Why Do Jeans Ripple, Pucker, or Wrinkle in the Wash?
After ruining more than one pair myself, I did some digging to find out what’s really going on. It turns out those fibers are doing a lot when they go for a spin in the washer and dryer.
1. Heat Deteriorates the Lycra in Your Jeans
These days, most jeans aren’t 100% cotton. They usually contain a bit of Lycra (or elastane) to give them that perfect amount of stretch. But here’s the problem: Lycra hates heat.
At high temperatures in the washer or dryer, Lycra begins to break down. When that happens, the denim fibers around it start to warp too. That’s why you end up with those strange ripples or puckers in random spots — not uniform shrinkage like with pure cotton.
Once Lycra loses its elasticity, there’s really no going back.
And it’s not just heat — washing jeans too often wears down the fibers over time. Most of us wash them far more than necessary. Experts actually recommend washing jeans much less frequently than you’d think, since overwashing shortens their lifespan and ruins that perfect fit.
2. The Washer Twists and Stretches the Fabric
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