’s Suds. According to the brand, it’s mild and made with plant-derived active ingredients. The detergent comes in a handful of scents — including lavender , peppermint and unscented .

Seventh Generation EasyDose Free & Clear Laundry Detergent

Seventh Generation’s EasyDose detergent is super concentrated, so a little goes a long way. You’ll get at least 66 loads from the 23-ounce bottle, making it a great option for those who have to lug their stuff to a laundromat or apartment laundry room. The mild detergent is free of dyes and fragrances, making it gentle on materials and your skin, according to the brand.

Woolite Darks Protect Liquid Laundry Detergent

If you have dark blue or black jeans, consider washing them in this detergent from Woolite. It’s formulated specifically to maintain the color of darker clothing items and prevent fading, according to the brand. A bottle gets you through 33 loads and the cap can be used to measure your detergent.

Perwoll Renew & Repair Liquid Detergent

Like the detergent from Woolite, this option is also made specifically for dark or black clothing. Not only does this formula help prevent fading, but it can also help restore darker colors and make them look less faded, according to Perwoll. You’ll get up to 24 loads from one bottle and the cap can be used to measure what you need.

Should you put your jeans in the dryer?

Resist the urge to throw your jeans in the dryer. It might be quicker, but your jeans will hold up better if you stick to air drying them whenever possible. “Drying your jeans in a dryer can cause them to shrink, fade or cause damage to fibers,” says LaLonde. “Remove them from the washer and pull the seams taught so the jeans lay flat. Then hang them up to dry completely before wearing them.”

If you don’t have time to air dry, opt for a low- or no-heat dry cycle, and use dryer balls to keep your jeans tumbling instead of balling up, suggests LaLonde.

Frequently asked questions

If you buy light or medium wash jeans, there’s no reason to wash your jeans after buying them, according to experts. However, if you buy indigo jeans, you may want to consider a quick wash. Indigo dye may rub off on your skin, shoes or furniture if it hasn’t been washed.

Baggy jeans can generally go longer between washes than slim or skinny styles. Because the fit is looser, the fabric doesn’t sit directly against your skin the way tighter jeans do, so it absorbs less sweat, oil, and body odor over the course of a day. That means you can often get away with wearing baggy jeans five to ten times — sometimes more — before they actually need a wash.

Meet our laundry experts

At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Why trust NBC Selected?

I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness and lifestyle, amongst other topics. I have written about the best roll-on deodorants , flats that have arch support , how to wash your bras and more. For this story, I spoke with experts about how often your jeans need to be washed.

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