3. Stretch Denim and Elastane Issues
For comfort and stretch, many contemporary jeans contain elastane, often known as spandex. Stretch denim is incredibly flexible, but after several washings, it may start to ripple. The outer layer may warp or pull unevenly because the synthetic fibers may shrink or degrade differently than the cotton.
Stretch is a crucial component of thin jeans and jeggings, so this is particularly apparent. After washing and drying, the variation in fiber behavior becomes increasingly noticeable over time.
4. Overloading the Washing Machine
If you stuff too many clothes into the washer, the denim doesn’t have enough room to move freely. This can cause twisting, bunching, and uneven agitation, which leads to wrinkling and ripple marks. Similarly, if the jeans get wrapped around other garments (like towels or hoodies), the twisting action can permanently affect the fabric’s shape.
5. Drying Mistakes
All of the aforementioned problems may worsen if tumble drying is done on high heat. Any shrinkage or distortion is permanently set into the fabric by the heat. Additionally, the fibers in the jeans grow brittle and are more prone to retain puckers and wrinkles if they are over-dried.
Although it might take longer, air drying jeans is considerably kinder and helps them keep their original form.
