Our customers love the denim pieces we sell at BIBICO, as it is drapey, versatile and timeless everyday wear.
Denim is natural, durable and can last for many years – and still look fabulous! (Just take a look in all the vintage shops to see how long denim lasts!).
These days, many more people are considering the environmental impact of their clothing choices, and denim is a wonderful long-lasting investment if looked after well. Making a choice to buy fewer items, but better quality is a great way to make a positive change. We can look to a more sustainable future if we keep our clothes lasting longer by knowing the best way to care for them. It’s a win win!
So, how best to wash and care for your denim pieces to preserve the softness, freshness and lovely colour for a very long time…?
Here goes!
LESS IS MORE - Avoid over-washing denim and it will preserve the colour for so much longer. Most experts suggest washing every 8 to 10 wears and just spot clean with a damp cloth and a mild detergent in between washes. This is also kinder to the environment and will help your water bill!
TURN INSIDE OUT - When you do need to wash your denim, always turn inside out. This is a simple, often forgotten, way to protect the colour from fading and lessens direct contact with detergents.
DON’T OVERLOAD THE MACHINE - It is best to hand wash your denim, but if you do need to use the machine, give your denim enough room to move freely. Overloading can cause friction and increase the risk of damage.
USE MILD DETERGENT - A mild detergent (biodegradable is best) that’s formulated for darker colours can help prevent fading and it is best to avoid fabric softeners as they can leave a residue on denim which could affect the appearance. Again, less is more…you do not need a lot of detergent as too much can lead to a build up and create an odour.
COLD AND GENTLE - Set your washing machine temperature to cold. Hot water increases the chances of shrinkage and loss of colour. Also set your wash cycle to the delicate setting to reduce wear and tear on the denim. Friction is nasty!
Now we’ve got all that sorted, what about drying? This is just as important!
GIVE THE MACHINE A MISS - This is a no brainer…the key is to AIR DRY! Heat can cause shrinkage and damage the denim, but drying naturally helps preserve the fit, colour and the fabric.
Hang your garment up or lay flat, avoiding direct sunlight. Another great option is to use a drying rack, which allows air to circulate around the fabric and speeds up the drying. Again, this is better for the environment – and for your pocket! Try to keep plenty of air circulating around the drying items as a moist atmosphere can lead to slow drying and an odour.
SPEAKING OF ODOUR! – Have you ever bought a new piece of denim clothing and noticed a nasty odour? This is often caused by chemicals used in the manufacturing process to prevent mould, bacteria, mildew, and other substances that could damage the fabric during storage and shipping. For this reason, it is always a good idea to wash your denim before wearing. If you still find a smell troublesome, here are some handy tips to eliminate it!.
Fresh air is a marvel! Hanging your denim inside-out in the sunshine is a very effective way to reduce odours. UV light will break down chemicals that cause odours. It is important to turn your new denim inside-out though so it does not bleach. Spraying your denim with diluted vinegar can speed up the process too.
· Baking Soda is great for absorbing smells and works well with your clothes. Before washing your denim normally, soak in cold water with baking soda dissolved in it. This is a very natural way to combat chemical smells in fabric.
· White Vinegar is a miracle cleaner for pretty much everything! Thanks to its high-acidity, it naturally breaks down odour-causing substances. Mix white vinegar with cold water and soak your denim for 30-60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. This treatment also has the benefit of sealing in the fabric dyes.
· Oxygen bleach (Oxiclean) – unlike regular bleach - will work wonders on odours without bleaching the fabric. It gets deep within clothing fibres to remove smells. Follow the label on your oxygen bleach to create a water solution and soak your denim. Then, wash as normal.
· Castile Soap is a cleaner that uses chemistry to fight odours. Like baking soda, when combined with water it creates a reaction that helps strip odours from fabric. Hand wash your denim with this for a delicate method of removing odours.
Following these steps should keep your denim in tip top condition for a long time!
Hopefully you will get lots of wear over many years and be able to keep your denim pieces looking lovely. So lovely in fact, that you when you do fancy a change, you can then recycle them to another home and they can enjoy a new lease of life!
In search of a timeless denim piece?
These are the most popular denim styles of our current collection: Bea dress, Jane Midi Dress, Anya Blouse, Ava Blouse, Elsie Midi Skirt and our Anna Culottes.
Article By: Georgina Wormald
