Fashion
The jeans to wear this winter to cut drying time on laundry and keep damp at bay
IT’S that dreaded time of year again when the weather forces us to decorate our radiator with our smalls, hoping our clothes horse won’t buckle under the weight of our wet linen.
But what if the right pair of jeans could cut your drying time and lighten the load of your washing routine?
Woman fastening her jeans. Credit: Getty Images
Alex Econs, founder of custom printing company ICON Printing, is a fabric expert who specialises in custom and sustainable branded clothing.
And lucky for you he knows a thing or two about what fabrics to avoid this winter if you want a quick wash ‘n’ go laundry routine that keeps the condensation at bay.
According to BEKO, drying clothes indoors during winter is one of the leading causes of mould, increasing damp by 30 per cent. In some cases this can lead to asthma attacks and other nasty allergic reactions.
Although jeans are a common go-to for that warm winter wear, they often take an unforgivable amount of time to dry.
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This all comes down to the absorbency of their materials according to fabric expert Alex Econ.
He explains: “Thick fabrics made from natural materials, such as 100% cotton jeans, will take the longest to dry.”
But don’t ditch your denim just yet.
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Simply chopping in your heavy weight denim for a pair of stretchy ‘skinny’ jeans could cut your drying time tremendously.
Alex explains: “For clothing which dries the fastest, you should look to fabrics which are naturally good at repelling moisture, such as nylon and polyester.
“These materials are considered hydrophobic, meaning they won’t absorb as much water in the first place during washing and therefore will dry much quicker.”
So check your labels carefully and if you’re wondering what denim tops the list for the fastest drying time – Alex suggests: “Merino wool is considered the fastest drying as its fine fabric releases water easily”.
Another trick is to go for warmth not weight. Alex explains: “The weight of your item can also play a role in how fast it dries.
“Lightweight items like t-shirts will also dry far quicker than bulkier items.”
“As a rule of thumb, the thicker or more fabric there is, the longer it will take to dry.
White washing hangs and dries on the racks of a clothes horse in the light of a bay window. Credit: Getty Images
“This applies to jeans too. Denim is made from 100 per cent cotton which will take longer to dry than fabrics with synthetic properties.
“If your jeans have stretch in them then they will dry quicker.”
The best thing about all jeans, no matter the fabric, is that they hide a multitude of sins and you don’t have to wash them with every wear.
In fact Alex says: “Generally, the less you wash your jeans, the better.
“Not only do they take longer to dry but frequent washing of denim can lead to more wear and tear.”
Clothes hanging on a white radiator indoors in close-up. Credit: Getty Images
While there’s no hard and fast rule, the fabric expert suggests: “Washing your jeans after around eight-10 wears.
“Of course, if your jeans get stained or start to smell, this is the time to pop them in the wash!”
In recent years, the number of launderettes has fallen by more than a third, according to the National Association of the Launderette Industry (NALI). And with energy bills rising, tumble drying is a luxury many cannot afford.
Luckily you won’t need a tumble dryer this winter if you take up these tips.
Jeans of any kind are best to air-dry, especially if you want them to last according to Alex.
“To preserve the shape, colour and fit of your jeans, we would always suggest air-drying,” he reveals.
“However, if you’re tight for time, jeans can be partially machine-dried. Just be extra careful to take them out of the machine before they fully dry to avoid any shrinkage – pull them out about three quarters of the way through a gentle dry cycle.”
“Whether drying straight from the washing machine or from partially dry, avoid wrinkles forming by giving your jeans a little stretch, zipping and buttoning them up and hanging as flat as possible, or vertically by the waist.”
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ANTI AGING
I’m 52 & I love to wear sexy outfits & bikinis – people always ask if i’m single
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My abusive ex raped me while my parents were in the house, others must seek help
MYSTIC MEG
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‘IN LOVE’
I’m plus size & have perfect autumn going-out look, people want to raid my closet
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IT’S that dreaded time of year again when the weather forces us to decorate our radiator with our smalls, hoping our clothes horse won’t buckle under the weight of our wet linen.
But what if the right pair of jeans could cut your drying time and lighten the load of your washing routine?
Woman fastening her jeans. Credit: Getty Images
Alex Econs, founder of custom printing company ICON Printing, is a fabric expert who specialises in custom and sustainable branded clothing.
And lucky for you he knows a thing or two about what fabrics to avoid this winter if you want a quick wash ‘n’ go laundry routine that keeps the condensation at bay.
According to BEKO, drying clothes indoors during winter is one of the leading causes of mould, increasing damp by 30 per cent. In some cases this can lead to asthma attacks and other nasty allergic reactions.
Although jeans are a common go-to for that warm winter wear, they often take an unforgivable amount of time to dry.
MORE FROM FABULOUS
This all comes down to the absorbency of their materials according to fabric expert Alex Econ.
He explains: “Thick fabrics made from natural materials, such as 100% cotton jeans, will take the longest to dry.”
But don’t ditch your denim just yet.
Most read in Fabulous
Simply chopping in your heavy weight denim for a pair of stretchy ‘skinny’ jeans could cut your drying time tremendously.
Alex explains: “For clothing which dries the fastest, you should look to fabrics which are naturally good at repelling moisture, such as nylon and polyester.
“These materials are considered hydrophobic, meaning they won’t absorb as much water in the first place during washing and therefore will dry much quicker.”
So check your labels carefully and if you’re wondering what denim tops the list for the fastest drying time – Alex suggests: “Merino wool is considered the fastest drying as its fine fabric releases water easily”.
Another trick is to go for warmth not weight. Alex explains: “The weight of your item can also play a role in how fast it dries.
“Lightweight items like t-shirts will also dry far quicker than bulkier items.”
“As a rule of thumb, the thicker or more fabric there is, the longer it will take to dry.
White washing hangs and dries on the racks of a clothes horse in the light of a bay window. Credit: Getty Images
“This applies to jeans too. Denim is made from 100 per cent cotton which will take longer to dry than fabrics with synthetic properties.
“If your jeans have stretch in them then they will dry quicker.”
The best thing about all jeans, no matter the fabric, is that they hide a multitude of sins and you don’t have to wash them with every wear.
In fact Alex says: “Generally, the less you wash your jeans, the better.
“Not only do they take longer to dry but frequent washing of denim can lead to more wear and tear.”
Clothes hanging on a white radiator indoors in close-up. Credit: Getty Images
While there’s no hard and fast rule, the fabric expert suggests: “Washing your jeans after around eight-10 wears.
“Of course, if your jeans get stained or start to smell, this is the time to pop them in the wash!”
In recent years, the number of launderettes has fallen by more than a third, according to the National Association of the Launderette Industry (NALI). And with energy bills rising, tumble drying is a luxury many cannot afford.
Luckily you won’t need a tumble dryer this winter if you take up these tips.
Jeans of any kind are best to air-dry, especially if you want them to last according to Alex.
“To preserve the shape, colour and fit of your jeans, we would always suggest air-drying,” he reveals.
“However, if you’re tight for time, jeans can be partially machine-dried. Just be extra careful to take them out of the machine before they fully dry to avoid any shrinkage – pull them out about three quarters of the way through a gentle dry cycle.”
“Whether drying straight from the washing machine or from partially dry, avoid wrinkles forming by giving your jeans a little stretch, zipping and buttoning them up and hanging as flat as possible, or vertically by the waist.”
Most read in Fabulous
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