There has always been that long drawn-out debate. Should you iron jeans? You are either one or the other! If yes, they last longer because they’re well treated and the heat helps straighten them out. If not, it’s because they don’t need ironing and the heat will cause them damage. It’s all a matter of opinion. In fact, some decide not to wash them altogether! So, who do we believe?
Luckily we’re here to help! We will discuss exactly how to iron jeans properly to ensure they’re well treated and whether ironing jeans does actually cause damage or not. We will also find out what other tips and tricks you can do to ensure your jeans last as long as possible!
The best methods for ironing jeans
If you do like to iron your jeans then it’s best to find out exactly how to iron jeans properly to ensure they last longer. Assuming you’ve washed your jeans and let them dry, let’s get started!
- The first step is to put your iron on a low steam setting and turn the jeans inside out, including the pockets. The poor pockets often get forgotten about and end up looking like big scrunched-up balls in the middle of your jeans. Lay them flat on the ironing board and gently press the iron over until they’re smooth and wrinkle-free.
- Next, we move to the waistband, which is the strongest part of jeans so you need to apply a little more force to remove those creases. Keep the iron moving along the seam of the waistband, pausing every few moments to allow the steam to sink into the denim. You’ll need to get right into all the corners to ensure the best results. Take extra care not to run the iron over any metal buttons or zippers as it could cause scratches or damage to the iron plate.
- Now for the legs. Line up each leg, with the seams facing outwards, and lay flat on the ironing board. Again, pressing gently, run the iron over the length of each leg, pushing the creases out to the side. You may need to go back and forth a few times to remove all the wrinkles.x
- Finally, give the jeans an inspection and ensure all the creases have been removed from the hard-to-reach places. If you need to go over any areas again, carefully replace the jeans back onto the ironing board to avoid causing more creases! You don’t want to be going around in circles at this point!
Should you iron jeans?
Many people have different opinions when it comes to this question. Yes, jeans can absolutely be ironed. However, it should be done with caution and using low heat settings on your iron, or even just the steam function if you’re able to.
It’s important to remember that jeans are made from cotton fabric, which can shrink when exposed to high heat. The fibres in denim react in a different way to your shirts or blouses so be sure you’re not forgetting to change the settings on the iron!
That being said, your jeans have a bigger chance of shrinking in the washing machine or the tumble dryer than underneath your iron. To ensure your jeans stay in the best possible condition consider washing, drying and ironing them at lower temperatures altogether.
Jeans tend to hold their shape much better than other items of clothing, meaning ironing them is not essential by any means. Once they’re dry, as long as they’re folded and stored neatly, the fibres will naturally realign and de-wrinkle themselves. The choice is yours! But it’s a relief to know that ironing creased jeans won’t cause any long-lasting damage.
How to make your jeans last longer
There are some additional tips and tricks to use to get the best life out of your jeans. We have outlined a few below:
Use a cold wash
As we’ve mentioned, cotton tends to shrink when exposed to high heat, so using a cold wash prevents this reaction altogether. Your jeans will still come out clean and they will still fit perfectly! You can also decide on choosing cold ironing.
Let them air dry
If you want your favourite pair of jeans to last then you should never tumble dry them. Air drying is the best drying method, it prevents shrinkage and is more eco-friendly!
Wash them inside out
Washing jeans inside out, on a cold wash, will ensure the colours don’t fade over time. It also prevents any unwanted stains from bleach or washing detergent from sinking into the denim.
How to iron jeans has always been a source of contention, but done properly it can ensure the long life of your jeans and leave no lasting damage. Of course, if you still don’t like the idea there is no harm done by not ironing them. If you treat your denim with care in washing, drying and storing then they will take care of you and last an awfully long time!
Even with these tips you don’t feel like ironing your jeans alone? Well, with Wecasa you can book an ironing session with a professional housekeeper. She will come to your home to iron all the clothes you need. A real time saver for all those who hate ironing and who do not always master the right gestures.
