If you have bought a new denim jeans or jacket, or have secured one from the back of your wardrobe just in time for cold weather, you may have a piece that is too rigid. You are not alone in this woe, and lucky for you, you do not have to put up with scratchy apparel. Not when you have this guide!
In this guide, we will talk about all the different ways on how to soften jeans. You will be enjoying a cozy and stylish fashion staple in no time.
How to Soften Jeans: Why Do You Have to Deal with Stiff Fabric?
Before we break down the different ways how to make jeans softer, why not tackle the reason for that familiar rigid feeling in denim? Usually, people buy a piece that is soft and becomes stiff after the first wash. Here are some facts you need to know about how new jeans are soft, and how they don’t remain so.
- The jeans that you buy are treated at the end of production to be soft and supple to touch
and wear. - Once you wash it, that conditioning layer that makes denim soft strips off and leaves behind stiff fabric.
- Sometimes, it is not the washing process itself, but how you wash denim that matters in the resulting texture.
For jeans and jackets made out of denim that you purchase brand-new, the best way to avoid or at least put off the pending roughness is care. Read the label carefully and follow the wash, dry, and storage tips. Steer clear of hot water and harsh detergents when you wash anything made out of denim.
As for denim that already came stiff, maybe because it is used, maybe due to its natural texture, there are ways to correct the issue. Read on to learn some simple, hassle-free methods of how to soften denim.
Method #1: Use an Eco-Friendly Fabric Softener
Fabric softener helps maintain various fabrics, and it is a quick and easy way how to soften denim jeans. When jeans are kept damp or during the break-in process, the fibers can become stiff and feel rough.
Lucky for you, fabric softeners can help soften those fibers and restore the comfort of your jeans. To enjoy the effects of these, just add a small amount as given on the label. If you need a little extra help with stiff jeans, try turning them inside out before washing them. As a result, the fabric softener can work on the fibers from both sides, giving you a gentler texture.
Tip: If you are not in favor of using store-bought fabric softener or you are running low, you can mix salt with water before you wash your denim. If you do opt for a store-bought product, go for something eco-friendly that is also safer for your jeans in the long run.
Method #2: Distilled White Vinegar Solution
White vinegar has long been hailed as the hero of cleaning. It makes glass streaks go away like magic, a mixture with dish soap is an all-purpose cleaner, and so on. Another great use of white vinegar as a life hack is for those looking for how to soften jeans.
The type of white vinegar we are talking about here is the household vinegar, the kind you use in cooking. Ultra-acidic white vinegar for industrial use vinegar is not safe for any kind of fabric.
Mix one to eight parts of vinegar and water, and check that the container you use is clean. You can soak the denim in the solution for a few hours, though an overnight soak is ideal for too-stiff fabric.
Vinegar has acetic acid which will break down buildup and make the fabric feel softer. This eco- friendly method not only softens the denim but also helps maintain the color of your beloved jeans. Plus, this pliable fabric will also not let any hair or lint in the wash to cling on.
Method #3: Use a Hair Conditioning Treatment
It may sound strange, but your hair conditioner can work well to lessen the rigidity of denim fibers. The science is simple enough: this hair product moisturizes and softens your strands. Likewise, it hydrates fabric by covering the fiber and making it feel gentler. Silicones and other hydrating agents in the conditioner form a layer on the fabric that lessens friction.
To make your denim softer, combine warm water with hair product, making sure it is evenly mixed. Put the piece of denim clothing in this DIY solution for half an hour so that the product can soak well within the fibers. Once you are done with the soak, rinse the jeans well with cold water. Then, wash your denim in clear warm water on the gentle setting. Make sure that you air dry your jeans or jacket so that you do not risk making it stuff again.
When it comes to ‘how to soften denim’, this may be an unusual way to make your clothes relaxed. However, it is an easy hack that is also present in nearly every home. If you do not want the product to remain on your jeans forever, you can always wash them after donning the fabric once.
Method #4: Sanding the Stiffness Away
How to make jeans softer when you do not want to use any solutions, natural or chemical? Consider sanding your jeans to create a worn look and feel. Sandpaper breaks down the fabric and relaxes the form of the denim fibers, leading to a comfy texture.
The process strips away some of the outer layers, making the jeans feel softer like you have been using these for a while. That said, do not use any kind of sandpaper on thin fabric, as it can easily cause tears and holes.
Pay attention to every step to avoid over-sanding when you opt for this method for how to soften stiff jeans. Turn your pants or jacket inside out and place it on a flat surface to handle the fabric easily. Use zero-grit paper to sand the jeans, using gentle motions that go back and forth. Don’t panic if you notice the cotton fibers start to clump together, as this is part of ‘shedding’ away the stiffness.
Move gently as you scrape along the fabric, and brush off any loose fibers before you focus on the hems. Once you are done sanding, give your piece of clothing a good shake.
Method #5: ‘Beat’ Denim to Improve Pliability
If you want to know how to soften stiff jeans using a physical method that is less invasive, ‘beating’ the fabric is a great way to make it happen You can beat your jeans, jacket, or any other stiff item made out of denim against the corner of a table. Make sure to use firm but careful motions, and address plain fabric areas to avoid damaging any buttons or zippers.
Another approach is to use a wooden sports bat to ease the fibers. Fold the pants and put them on a flat surface. Take the bat and pound the fabric till it feels more supple. A wooden rolling pin will also suffice if you need something heavy but smooth to add pressure to the denim fibers without any tears and holes.
Looking for an effortless way to beat away the stiffness from any kind of rigid fabric, such as denim and corduroy? Add tennis balls to the dryer, at least 3 balls spaced out when you dry your jeans in the machine. The hard but curved surface of the balls will help soften the fabrics and leave them safe and sound.
Method #6: Roll and Twist Dried Fabric
When you wash and dry your jeans, that fresh state is when you can work on the fibers easily. Hence the reason rolling newly laundered jeans is one of the proven ways how to soften jeans. Take a fully dry and warm denim article of clothing and roll it into a compact ball. Make your way up from the hem to the sleeves/waistband, and make sure you create the smallest ball possible.
Next, take any long strip of fabric to secure the rolled denim. Let it cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Rolling denim clothing that just came out of the laundry cycle helps stretch the material for a softer feel. About website
Tip: A great way to make your jeans soft without any extra effort is to simply ‘break in’ your new jeans. Like breaking into shoes, this will be some days of discomfort, but your sacrifice will result in jeans that will become pliable and enjoyable.
Wear your denim at least 3 to 4 times a week, best before you plan on jumping, running, and twisting a lot. Your daily chores or even light cardio at home are ways to break in your jeans while staying diverted from the roughness which will be obvious in the start.
Method #7: A Different Washing Method
There are lots of chemical and physical ways that work when it comes to how to soften jeans. But the simplest method to make the stiffness go away may just be the way you wash your denim. How about washing your rigid jeans or jacket, only this time try a different approach?
If you have a washer with a smart function, use a fabric setting that is ideal for stiff denim. The washer setting for cotton may be ideal. Make sure your jeans are inside out before you place them inside the washer. Run your wash cycle with the denim in an otherwise empty load, with no detergent or hot water. Warm water temp may be fine, especially if you have just one piece of clothing in the machine.
When drying your jeans, opt for a low heat setting here as well to avoid shrinking your jeans. This a necessary step for jeans that have high stretch capacity, and heat can ruin the fabric integrity. Then again, you can keep he dryer setting to hot for more softness, despite some shrinking.
Don’t forget to iron your clothing after the washer/dryer cycle is complete. Carry out ironing when your jeans or jacket is slightly damp, and make sure the iron is at medium heat since a high temp will also make the denim stiff again.
Bottom Line:
The dilemma of how to soften jeans is one that needs the know-how of how denim fabric works, plus some care. Stiff jeans can be annoying, but it is your luck that softening denim at home is not very tricky.
Don’t forget: the quality of the jeans matters. Some brands use inferior denim to cut costs, and you end up with a poor deal. By choosing jeans from a reliable vendor, you can be sure that you are purchasing quality denim. Typically, top-rated denim is softer than the cheaper varieties you will find anywhere.
Focus on the details when you go for any of the methods, and you will quickly achieve a more comfortable feel without causing any unwanted distress or damage. All the techniques for softening denim are both effective and safe, and most of these are easily accessible as they use usual household products and tools.
One of more of these methods is bound to work for you. Just remember that the hacks and tips for treating denim might alter the look and feel of your jeans. Thus, it may be ideal to practice on a cheaper pair before applying these methods to high-end jeans.