If you don’t wash them for 6 months how do they stay somewhat clean, I’m a teenager and my parents would fined it almost weird to wash not wash them. Plus does the washing process destroy the jeans or you just don’t get fades
@@danaughney3616 It depends on your lifestyle really. Some can get away with 6 months and some can barely get away with 2 months. The rule of thumb is, if it stinks just wash it. The washing strengthens the denim. The fades depends on the wear you put in the jeans. The longer you went without washing, the more contrast you will get. Just wear your jeans as long as you can and wash it when they smell. Good luck man!
So satisfying to hear back from a tourist in Turkey. I wash daily and always iron my jeans before wearing them since finding out about wet cotton shrinkage phenomenon. Now, my jeans are toasty and soft. Be sure to check it out yourself!
I washed my iron heart 888’s black denim without turning them inside out. I was so disappointed when I saw those vertical lines you’re talking about. Just yesterday I made them my work jeans (welder metal fabricator) and I’m gonna wear the ass outta them and I hope overtime those lines will blend in. Thanks for the great vid. Selvedge denim is definitely a learning curve that can be overwhelming!
Hi great videos. Please show us how your momos turned up upon repairing. I personally would love to know how that works out. Repair and wearing them down in general. This is one of your best videos frankly.
Great video. I wash my jeans in a machine every 8-9 months (w/Woolite Dark). Like a lot of people, I was a bit apprehensive at first. But then I listened to some interviews with owners of major raw denim brands regarding washing your jeans. They all said throw them in the washing machine (inside out of course) every once in a while.
My idea fade is just that, a fade in color. I don't want mine to look too whiskered or honeycombed. They end up looking spray painted when it's like that. So I'm ok if there's not much contrast.
I got sprayed by a skunk 4 days into a pair of Brave Star a couple summers ago. HAD to wash the jeans, and I had to wash them in that dog skunk shampoo lol. Worked out fine.
Good advice. I got my raw jeans just a couple of months and i have just wear it for about 6 times and i am planning to wash it after 12 months or more unfortunately i forgot to close my faucet in the CR and my room got flooded and my jean is soaked for how many hours so i have no choice but to wash it. So far i have not seen any negative effects. So what you said is true.
Oh, I hope that there was not too much damage done? And yeah, your denim will be totally fine and any results are just part of the story of your jeans.
Cheers on the video I'm new to the raw denim community and I got my first pair in the mail yesterday from Gustins I just worn them yesterday while relaxing to break them in they're stiff af
Everybody stinks when they come back from Turkey. Especially Istanbul . Has a lot to do with the piercing summer heat , the rancid burning grease of kabop shops and the general lack of sanitation of the place. That being said , Turkey has a huge denimHead community .
im confused and seems like theres no consensus; should i size up 1-2 sizes on raw denim or go with true to size on waist as others say? (both will be soaked /washed)
Without wanting to sound "consumerist": Could you give us a review on these Momotaro ? I thought it was an interesting brand just by the fact that they manufacture denim (or at least the mothership does). To me at least it was a key part on pulling the trigger on my 1st pair of raw denim. IMO, it's still interesting how different philosophies appeal to different people...
I have a question for you!!! I bought my first pair of Raw denim from Nudie in my real size and after the first wash, they´ve got one size smaller... Is there any possibility that I can make them bigger by one or two sizes?
Great information and great channel. Thanks to your channel now I have two raw denim jeans. What is your opinion o wrangler raw denim jackets ? I am from Ecuador and is the only jacket in the stores.
I like the fit and the details.. I mean the 124MJ is a classic. The only thing I worry about is the price. They seem to good to be true for under 100 bucks.
Great video! Is there a washing detergent you can recommend, or any kind would do? And how do these crotch tear fixed? With internal patching using denim fabric?
I use light detergent and a delicate short cycle. Try to stay away from detergents with heavy stain removers like Oxy on your raw denim jeans, you could try Woolite Dark as well, if you can find it, and air dry.
Thanks for the advice! Hey is that a pair of Momotaro jean? The one you are holding at 7:18 . Beacuse I also have one. ANyway, more power to your channel
When I got my Momotaros I soaked in cold water and soap after 3 months,then another soak after 3 more months. Then I washed in the washer after 3 more months.i wear my jeans 7 days a week for over 8 hours a day.dont be scared to soak or wash your jeans.
I’ve just got some Edwin nashvilles and I’m just conscious about the bleeding and getting that dye everywhere, I don’t have a tub to soak the jeans in so was just wondering if a 30 degree wash on slow in the washing machine would do the trick? I know of stopping it before the spin cycle to prevent vertical lines so I’m hoping it would be alright. Cheers
Interested to here your thoughts on this, but puzzled why you machine wash, ever! I see no need if I am only washing once every 3 - 6 months why not give them a bit on bath tub hand love!
Hey man, couple of things I think... for one. I am lazy 😂... haha. But yeah, this is part of it but you are right it would not be a bad thing to give the jeans a wash ever few months and take some time with this. But the thing is, I want the jeans really to get a good clean. Washing machines can make a much better job of getting right down to the core of the years with the detergent and also rincing them off. So I look on it like this. It is easier, quicker and makes a better job with no down sides.
Turn them up until you have the right length. Then decide on your cuff size. Add that and measure. But if you take them to a decent place they should help you out.
I've never in my entire life had a pair of jeans blowout or wear through and I grew up poor wearing the same pair of cheapy department store jeans everyday for years. Normal washing and drying etc too. When I got older and could afford Levis same thing no issues. I have some budget friendly raw selvedge now that I hand wash and hang dry but I've been lucky on the wear and tear. Maybe it's because I wear straight cuts and not tight or skinny styles they don't get rubbed and stretched as much.
Could be, could also have something to do with your body type. I have big ol thunder thighs and the crotch gets a lot of wear and tear. Always the first place my jeans go.
@@CeeAreDee I luckily don't sweat often even though I'm super active and have big legs too. Probably saves the cotton from degrading as badly as other people.
Hi! Newbie here, I bought a pair of Kaihara Uniqlo jeans. Would cold soaking them before wearing reduce the chance of bleeding? Also, how long should I soak them for? I'm not super into the whole fade thing so I don't mind having lighter contrasts.
If you want to really reduce the chance of bleeding, then I would just give them a wash in the machine, inside out at 30 or 40 degrees, gentle cycle. Should get rid of the worst of the loose indigo.
I just bought my first raw 501's. I think after I soak in them, and dry them on me, I'm going to hand wash them in a bucket and hang dry them. I'd like to wear them with suspenders/braces. Do you know how I can find a method of installing buttons or studs like in the button fly, like the ones you washed in the machine?
You can probably get the same kind of buttons in the hardware section of a leather shop. Perhaps Tandy leather, maybe even their website too. I know this is old but hope it helps.
Wallets and cigarrette boxes kept in rear pockets make ugly fade imprints too. The fabric will mould and stretch to the shape when we bend etc, and it will fade following the outlines
Ah. I kinda like that. It goes with the whole jeans fitting your lifestyle idea. One of my favourite pairs has a round fade on the back from a. Snuff box I used to stop smoking. Good memories
@@CeeAreDee 😁 ha yeah, imprints of our life and journeys we went through. We have car keys, cigarretes for smokers, mobile phone, house keys, wallet. All kept in the pockets unless one carries a man bag.
Just got my first raw denim today, loving them. I just wanted to know if it’s ok to wear my jeans for a bit before doing a soak just so that my fade lines n stuff could set before it contacts water?
@@rawesome1000 I got a pair of Naked and Famous Easy Guys in the dirty fade. Still haven’t soaked them I’ll give it like a few more weeks. Worn them in the rain once cuffed n it bled on the inside lol
the tough thing is if you're actually doing hard dirty labor in your jeans, for me its been near impossible to go a long time without washing or else i would eventually end up smelling like hell. Ive probably compromised the fade potential in my denim but still can appreciate the higher quality of jean.
Nah, you'll be all good! As Chuy said it washes out the starch which is actually a good thing, it makes the fabric less brittle, prolonging the life of the jeans... but it wont do any harm if you do it a bit late. Just make sure they are sanforized
Yip, as Juan said. Amazing jeans and some of the most interesting denim out there. But for my big fat European legs, the fits can be a little on the slim side.
Yeah, but if you are doing it "right" you should have gotten all the shrink out of your jeans by doing the shrink to fit thing right away. So you would have had to buy them big in the first place.
I got the LVC 1955 true to size. If I soak them in cold water will that prevent the inseam shrinking while still giving them the benefits of soaking? Or is the inseam shrinking 2 inches unavoidable?
Hmm. The colder the soak the less the shrink for sure. But there will always be a little bit. Unfortunately I don’t have experience with that particular pair.
I ended up soaking them in cold water for 10 minutes and hung to dry. They shrunk about 1.5 inches so now I just cuff once instead of twice haha. They feel great though. Thanks for the help!
Why thank you so much sir for this honest 5 cold hard facts of messing up with your Raw Denim Jeans 👖 I Appreciate It now I know how to take care of my jeans & not also let them dictate my life lol 😅 because I'm 16 turning 17 this coming May & just brought my first ever Levi's ® 501™ Medium Stonewash 👖 100% Cotton Jeans & 511™ Slim Fit Dark Stonewash Jeans 👖 that are also made out of 100% Cotton so I thank you once again for these facts before I accidentally fucked up my Beautiful Levi's ® Jeans 👖 lol 😅
Nice choice! It is not essential, especially since all Benzaks are sanforized... but I would do it anyway just to get rid of any starch or chemicals in the fabric. It wont do the jeans any harm.
Cee Are Dee Yeah if it increases the overall life that seems like a win. Just gotta locate or buy some hooks. Man I was really suffering the last few years with the proliferation of stretch jeans, and they just keep getting worse. Who knew there was this awesome community of folks who love 100% cotton jeans. 4 days in these are already reminding me of the feel of my favorite jeans of old that formed to the shape of my body. The whole fading journey is just another cool bonus. Thanks for responding, and posting these awesome videos.
What I like to do with my Ron denim as I buy Kaleido silver and put it in a spray bottle turn my jeans inside out and spray them silver kills the bacteria that grows on the inside of jeans without ruining the thieves are getting them really wet
Ah, interesting thought. Actually the new deo I used has silver in it and it works super well at killing the nasty smelling bacteria.. so for that it is a good notion. But it doesn't solve the problem of the dirt and grim accumulating in the fibres.
...do the fly button(s) up before you put them in the machine though, surely! Stops damage to drum and annoying clanking. Love your videos...wish you’d occasionally have a female guest on for us female raw denim heads too though!
Hey Ellen. Yeah, you are 100% right on both points. I do need to get more women talking about their experiences in denim. I have Ani Wells from Simply Suzzette. czcams.com/video/8Vivvxzs71I/video.html And then next week, We talk to Eda from Soorty about sustainability. But would be great to have much more of this. And for sure, next time the buttons will be done up :)
Best is to put the jeans in a washing bag (only the jeans ) no more clanking no damage to the machine & best of all they seem to retain color and last longer 😂 Cost of the bag 💰 is @ 1 dollar or less ❤
I believe machine washing contributes more to crotch blowout than friction. It’s the scissoring action of the legs in the washer. I’ve never had crotch blowout since I stopped machine washing.
Hmmm, I cant imagine that there would be much "scissoring action" in the wash, certainly much less than when you are walking around. But interesting that you've not had any since then.
I have never had crotch blow out and I've both gone no wash in the past and I've also watched regularly period I don't use heavy denim's comment either appeared crotch blowout is common in the no wash community amongst some men because the acidity of the urine that inevitably will drip about come out, even if they shake after they wipe. Ick!
@@CeeAreDee lol 😂 I'm a be picking up more I ordered them in one day last month everything is still new. By the end of summer I plan on having at least 20 pairs of nudie jeans. 10 nudie jean jacket. And I'm a try to get 10 pairs of naked and famous then I'll start wearing them. When I get them all I'll start wearing them and puting them in rotation.
My favorite pair of $20 Walmart wranglers just failed me, probably just gonna wear Levi’s until I can get some money for a few pairs of bravestar denim.
man if i wear the same jeans for two weeks, they start smelling like parmesan cheese. I dont think spending money on raw denim is apropiate if you sweat like me and you live in the tropic, since the washing thing ruin them. or what do you think?
😂Parmesan cheese 🧀. Good one. Ah. I totally think it makes sense. Just wash them. Won’t ruin them at all. You’ll just get more vintage looking fades. And the fades will be amazing! Some of the best fades jeans come from the tropics. That humidity and heat fades denim like crazy!
I always have those tearings at the crotch, because here in the Netherlands I use my bike for 95% as my daily transport. Those saddles and my legs moving besides it fuck up my pants.
I feel like the only person on Earth who doesn't like honeycomb fades, the main reason I buy raw denim is to minimize them. Wear for a few weeks then into the washing machine, the thighs and knees will fade naturally from work and your crotch will have only very minimal wrinkles.
I have been wearing Levi's shrink-to-fit 501s in 1969. Back then all jeans were dark blue and you had to fade them yourself. People considered jeans to be a riff-raff indicator causing restaurants and other places to refuse service. Now everyone wears jeans and that seems ridiculous. Going in the opposite direction jeans became a fashion item and they got pre-faded at the factory. But factory fades look fake so more recently people have turned fading dark blue jeans into some sort of cultural rite of passage. But what they don't realize is not washing jeans so they produce lines at the knees, lines below the front pockets, and wear marks on the back pockets are just gimmicks, like fake wear holes put in at the factory. Let's use science to take the mystery out of fading. Denim is made from cotton, the dye is indigo. In the olden days indigo was the available low cost dark dye so that is what Levi's used making it the official color of jeans. But the cotton is resistant and indigo isn't absorbed all the way through the fibers so it isn't on the inside. Abrasion of the cotton fiber surface through wear and mainly drying causes the outer layer to rub off revealing the lighter inside. The reason you wash jeans inside out is so they fade slower, not because of fears of pushing the dye through causing unwanted lines. Let's say you have a brand new pair of vintage US made Levi's shrink-to-fit 501s (I have many), the kind made from heavy quality cotton unlike today's STF 501s. The first thing to do is wash and dry them in the dryer twice. If you don't wash them they will be so big you will look like a clown. If you don't wash them twice they will be so stiff it will hurt to wear them. By the 4th or 5th wash the cotton will be baby soft. If you live down South and sweat, wash them after one day of use. If you don't then you can wear them two or three days before washing. That will cause your jeans to pass through many phases of fading, all of which look beautiful and authentic.
The best comment, perhaps thro experience. I too wonder why the fuss you need a ‘special SOP’ to wash denims. I’ve been wearing jeans for more than 40 yrs, sometimes hand washed, machine wash. Its OK afterall jeans are made for rough wear not for attending a special dinner with the Queen.
Will washing them right away prevent them from bleeding? I was interesting in getting a pair of raw selvedge jeans but I wear white sneakers often and am afraid of them turning blue. I definitely wouldn't be the type to not wash them. I'd probably wash once a week or more if I get dirty/sweaty. In that case is it just better to get pre washed jeans instead of raw or is there still a benefit to getting raw denim?
@@idriece1926 The dye comes out in the wash, not when the jeans are dry. After washing them twice (for comfort) the dye won't rub off. Don't worry about that.
1. Always soak/wash raw unsanforized denim before 1st wear. 2. Wear as long as possible before washing. If you start to see your crotch starting to rip, wash your jeans. 3. Turn them inside out, wash, then air dry. 4. Machine wash is okay. I usually machine wash after having washed them 3 times by hand 5. Enjoy them
This is the first denim video that I have seen, posted by someone with some common sense. Surely people do not need a degree in science to know that dirt and grit rips any fabric apart. Sweat, other body fluids and skin cells, along with spilled food are all alive with bacteria. When they have finished lunch, most of these bacteria enjoy some denim for afters. To make matters worse, after lunch, they do not run off to find another pair of jeans. Instead they die, making matters still worse. Denim should normally maintain a moisture content the same as the air in a ventilated house, so baking them will obviously damage the denim. However too much moisture will result in molds that destroy cotton. Washing too hot, with powerful biological detergents or chlorinated bleach will also shorten the life of denim. In a nutshell, it is simply a balance, dictated by how often, along with where and what you wear the jeans for. Their is no one solution that applies to everyone. PS, for denim heads. Follow my advice, stop leaving dirt and grease everywhere you sit, along with making the settee smell as if it has come from a pig farm and you will discover that not every girl you meet runs for the hills. 😊😊😊
@@CeeAreDee I am glad that you liked my light hearted reply. I left it on the computer while we had dinner and Jane added the last paragraph before she clicked 'reply'.
Yep... I've been breakin' in 501's for decades!!! Haahaahaahaa! Ya learn when to break in a new pair..............when the ones ya got on are gettin' a bit faded! LOL
Good advice as ever! Def agree with your advice on not over thinking it and using common sense! ... On one blog a guy was asking advice on how to get the smell of dog 💩 out of his jeans... you wash them you filthy animal!! 😂
If your jeans always tear at the same place, why don't you reinforce them in that place when they are new. And, you should darn them as soon as you see a white string. They are GOING to tear soon if you see the raw white cotton fraying.
Denim doesn't "dry out and get brittle". That's a strange notion. The reason denim needs to be washed is that the accumulation of fats, skin cells, salt from sweat and other stuff causes denim to decompose both chemically as well as physically.
4:11 ah good old washing them the right way round. I can't really afford raw denim (as I'm a bit of a rough cunt), but after moving to a rich neighbourhood on the other side of the world theres an abundance of posh folk buying raw denim, wearing them once, washing them, getting horrible lines then donating them to there local charities. That's when your boy picks them up for 15/20 dollars haha!
People...wash your damn jeans. Don’t have access to a tub so I bought a large plastic tub and washed the jeans in there after 70 wears with natural denim soap.
In my experience, the main cause of crotch blowout is machine washing not friction. The is due to the scissoring action of the legs on the washing machine. When I stopped machine washing, crotch blowout went away. I have 3 to 5 year old jeans with no crotch blowout. I had the same brands experience crotch blowout in 1 to 2 years when I machine washed them.
Hey Gerry. That's interesting to hear... Ive never experienced any negative results from washing. The crotch blew out anyway before I washed in some cases. I just roll with it as a thing for my denims.
I prefer "getting the shrink out" completely before wearing. I know people who have spent months breaking in raw denim, then washed them, and they shrunk so much they were unwearable. They wasted both time and money on a failed experiment. Wash hot when new.
The raw denim community is really underrated. Glad we have you to post good content about this.
Thank man, appreciate it :)
🤗
If you don’t wash them for 6 months how do they stay somewhat clean, I’m a teenager and my parents would fined it almost weird to wash not wash them. Plus does the washing process destroy the jeans or you just don’t get fades
@@danaughney3616 It depends on your lifestyle really. Some can get away with 6 months and some can barely get away with 2 months. The rule of thumb is, if it stinks just wash it. The washing strengthens the denim. The fades depends on the wear you put in the jeans. The longer you went without washing, the more contrast you will get. Just wear your jeans as long as you can and wash it when they smell. Good luck man!
@@aryaredzwan89 thanks for the help I will keep that in mind when washing them.
So satisfying to hear back from a tourist in Turkey.
I wash daily and always iron my jeans before wearing them since finding out about wet cotton shrinkage phenomenon. Now, my jeans are toasty and soft. Be sure to check it out yourself!
haha, I am way to lazy to iron my jeans 😂
I washed my iron heart 888’s black denim without turning them inside out. I was so disappointed when I saw those vertical lines you’re talking about. Just yesterday I made them my work jeans (welder metal fabricator) and I’m gonna wear the ass outta them and I hope overtime those lines will blend in. Thanks for the great vid. Selvedge denim is definitely a learning curve that can be overwhelming!
Hi great videos. Please show us how your momos turned up upon repairing. I personally would love to know how that works out. Repair and wearing them down in general. This is one of your best videos frankly.
Great video. I wash my jeans in a machine every 8-9 months (w/Woolite Dark). Like a lot of people, I was a bit apprehensive at first. But then I listened to some interviews with owners of major raw denim brands regarding washing your jeans. They all said throw them in the washing machine (inside out of course) every once in a while.
I am the same, but every 6 months is more my time schedule. The no washing thing seems to be a bit done these days.
Yeah I try to do that and wash them every 3-4 weeks with the exception of my work jeans which need to be washed every week because they get filthy
As someone who is not familiar with raw denim, this was definitely very interesting to watch!
My idea fade is just that, a fade in color. I don't want mine to look too whiskered or honeycombed. They end up looking spray painted when it's like that. So I'm ok if there's not much contrast.
4:20 As well as turning them inside out I like to do up the buttons, or zip, so that the metal edges don't rub against any part of the material.
Good point.
I’m still coming back to this video for a reminder on how to take care of my raw denim. Everyone starting out with raw denim should watch this.
Happy it helped.
I got sprayed by a skunk 4 days into a pair of Brave Star a couple summers ago. HAD to wash the jeans, and I had to wash them in that dog skunk shampoo lol. Worked out fine.
Good advice. I got my raw jeans just a couple of months and i have just wear it for about 6 times and i am planning to wash it after 12 months or more unfortunately i forgot to close my faucet in the CR and my room got flooded and my jean is soaked for how many hours so i have no choice but to wash it. So far i have not seen any negative effects. So what you said is true.
Oh, I hope that there was not too much damage done? And yeah, your denim will be totally fine and any results are just part of the story of your jeans.
Newbie here. I just dove off the deep end with a pair of PBJ's. Loving em so far!
Very valuable information. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Stay tuned, going to be doing more of this kinda thing for sure.
Great informative channel!!
Much appreciated! Thank you :)
Cheers on the video I'm new to the raw denim community and I got my first pair in the mail yesterday from Gustins I just worn them yesterday while relaxing to break them in they're stiff af
Welcome aboard! They will ease off really quick. Just keep going you will love it!
Great episode. Totally agree with you on point 5. :)
Hey, thanks, Emil. Appreciate it :)
Everybody stinks when they come back from Turkey. Especially Istanbul .
Has a lot to do with the piercing summer heat , the rancid burning grease of kabop shops and the general lack of sanitation of the place.
That being said , Turkey has a huge denimHead community .
im confused and seems like theres no consensus; should i size up 1-2 sizes on raw denim or go with true to size on waist as others say? (both will be soaked /washed)
That sunlight trick is one of the most important tricks ive learned during the denimgame
Haha, in this deep winter I would love to have some sun for myself and the jeans!
Without wanting to sound "consumerist": Could you give us a review on these Momotaro ? I thought it was an interesting brand just by the fact that they manufacture denim (or at least the mothership does). To me at least it was a key part on pulling the trigger on my 1st pair of raw denim. IMO, it's still interesting how different philosophies appeal to different people...
Will try my best mate.
@@CeeAreDee pffff lazy pilsner swilling Berliners...
I have a question for you!!! I bought my first pair of Raw denim from Nudie in my real size and after the first wash, they´ve got one size smaller... Is there any possibility that I can make them bigger by one or two sizes?
Really good video man
Appreciate it!
Just bought a pair of Freenotes. Been watching your channel since.
Great choice. Love the jeans!
Great information and great channel. Thanks to your channel now I have two raw denim jeans. What is your opinion o wrangler raw denim jackets ? I am from Ecuador and is the only jacket in the stores.
I like the fit and the details.. I mean the 124MJ is a classic. The only thing I worry about is the price. They seem to good to be true for under 100 bucks.
Awesome video! Thanks for the tips, specially the "ramen in the crotch" advice hahaha
bahahah, you're very welcome
Great video!
Is there a washing detergent you can recommend, or any kind would do?
And how do these crotch tear fixed? With internal patching using denim fabric?
I use light detergent and a delicate short cycle. Try to stay away from detergents with heavy stain removers like Oxy on your raw denim jeans, you could try Woolite Dark as well, if you can find it, and air dry.
Do you ever spray them with anything between washes to freshen them up so they don’t smell? Would it be harmful to do so?
Thanks for the advice! Hey is that a pair of Momotaro jean? The one you are holding at 7:18 . Beacuse I also have one. ANyway, more power to your channel
It is indeed, well spotted... it is that pink stitching in the inside leg that gives it away, right...
What shirt do you have on in this video? I absolutely love it!
When I got my Momotaros I soaked in cold water and soap after 3 months,then another soak after 3 more months. Then I washed in the washer after 3 more months.i wear my jeans 7 days a week for over 8 hours a day.dont be scared to soak or wash your jeans.
Sounds good Richard
fantastic video.
Thank you very much!
I’ve just got some Edwin nashvilles and I’m just conscious about the bleeding and getting that dye everywhere, I don’t have a tub to soak the jeans in so was just wondering if a 30 degree wash on slow in the washing machine would do the trick? I know of stopping it before the spin cycle to prevent vertical lines so I’m hoping it would be alright. Cheers
That’s totally fine. You can also leave the spin cycle as long as you turn them inside out.
Great video my friend
Thank you :)
Interested to here your thoughts on this, but puzzled why you machine wash, ever! I see no need if I am only washing once every 3 - 6 months why not give them a bit on bath tub hand love!
Hey man, couple of things I think... for one. I am lazy 😂... haha. But yeah, this is part of it but you are right it would not be a bad thing to give the jeans a wash ever few months and take some time with this. But the thing is, I want the jeans really to get a good clean. Washing machines can make a much better job of getting right down to the core of the years with the detergent and also rincing them off. So I look on it like this. It is easier, quicker and makes a better job with no down sides.
I don’t wash my jeans at all not even after two years
@@clydebrusca9294 I bet they can smell you coming
Good points , BTW i love your hat , where did you get that ?
It’s from a French brand called Vetra. Lovely stuff.
Okay so I have a pair of naked famous sanforized jeans. They are too long for me even cuffed. At what length should I be having them tailored?
Turn them up until you have the right length. Then decide on your cuff size. Add that and measure. But if you take them to a decent place they should help you out.
What brand is that shirt?
I've never in my entire life had a pair of jeans blowout or wear through and I grew up poor wearing the same pair of cheapy department store jeans everyday for years. Normal washing and drying etc too. When I got older and could afford Levis same thing no issues. I have some budget friendly raw selvedge now that I hand wash and hang dry but I've been lucky on the wear and tear. Maybe it's because I wear straight cuts and not tight or skinny styles they don't get rubbed and stretched as much.
Could be, could also have something to do with your body type. I have big ol thunder thighs and the crotch gets a lot of wear and tear. Always the first place my jeans go.
@@CeeAreDee I luckily don't sweat often even though I'm super active and have big legs too. Probably saves the cotton from degrading as badly as other people.
I also got the impression this guy rides a bike? That could play a big factor. This has never happened to me either.
Hi! Newbie here, I bought a pair of Kaihara Uniqlo jeans. Would cold soaking them before wearing reduce the chance of bleeding? Also, how long should I soak them for? I'm not super into the whole fade thing so I don't mind having lighter contrasts.
If you want to really reduce the chance of bleeding, then I would just give them a wash in the machine, inside out at 30 or 40 degrees, gentle cycle. Should get rid of the worst of the loose indigo.
I just bought my first raw 501's. I think after I soak in them, and dry them on me, I'm going to hand wash them in a bucket and hang dry them. I'd like to wear them with suspenders/braces. Do you know how I can find a method of installing buttons or studs like in the button fly, like the ones you washed in the machine?
You can probably get the same kind of buttons in the hardware section of a leather shop. Perhaps Tandy leather, maybe even their website too. I know this is old but hope it helps.
@@penelope-oe2vr oh thanks, that's a good idea. Tandy Leather
I know people really like the year mark to start washing. How long was that pair you mentioned as going too long without a wash?
The year mark for me is a bit long. I prefer about 6 months.
sub earned awesome informational content
Awesome, thank you!
Wallets and cigarrette boxes kept in rear pockets make ugly fade imprints too. The fabric will mould and stretch to the shape when we bend etc, and it will fade following the outlines
Ah. I kinda like that. It goes with the whole jeans fitting your lifestyle idea. One of my favourite pairs has a round fade on the back from a. Snuff box I used to stop smoking. Good memories
@@CeeAreDee 😁 ha yeah, imprints of our life and journeys we went through.
We have car keys, cigarretes for smokers, mobile phone, house keys, wallet. All kept in the pockets unless one carries a man bag.
Just got my first raw denim today, loving them. I just wanted to know if it’s ok to wear my jeans for a bit before doing a soak just so that my fade lines n stuff could set before it contacts water?
Yeah for sure. Either way the fade lines set in. Enjoy your jeans mate.
Congratulations, what pair did you get to pop your cherry?
@@rawesome1000 I got a pair of Naked and Famous Easy Guys in the dirty fade. Still haven’t soaked them I’ll give it like a few more weeks. Worn them in the rain once cuffed n it bled on the inside lol
the tough thing is if you're actually doing hard dirty labor in your jeans, for me its been near impossible to go a long time without washing or else i would eventually end up smelling like hell. Ive probably compromised the fade potential in my denim but still can appreciate the higher quality of jean.
I guess with the hard labour you’ve got way better fades than us armchair faders
why wear raw denim for hard labor....
@@cheeeeezewizzz jeans were invented for hard labor
So I never did the initial soak on my gustins and I've been wearing them everyday for about three months. Did I mess up?
No.. I never soak anymore. I soaked the first pair of gustins i ever bought. It washes out the starch. Soaking is a waste of time.
Nah, you'll be all good! As Chuy said it washes out the starch which is actually a good thing, it makes the fabric less brittle, prolonging the life of the jeans... but it wont do any harm if you do it a bit late. Just make sure they are sanforized
Do I turn them inside out for the first initial cold soak?
Nope, no need. Only turn them inside out when you wash them in the washing machine :)
It’s weird how closely these principles also apply to cast iron cookware.
LMAO
I like to wear toasty jeans, so I always throw them in the dryer on high heat 👌
Oooft, youre brave. Do you not get too much shrink?
@@CeeAreDee I was being sarcastic :) Noticed that was not in one of your 5 ways to ruin raw denim, thought I make a post about that
What are people’s take on PBJ compared to other Japanese brands, mainly IH and 45rpm? Unsure if I should pick up a pair, thanks in advance!
They have a nice natural indigo they use , make sure you don't end up with something uncomfortably slim but that stuff is nice
Yip, as Juan said. Amazing jeans and some of the most interesting denim out there. But for my big fat European legs, the fits can be a little on the slim side.
You say wash them but levi shrink to fit raw 501's will shrink like 4 inches in length an 2 inches in width....right?
Yeah, but if you are doing it "right" you should have gotten all the shrink out of your jeans by doing the shrink to fit thing right away. So you would have had to buy them big in the first place.
Hey man thanks for the video. Can you name me the brand/model of your shirt? I really like the colour
It is from Levi's Made and Crafted :)
The random wrinkles/creased are from you either sagging you pants or to much length in the pant. Making it wrinkle
I got the LVC 1955 true to size. If I soak them in cold water will that prevent the inseam shrinking while still giving them the benefits of soaking? Or is the inseam shrinking 2 inches unavoidable?
Hmm. The colder the soak the less the shrink for sure. But there will always be a little bit. Unfortunately I don’t have experience with that particular pair.
I ended up soaking them in cold water for 10 minutes and hung to dry. They shrunk about 1.5 inches so now I just cuff once instead of twice haha. They feel great though. Thanks for the help!
@@mattrassamni4450 no worries Matt. Enjoy the Fades!
Why thank you so much sir for this honest 5 cold hard facts of messing up with your Raw Denim Jeans 👖 I Appreciate It now I know how to take care of my jeans & not also let them dictate my life lol 😅 because I'm 16 turning 17 this coming May & just brought my first ever Levi's ® 501™ Medium Stonewash 👖 100% Cotton Jeans & 511™ Slim Fit Dark Stonewash Jeans 👖 that are also made out of 100% Cotton so I thank you once again for these facts before I accidentally fucked up my Beautiful Levi's ® Jeans 👖 lol 😅
You’re welcome 😊
How important is it to soak your jeans when you first get them?Just got my first raw pair (benzak). Been wearing 3 days and have not soaked.
Nice choice! It is not essential, especially since all Benzaks are sanforized... but I would do it anyway just to get rid of any starch or chemicals in the fabric. It wont do the jeans any harm.
Cee Are Dee Yeah if it increases the overall life that seems like a win. Just gotta locate or buy some hooks. Man I was really suffering the last few years with the proliferation of stretch jeans, and they just keep getting worse. Who knew there was this awesome community of folks who love 100% cotton jeans. 4 days in these are already reminding me of the feel of my favorite jeans of old that formed to the shape of my body. The whole fading journey is just another cool bonus. Thanks for responding, and posting these awesome videos.
Raw denim my favorite by far !
That wear ring on the back pocket of the first pair of jeans; was that authentic, or did they come like that?
Was from a snuff tobacco tin. Good way to give up the cigarettes.
@@CeeAreDee Nice. I prefer long cut
What I like to do with my Ron denim as I buy Kaleido silver and put it in a spray bottle turn my jeans inside out and spray them silver kills the bacteria that grows on the inside of jeans without ruining the thieves are getting them really wet
Ah, interesting thought. Actually the new deo I used has silver in it and it works super well at killing the nasty smelling bacteria.. so for that it is a good notion. But it doesn't solve the problem of the dirt and grim accumulating in the fibres.
@@CeeAreDee That is true the grime stays until you wash them at least I don’t stink 😂
What about spraying iron starch on them? Would that ruin the jeans in some way?
Would make the fibres brittle I’d imagine. And that would lead to premature wear and tear.
...do the fly button(s) up before you put them in the machine though, surely! Stops damage to drum and annoying clanking.
Love your videos...wish you’d occasionally have a female guest on for us female raw denim heads too though!
Hey Ellen. Yeah, you are 100% right on both points. I do need to get more women talking about their experiences in denim. I have Ani Wells from Simply Suzzette. czcams.com/video/8Vivvxzs71I/video.html
And then next week, We talk to Eda from Soorty about sustainability. But would be great to have much more of this.
And for sure, next time the buttons will be done up :)
CeeAreDee / Rope Dye the link doesn’t work, alas....it says it’s private. Shame, as I was thinking it was going to be a good one!
Best is to put the jeans in a washing bag (only the jeans ) no more clanking no damage to the machine & best of all they seem to retain color and last longer 😂
Cost of the bag 💰 is @ 1 dollar or less ❤
Where is your shirt from?
That is an old Levis Made and Crafted . You can still find them on ebay sometimes. Amazing quality and fit. One of my favs
I believe machine washing contributes more to crotch blowout than friction. It’s the scissoring action of the legs in the washer. I’ve never had crotch blowout since I stopped machine washing.
Hmmm, I cant imagine that there would be much "scissoring action" in the wash, certainly much less than when you are walking around. But interesting that you've not had any since then.
I have never had crotch blow out and I've both gone no wash in the past and I've also watched regularly period I don't use heavy denim's comment either appeared crotch blowout is common in the no wash community amongst some men because the acidity of the urine that inevitably will drip about come out, even if they shake after they wipe. Ick!
I just picked up 7 raw denim nudie jeans can't wait to start wearing them this fall
7? You’ll never need another pair of jeans! 😂
@@CeeAreDee lol 😂 I'm a be picking up more I ordered them in one day last month everything is still new. By the end of summer I plan on having at least 20 pairs of nudie jeans. 10 nudie jean jacket. And I'm a try to get 10 pairs of naked and famous then I'll start wearing them. When I get them all I'll start wearing them and puting them in rotation.
@@Tiger24kicks but why so many at once?
@@Tiger24kickscrazy
My favorite pair of $20 Walmart wranglers just failed me, probably just gonna wear Levi’s until I can get some money for a few pairs of bravestar denim.
Heard good things about Brave Star!
Brave Star are great, I have a few pairs and a jacket and love them.
man if i wear the same jeans for two weeks, they start smelling like parmesan cheese. I dont think spending money on raw denim is apropiate if you sweat like me and you live in the tropic, since the washing thing ruin them. or what do you think?
😂Parmesan cheese 🧀. Good one. Ah. I totally think it makes sense. Just wash them. Won’t ruin them at all. You’ll just get more vintage looking fades. And the fades will be amazing! Some of the best fades jeans come from the tropics. That humidity and heat fades denim like crazy!
Man now I’m thinking why so much money for raw jeans …I rethinking stay with cheaper Levi ..less worry
the look of the raw denim being weirdly faded and fucked up from improper use or lack of repair is real nice though
Or when they have been repaired over and over... really nice!
@@CeeAreDee I have a pair of Iron Hearts. I hate them. Try repairing them by hand! Lol
Nice red posters down there!
😊
I always have those tearings at the crotch, because here in the Netherlands I use my bike for 95% as my daily transport. Those saddles and my legs moving besides it fuck up my pants.
You and me both. Just a part of life. But I will say. With the right fit it’s way better. My TCB’s are 3 years old and no blowout.
What is the brand of your shirt ? 😊
That is an old Levi's Made and Crafted.
Repair shop recommends please?
How To Repair Your Selvedge Denim Jeans!
czcams.com/video/LIi3Y-Ton7o/video.html
My edwins ed45 just show this behinning crotch blowout 0.0, the garment is really thinn un that area, light shines through
time to get them off to the repair guy :)
I feel like the only person on Earth who doesn't like honeycomb fades, the main reason I buy raw denim is to minimize them. Wear for a few weeks then into the washing machine, the thighs and knees will fade naturally from work and your crotch will have only very minimal wrinkles.
I guess everyone likes their denim to wear their own way. I am a big fan of all the fades but really impatient. haha, bad combo.
Kind of afraid now that I washed my pbjs too early after 80 days of wear
Ahh, they will be fine. As I said at the end. Have fun. Don't worry :)
can you dryclean denim?
You could try it but most places won’t do it if it says to wash on the tag, they don’t want to be liable for ruining your denim.
Dry cleaning? no bueno?
I have been wearing Levi's shrink-to-fit 501s in 1969. Back then all jeans were dark blue and you had to fade them yourself. People considered jeans to be a riff-raff indicator causing restaurants and other places to refuse service. Now everyone wears jeans and that seems ridiculous. Going in the opposite direction jeans became a fashion item and they got pre-faded at the factory. But factory fades look fake so more recently people have turned fading dark blue jeans into some sort of cultural rite of passage. But what they don't realize is not washing jeans so they produce lines at the knees, lines below the front pockets, and wear marks on the back pockets are just gimmicks, like fake wear holes put in at the factory.
Let's use science to take the mystery out of fading. Denim is made from cotton, the dye is indigo. In the olden days indigo was the available low cost dark dye so that is what Levi's used making it the official color of jeans. But the cotton is resistant and indigo isn't absorbed all the way through the fibers so it isn't on the inside. Abrasion of the cotton fiber surface through wear and mainly drying causes the outer layer to rub off revealing the lighter inside. The reason you wash jeans inside out is so they fade slower, not because of fears of pushing the dye through causing unwanted lines.
Let's say you have a brand new pair of vintage US made Levi's shrink-to-fit 501s (I have many), the kind made from heavy quality cotton unlike today's STF 501s. The first thing to do is wash and dry them in the dryer twice. If you don't wash them they will be so big you will look like a clown. If you don't wash them twice they will be so stiff it will hurt to wear them. By the 4th or 5th wash the cotton will be baby soft. If you live down South and sweat, wash them after one day of use. If you don't then you can wear them two or three days before washing. That will cause your jeans to pass through many phases of fading, all of which look beautiful and authentic.
The best comment, perhaps thro experience. I too wonder why the fuss you need a ‘special SOP’ to wash denims. I’ve been wearing jeans for more than 40 yrs, sometimes hand washed, machine wash. Its OK afterall jeans are made for rough wear not for attending a special dinner with the Queen.
Will washing them right away prevent them from bleeding? I was interesting in getting a pair of raw selvedge jeans but I wear white sneakers often and am afraid of them turning blue. I definitely wouldn't be the type to not wash them. I'd probably wash once a week or more if I get dirty/sweaty. In that case is it just better to get pre washed jeans instead of raw or is there still a benefit to getting raw denim?
@@idriece1926 The dye comes out in the wash, not when the jeans are dry. After washing them twice (for comfort) the dye won't rub off. Don't worry about that.
You could steam your raw jeans in steamer. It desinfects which means you won't stink and also save from being rippet
If jeans are to expensive to enjoy/wear them, what's the point in them then?
They are not expensive when you factor cost per wear.
I'm sure some of the denim I own will outlast me.
Keep me updated 😉
He are you from The Netherlands? I live here too!
Nope. I’m from Scotland and live in Berlin.
1. Always soak/wash raw unsanforized denim before 1st wear.
2. Wear as long as possible before washing. If you start to see your crotch starting to rip, wash your jeans.
3. Turn them inside out, wash, then air dry.
4. Machine wash is okay. I usually machine wash after having washed them 3 times by hand
5. Enjoy them
Good synopsis.
by the time the crotch starts tearing they are borderline dead....
will machine washing affect them?
do you soak sanforized before 1st wear?
Fading jeans is a journey as well as a destination. Enjoy.
This is the first denim video that I have seen, posted by someone with some common sense.
Surely people do not need a degree in science to know that dirt and grit rips any fabric apart.
Sweat, other body fluids and skin cells, along with spilled food are all alive with bacteria. When they have finished lunch, most of these bacteria enjoy some denim for afters. To make matters worse, after lunch, they do not run off to find another pair of jeans. Instead they die, making matters still worse.
Denim should normally maintain a moisture content the same as the air in a ventilated house, so baking them will obviously damage the denim. However too much moisture will result in molds that destroy cotton.
Washing too hot, with powerful biological detergents or chlorinated bleach will also shorten the life of denim.
In a nutshell, it is simply a balance, dictated by how often, along with where and what you wear the jeans for. Their is no one solution that applies to everyone.
PS, for denim heads. Follow my advice, stop leaving dirt and grease everywhere you sit, along with making the settee smell as if it has come from a pig farm and you will discover that not every girl you meet runs for the hills. 😊😊😊
Thanks mate.
@@CeeAreDee I am glad that you liked my light hearted reply.
I left it on the computer while we had dinner and Jane added the last paragraph before she clicked 'reply'.
where's the hat from>
Vetra:)
So, do wash them, but don't wash them?
To be honest I filmed that so long ago I can’t remember exactly what I said. My current opinion is do wash. Inside out. Relatively regularly.
@@CeeAreDee 🤣👍🏼
Yep... I've been breakin' in 501's for decades!!! Haahaahaahaa! Ya learn when to break in a new pair..............when the ones ya got on are gettin' a bit faded! LOL
Nice. Living and learning. 🙌🏻
where are you from?)
🏴 Scotland 😊
Good advice as ever! Def agree with your advice on not over thinking it and using common sense! ... On one blog a guy was asking advice on how to get the smell of dog 💩 out of his jeans... you wash them you filthy animal!! 😂
bahahaham Mikey, I think I read the same thing. Yeah, folk get a little bit nuts with this stuff.
If your jeans always tear at the same place, why don't you reinforce them in that place when they are new. And, you should darn them as soon as you see a white string. They are GOING to tear soon if you see the raw white cotton fraying.
Denim doesn't "dry out and get brittle". That's a strange notion.
The reason denim needs to be washed is that the accumulation of fats, skin cells, salt from sweat and other stuff causes denim to decompose both chemically as well as physically.
4:11 ah good old washing them the right way round. I can't really afford raw denim (as I'm a bit of a rough cunt), but after moving to a rich neighbourhood on the other side of the world theres an abundance of posh folk buying raw denim, wearing them once, washing them, getting horrible lines then donating them to there local charities. That's when your boy picks them up for 15/20 dollars haha!
Haha. I gotta find out where you shop!
People...wash your damn jeans. Don’t have access to a tub so I bought a large plastic tub and washed the jeans in there after 70 wears with natural denim soap.
I like your watch. Not a rolex, right? It's just look more rough and better.
haha, its one of those Folex homage brands called Steinhart. I dont trust myself with 5000 bucks on my arm
@@CeeAreDee you’ve got flair, suits you
In my experience, the main cause of crotch blowout is machine washing not friction. The is due to the scissoring action of the legs on the washing machine. When I stopped machine washing, crotch blowout went away. I have 3 to 5 year old jeans with no crotch blowout. I had the same brands experience crotch blowout in 1 to 2 years when I machine washed them.
Hey Gerry. That's interesting to hear... Ive never experienced any negative results from washing. The crotch blew out anyway before I washed in some cases. I just roll with it as a thing for my denims.
I wash my raw levis in my back yard, I use a water hose with a sprayer and soap. I wish then it was a car Lolol
Haha, no back yard in Berlin... I just stick to my washing machine ;)
I boil all my denim
How come?
6. Don't put your jeans in the dryer.
😂😂😂 a lot of men's denim gets crotch holes if they dont wash due to the acidity of the urine that drips out after they piss
I prefer "getting the shrink out" completely before wearing. I know people who have spent months breaking in raw denim, then washed them, and they shrunk so much they were unwearable. They wasted both time and money on a failed experiment. Wash hot when new.
Yeah. I tend to agree with you there.