Care guide: raw denim
Soak, wear, wait. A practical guide to breaking in unsanforized selvedge without ruining it, from first soak to first repair.
- Published
- 9 Oct 2026
- Reading
- 5 min
- Topic
- Care
Raw denim is cloth that has never been washed. It's stiff, dark and slightly shiny, and it will shrink. Treat it right for the first six months and it fades to the shape of your life.
1. Soak before you hem
Our Raw Selvedge Jean is unsanforized, so it shrinks about 7% in length and 3% in the waist. Soak it in cold water for an hour, hang it to dry, then wear it for a week before you get it hemmed. Every store hems for free.
2. Wear it, a lot
- 1Wear them every day for at least three months.
- 2Spot clean with a damp cloth instead of washing.
- 3Hang them outside overnight to air them out.
- 4Expect some indigo on light shoes and sofas at first.
The best fades come from boring routines. Same pocket for your keys, same way you sit on the bike.
3. The first wash
After about six months, turn them inside out and wash cold with a little mild detergent, alone. Hang dry. Never tumble. If the crotch or knee starts to thin, bring them in early: a small repair now beats a big one later, and repairs are free for life.
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