Ex-Levi’s CEO shares warning to anyone that washes their jeans

There aren't many things more devastating than getting ready for a big night out with your favourite pair of jeans and then suddenly spilling something down them.

Naturally, your first instinct then would be to throw them in the wash but the former CEO of Levi's has suggested that might not be the best idea.

Jeans have changed a lot over the years, with the skinnier ones seemingly out of fashion ever since those four lads posed in Birmingham in the tightest set of trousers known to man.

But flared jeans and baggy jeans are definitely still in, so long as they're not advertised by Sydney Sweeney, and there will be plenty of folks out there who are left unsure of the best way to maintain them.

You might want to think twice about washing your jeans in the machine (Getty Stock Image)

Charles 'Chip' Bergh, who worked as Levi's president and chief executive officer from September 2011 until January 2024, has previously revealed exactly how denim fans should be keeping their trousers in tip-top shape.

Speaking to CNBC, he said: “I never said don’t wash your jeans.

“True denim heads, people that really love their denim, will tell you to never put your denim into a washing machine. So that’s what I do.

“If I drop some curry on my jeans, I’m gonna clean it. But I’ll spot clean it. And if they get really gross you know, if I’ve been out sweating or something and they get really gross, I’ll wash them in the shower.”

Personally, I like to just throw them in the washing machine inside out and put it on a soft cycle, as I'm far too clumsy to spend time standing in the shower spot-cleaning every single stain that pops up on my usual pair.

Although this might not be the best idea as washing them too often can lead to them fading prematurely or losing their shape and fit.

Chip Bergh knows a thing or two about jeans (Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

And the Levi's website has some other strong nuggets of advice, which include doing up any zips or buttons and using the gentlest cycle in order to get the desired effect.

It also suggests that vinegar might be a great alternative to fabric softener, as it works to 'soften' denim 'naturally' and reduce any residue, even if it doesn't have the same flowery scent as you might want.

If you absolutely must wash your jeans then Levi's also suggests that doing it around once in every 10 wears, so maybe stop sticking them in the wash every time they get a bit mucky.

Not that you're likely to wash them together, but Nike has suggested that washing trainers should also be done sparingly, although once every two weeks is far more often than most of us probably bother, even with the pristine white ones.