How to Soften Denim? 9 Methods to Make It Comfortable to Wear

You can soften denim clothing in a few different ways to make it more comfortable to wear.

Don’t press the reset button just yet if you’ve found the ideal pair of jeans for you but they still leave you feeling uneasy or if your old favorites aren’t as soft as they once were. Fortunately, there are techniques you can use to soften your old jeans and break in your new ones.

This blog post will demonstrate easy techniques for softening denim. You can transform your worn-out, stiff denim fabric into a soft, cozy garment in just a few quick steps.

How to Soften Denim?

Here are nine simple methods.

Wash With Salt

Denim can be loosened and softened by adding a cup of salt to the washing machine during the wash cycle.

Here are what to do:

1. 1 cup of table salt should be added to the washing machine. For accurate measurement, use a measuring cup.
2. Set the washing machine to a brief, warm-water wash cycle. Little water is used during short cycles. For this project, the washing machine doesn’t have to be completely full.
3. Denim should be placed in the washer. Allow the cycle to complete without adding any additional clothing.
4. Take the jeans out of the washer and dry them on low heat. When the cycle of drying is finished, take the denim off.

Wash It in Vinegar

Your washing machine will become softer by adding a cup of vinegar to help the fibers break down.

Here are what to do:

1. Your washing machine needs one cup of white vinegar. For exact amounts, use a measuring spoon.
2. Select a brief cycle in warm water on the washing machine.
3. Place the jacket in the washer and let it finish.
4. Take out of the washer, then air dry your clothes on low heat.

Just make sure to wash it separately or with other items made of natural fibers like cotton or linen.

Wash in Warm Water

Also useful for softening the fabric is a 30-minute soak in a solution of water and conditioner. After soaking, make sure to wash the denim separately from other items once more.

Here are what to do:

1. Add 1 cup of fabric conditioner to a bathtub or sizable bucket of warm water.
2. Pour the mixture over the jacket and let it soak there for 30 minutes.
3. Take it out of the soak and wash it by itself in the washer on a short cycle with warm water.
4. Dry clothes in the dryer on low heat.

Use a Fabric Softener

You can soften your dryer by adding fabric softener sheets to it. When you’re done washing it, simply throw it in with your jacket and let the dryer do its thing.

Here are what to do:

1. A fabric softener sheet should be placed in the dryer with the jacket after washing and drying it.
2. Let it dry in the dryer until done, then take it out.
3. For added softness, you can also directly spray on a fabric softener and let it air dry.

Soak in Baking Soda

Baking soda might be the answer if you’re looking for a natural way to soften your denim. Denim can be softened without using harsh chemicals by using baking soda, a natural fabric softener.

Just combine your regular detergent and 1/2 cup of baking soda in your washing machine to use it. To increase the softening power, add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Put in the Dryer

Before moving on to the next stage of the softening process, you must dry your jeans. Don’t worry; you’ll wash them once more to remove the vinegar.

Denim should be dried completely in the dryer while still inside out. Use the lowest heat setting if denim shrinkage is a concern.

Dry With Tennis Balls

Add four new (clean) tennis balls to the dryer along with your freshly washed jeans. The tennis balls will give your jeans a strenuous “massage” as they go through the dryer cycle, helping to soften the denim fabric for a worn-in feel.

If your jeans have a lot of stretch, especially, make sure to dry them on low heat to avoid shrinking. Alternatively, if some shrinkage is okay with you, you can choose the hottest setting, which will further soften the jeans.

Hang It Outside

It will soften if you hang it outside in the open air. Check the weather first to avoid getting a wet jacket, though!

Roll Jeans into a Ball

Roll your jeans tightly once they are fully dry and still warm from the dryer.

1. Beginning at the hems, roll tightly from there up to the waistband (much like you would a sleeping bag). The objective is to roll the jeans into the tiniest, tightest ball you can manage.
2. After that, leave the jean ball to cool for 30 to 60 minutes by tying it with a bathrobe belt or a long piece of fabric to keep it compressed.

When you roll your jeans in this manner while they’re still warm from the dryer, you stretch the denim and loosen the fabric’s tightly knit fibers for a softening effect.

It is easy to soften different types of fabrics if you read our Fabric Soften Guide first.

How to Break in a Denim Jacket Fast?

A denim jacket is a staple piece of clothing that can be worn all year long. But if you’re new to wearing denim, you might be curious about how quickly a denim jacket can break in. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. At first, just wear it inside. This will facilitate the fabric’s softening and body-molding process. In addition, you’ll have a chance to get accustomed to the denim’s weight and feel.
2. Don your denim jacket and get moving. You can break it in even faster if you wear it when you jog or take the dog for a walk. Because of the motion, the fabric will become softer and the fit will become more cozy.
3. Your denim jacket serves as a bed. Okay, perhaps not each night. But one or two times should be sufficient. This will aid in the fabric becoming incredibly comfortable and really molding to your body.
4. Your denim jacket will benefit from a thorough wash to further soften the material. Just be sure to wash it by itself the first time to stop any color bleeding.
5. Wear it confidently, and that’s it. Your denim jacket will get more comfortable the more you wear it.

Therefore, wear it with pride and relish your new wardrobe essential!

How to Soften a White Denim Jacket?

The entire year can be worn with a white denim jacket because of its adaptability. However, if you’ve had your jacket for a while, it might feel a little stiff. Here’s how to re-create the new-looking feel of a white denim jacket.

A white denim jacket can be softened in a few different ways. One is to put it through hot water and mild fabric softener wash. The fabric will feel softer and looser as a result of this.

Another option is to dry the jacket for a short period of time on low heat. Additionally, this will soften the fabric. If your jacket is still a little stiff, you might try hanging it in the shower while you take a hot shower.

The fabric will become softer and more supple thanks to the steam. Your white denim jacket will be suitable to wear once you’ve given it some softening. And you can use this adaptable piece for years to come while still enjoying its comfort and style.

How to Soften a Denim Dress?

Soaking in a solution of water and fabric softener is one method for softening a denim dress. By doing so, the fabric will become more flexible and any stiffness will be released. Washing denim in a washing machine on a delicate cycle is another method for making it softer.

If you want, you can also add a fabric softener to the wash cycle. Try putting the dress in the dryer on a low heat setting if you still think it’s too stiff. To further soften the fabric, add a dryer sheet to the cycle.

How to Soften a Raw Denim?

Several options are available if you want to make your raw denim less stiff. The first thing you can do is soak your jeans for about an hour in a tub of cold water. The fabric will become more supple and comfortable to wear as a result.

To help break in your jeans, you can also try wearing them around the house for a few hours. Last but not least, you can try putting your jeans in the freezer for a few hours if you’re still having issues. It might sound strange, but doing this can actually help the fabric shrink and become more malleable.

Does Denim Soften Over Time?

Yes, denim softens with use. This is due to the fabric losing some stiffness and gradually degrading.

It’s crucial to remember that not all denim softens the same way or at the same rate, though. As a result, after some wear, some pairs of jeans might feel softer than others.

Final Thoughts: Soften Denim

You know how uncomfortable and rigid a stiff denim jacket can be if you’ve ever owned one. You can use salt, vinegar, fabric softener, and other remedies to make your denim jacket softer.

Remember that anything you do to the fabric of your jeans at home could change how they look and feel, so try these methods on a less expensive pair of jeans before using them on more expensive designer pairs.

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