Washing jeans less often can reduce water use, experts say

CNN Underscored reports experts recommend washing jeans about every 10 wears and using spot treatment, airing and short machine cycles as alternatives; Levi's research found consumer care habits account for roughly 23% of a pair's lifecycle water use.

CNN Underscored published an Earth Week piece examining how often people wash denim and why it matters. The article cites Levi's research and interviews with laundry and textile experts. The reporter also tested a no-wash approach by wearing a pair of 100% cotton jeans daily for three weeks and tried several wash-free cleaning methods. The discussion centers on preserving denim, reducing water use and practical ways people address stains and odors. Key points: - Levi's 2018 research is reported to show that consumer care habits account for about 23% of the water used over the life cycle of a pair of 501 jeans. - Multiple experts quoted in the story recommend roughly 10 wears between machine washes for many jeans. - The reporter's three-week, daily-wear experiment left the jeans without strong odors but with a looser fit over time. - No-wash approaches described include spot treating (placing a towel inside the garment, using a stain remover and a bristle brush, then blotting), airing out or steaming, and using short machine cycles when a wash is necessary. - The article reports that freezing jeans is not effective for cleaning, that spraying cheap vodka was described by an expert as a way to remove odor but left a sterile scent, and that experts warn tumble drying can alter fit and weaken denim fibers. Summary: Experts and the reporter say that washing jeans less often and relying on spot treatment and air-drying can help preserve fabric and reduce the water and energy used in a pair's lifecycle; Levi's studies cited in the article suggest substantial reductions when washing frequency is lowered. Undetermined at this time.