Why Do Jeans Ripple, Pucker or Wrinkle in the Wash?
After ruining more than one pair of jeans, 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.
Heat Deteriorates the Lycra in Your Jeans
(These days, most jeans aren’t 100 percent cotton.) And they often have a bit of Lycra (or elastane) blended in so they have just the right amount of stretch. But here is the problem: Lycra doesn’t like heat. In fact, it kind of hates it.
At high temps in the washer or dryer, Lycra begins to degrade. When that happens, the denim surrounding it begins to warp, as well. And that’s why you’re going to see those ripples or puckering in random spots, rather than an overall shrinkage, as is the case with cotton. After Lycra has lost its elasticity there’s really no turning back.
Washing jeans excessively also deteriorates the fibers over time. And for some reason, most of us are washing them far more than we need to. In fact, experts recommend washing jeans much less often than you’d think, because overwashing can compromise their longevity.
The Washer is Twisting Then Stretching the Fabric
Even if heat isn’t the problem, though, the way jeans move around inside the washer can be. Consider — your jeans aren’t just plopped in for a little soak. They’re being thrown around, contorted, stretched in different directions. It’s even worse if you overload your washing machine and everything gets all tangled up.
Stretch denim is particularly prone to this. When the fabric is tugged in various directions when it’s damp, some areas remain taut while others pull in. The result? That beautiful warped, wavy effect that ages your jeans by 10 years overnight.
