Wrinkle Resistant?

There used to be a Rit product I used to fade and soften denim fabric called "Soft 'n Fade" or words to that effect, but I can't find it online, so maybe it's no longer produced. Googling for "stone wash denim" finds a bunch of sites, but mostly they are industry specific, like:

You might try experimenting with using *diluted* chlorine bleach, but in addition to removing color that might damage the fibers. Or, you can just be patient, your older softer jeans probably got that way after *many* washings. ;-)

Beverly

You might try using a liquid fabric softener. Be careful and only used the amount listed on the label---or even a little less, not more. If you use too much, they may become water resistant. Barbara in SC and now FL

I've done a little online research since I wrote this and discovered that Levi's has it's jeans made overseas now. I examined the inner labels on my jeans and found the older jeans were made in the USA and the new jeans were made in Colombia. Also I read online that foreign fabric manufacturers have been chemically treating cotton to make it more wrinkle resistant. Putting 2 and 2 together, I conclude the newer, foreign made jeans have treated cotton while the older jeans were untreated. The chemicals are cured at 300 degrees so I'm guessing a hot wash and dryer cycle are not having much effect on the feel of the fabric.

Fred

Well.... I knew they weren't made in the States any more, and I have noticed some differences in them too. The only other thing I can think to try would be to acid wash them. Sounds dramatic doesn't it??? I've done the process with silks before, but not blue jeans. Real simple. Add 3 C of white vinegar to a full washer set for hot wash. Dry completely after wash is finished.

With silk, that can be done up to 3 times to get the softness you're after without damaging the fabric. Now, what it will do to blue jeans.... I have no clue. But was the only other thing I could think of to offer you. You're not looking for a change in color (like with color out) and you would like to get some wear out of the jeans (soaking them in bleach will soften them but it will also do a lot of damage to the fibers.) Try one pair and see what you get.

Good luck!!

Sharon

Long ago when I wanted to 'wear in' a new pair of jeans, I would drive over them a few times with my car! :)

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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I wonder if lemon juice might achieve a similar effect? Do you know? Or would it tend to bleach but not soften? I do know that lemon juice is one of the few things that can be used on silk for stains. I do not know how it affects color, though, either on silk or cotton.

Phae

Try tumble-drying them with a pair of old trainers - might kick them into softness for you! :)

Try Wranglers for your next purchase.

I'd like to thank everyone for their replies.

I'll try the acid wash on a pair and I have some stronger solvents I might try too.

I have a pair of Wranglers--too tight on my aging derriere :-)

I like the idea of driving over them!

Fred

Yikes, do be careful with "solvents". Many (most?) are extremely combustible.

That's a lot of lemons. Citric acid is more or less the same stuff and it's cheaper, easier, and less sticky. It may be hard to get hold of because heroin addicts use it to cut the stuff: apparently it gives a more intense high by inducing acidosis. They're so inventive, aren't they? The local pharmacists are reluctant to sell it now, even to placid-looking middle-aged women who want to use it for lemonade (ie me) but the local Pakistani grocer has it in 50g packets near the spices.

Citric acid is used to fix dyes on protein fibres so if it affects the colour at all it should make it more stable. On cellulose, I'm not sure. It seems to be used in the "durable press" process: see here:

(and them see if you can tell me what it means :-) To soften jeans, I would wash and tumble dry them several times with a pair of old sneakers and/or a couple of tennis balls.

Sally

In the US, we have bottled lemon juice. It's very cheap. I generally use real lemons for culinary purposes but the bottled stuff is fine for other uses. I used it once to get a rust stain from the floor of my shower when nothing else would work. Amazing. That's why I thought it might affect color but I really had no idea--- it was just a thought off the top of my head. :)