Should You Freeze Your Jeans?

Finding the perfect pair of jeans doesn’t come easy, and nothing’s worse than your favorite denim suddenly feeling too snug after a spin through the washer and dryer. That’s why some people opt out of washing their denim entirely, instead refreshing them with unconventional methods, including freezing them. This trick supposedly kills off stench-producing bacteria, but does it work? 

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How the Freezing Jeans Myth Got Started

Many denim manufacturers warn against washing their products excessively (or altogether). Take, for example, Levi Strauss & Co., which has long warned customers that washing machines can fade denim’s indigo hue and cause shrinkage. For some time, the brand advised consumers to place jeans in a freezer whenever they began to smell to kill off odor-causing bacteria. However, the denim experts at Levi Strauss now agree with researchers that freezing pants to remove germs isn’t effective and recommend keeping your jeans out of the freezer.

Why Freezing Jeans Doesn’t Work

While extremely cold temperatures can kill bacteria, a home freezer is unlikely to get the job done. Many germs exposed to cold temps can survive until -80 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, most home freezers are kept at around 0 degrees, far warmer than the pathogen-destroying requirement. Placing your jeans in a freezer does stun bacteria and temporarily immobilizes them, though once denim is removed from the freezer and warmed up, the germs continue growing. Fortunately, the majority of germs that latch onto clothing aren’t dangerous. According to researchers at the University of Alberta, most of the bacteria found on worn jeans come from our bodies, particularly skin cells and sweat.

How Often Should You Wash Jeans?

How often your jeans go through a spin cycle is a personal choice. Unlaundered jeans can catch and hold onto bacteria picked up throughout the day — such as pollen, dirt, and food particles — so you should launder them occasionally. Many dermatologists and researchers say that washing after three to 10 wears — or if the pants are visibly dirty — is sufficient to remove the bacteria and grime buildup that can cause skin irritation without over-laundering. 

How to Properly Care for Jeans

Regardless of how often you choose to wash your jeans, you can take a few preventative measures to help them retain their shape and color after wash day. Spot-treating stains as they happen can help your denim stay fresh between washes, and hand-washing pants in cold water is more gentle on the fabric than the washing machine. Still, denim has a reputation for being tough and durable, so it’s entirely OK to toss your jeans in the washing machine. If you choose to do so, turn your jeans inside out before washing in cold water to help them maintain their shape and color, and skip the dryer altogether — hanging your blue jeans to air dry prevents shrinkage and keeps them looking brand new, regardless of when you bought them. 

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