Washing Jeans of Unknown History

[generic_guy]

I've looked through the encyclopedia and I don't *think* anyone has discussed this so...

I've just bought some pre-worn Warehouse 1001XX from eBay and I'm just wondering about the best way to wash them, given that I don't know if they've been soaked/washed before.

I'm guessing they have been washed once as they are still slightly "fluffy" but obviously not new.

I'm thinking I'll wash them inside out at 30 degrees with a small amount of normal non-bio washing powder, then wear them for a bit while they dry (I don't want them to shrink).

Does that sound OK?

[denimdestroyedmylife]

i'd hot wash them inside out with DR BRONNERS if you have some shrinkage room to spare. sterilize the mystery.

[damnIam]

2nd, sterilize the hell out of any mystery.

[generic_guy]

I'm not sure what the UK equivalent of Dr Bronners would be (and I'd quite like to wash them tonight so I can airdry them for Friday), they're still very dark so I'm thinking I could risk the washing powder I have in.

Do you think 40 degrees would be hot enough? The waist is already a tad more than 2 inches smaller than the tag size so do you think they've maybe finished shrinking?

Thanks for the advice.

[tweeds]

probably wouldn't be any risk at all to use regular washing powder, unless your regular is some extra strong solution

they're warehouse and a good pair of jeans, i'm sure most of the indigo will hold over a wash or two.

40 degrees sounds about right to me?

[denimdestroyedmylife]

hmmm... i'd stay away from conventional washing powder, there are bleaching agents and such. some castile soap should be easy to find in the UK, though i've no idea what brands to look for. if nothing else, a hot water wash w/ no detergent should do it.

but ultimately, they're just jeans, so whatevs.

[Chicken]

I'm not sure what the UK equivalent of Dr Bronners would be

Look for any "castile" soap. No bleach, no phosphate.

Do you think 40 degrees would be hot enough? The waist is already a tad more than 2 inches smaller than the tag size so do you think they've maybe finished shrinking?

Sounds like the shrinking's pretty much done. If it was me at that point, I'd just do a warm wash, just to clean out the jeans.

[horriblyjollyjinx]

I'm not sure what the UK equivalent of Dr Bronners would be (and I'd quite like to wash them tonight so I can airdry them for Friday), they're still very dark so I'm thinking I could risk the washing powder I have in.

Do you think 40 degrees would be hot enough? The waist is already a tad more than 2 inches smaller than the tag size so do you think they've maybe finished shrinking?

Thanks for the advice.

can you get Y3 in the UK? You could use that.

It doesn't really matter, though.

[generic_guy]

Checked the only shop I can get to ATM and they only had normal powder so I'll risk that. Will do them at 40 degrees then wear them wet for a bit.

Thanks all for your help. Hopefully they'll be Ok and appearing in the WAYWT thread at some point

[mizanation]

you can always use woolite. it works great on my jeans. just a capful is enough, and i'm sure you can get it anywhere.

i would do a cold wash, but that's just me.

[Whodinihimself]

You could also buy some Febreeze antibacterial spray and give the insides a good wetting ... that should take care of any lingering cooties

[generic_guy]

Did them at 40 with normal non-bio and they've come out perfect. Don't seem to have lost much (if any) indigo and they haven't really shrunk. Planning to leave it a couple of months before I next wash (barring them getting filthy).