ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Levi's Boss Hasn't Washed His Jeans In 10 Years And You Shouldn't Either

Levi's Boss Hasn't Washed His Jeans In 10 Years And You Shouldn't Either

The denim boss is urging people to stop washing their jeans, immediately

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

If you're just about to throw your favourite pair of jeans into the washer, stop before you make a huge mistake.

At least, that's according to the head honcho of denim giant Levi's, who insists you should never wash your jeans because it wears down the material.

The company's CEO Chip Bergh first made the news five years ago when he made the shocking revelation that in the 10 years he has been wearing his favourite pair of jeans, they have never seen the inside of a washing machine.

Instead he just spot-cleans them if there's a particular stain, or in worst case scenarios, hand washes them when they need a quick freshen up.

But now he's back again - in a statement to CNN he said how important it was to stop washing your pants. Immediately.

CEO of Levi's Charles Bergh, says he's not washed his favourite pair of jeans in the past 10 years.
PA

Mr Bergh said: "If you talk to real denim aficionados, they will all agree you should never put your jeans in the wash.

"I spot clean my jeans when they need to be washed. Worst case, I hand wash my jeans. And I do it myself. I mean I love my jeans, and I take good care of them."

This raises the obvious concern about the sheer number of germs that must accumulate on a pair of jeans that haven't been washed properly in more than a decade.

Well according to Kelly Love, co-founder and CEO of non-toxic cleaning brand Branch Basics, this isn't a problem.

via GIPHY

She says just putting them out in the sun to get some air will work wonders.

"Of course it depends on where you're wearing your jeans and what's getting on them, but normal wear is not going to pose a health threat and doesn't warrant fear of grossness.

"At least not from the microbes picked up from your skin and being out and about town.

"Sunning outside in the hot sun for several days - ideally until there is no odour - is actually better than washing for breaking down the volatile organic compounds.

If you plan on foregoing the washing machine, you could try putting them in the freezer.
PA

"Sunning is also better for the environment, conserves water and energy, and, in fact, a good practice for all clothes because it reduces the number of washings required to remove chemical residues," she advised.

But if you're a bit short of sunlight, fear not, as the freezer will do just as good a job - but you might have to do it a few times to get rid of all that dirt.

Speaking to Well and Good, author and microbiologist Jason Tetro, said: "It will work, but you need water and it has to be below -18 degrees Celsius.

"If you do that, then there's a good chance you're going to kill off 90 percent of the bugs, which means about 10 percent are going to survive."

Think of the money you'll save on washing powder.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Clothes, Interesting, US News