American Eagle jeans are known for their quality and durability. However, like all clothing, they require proper care in order to stay looking their best.
With a few simple tips, you can keep your American Eagle jeans looking like new for years to come.
How to Wash American Eagle Jeans
The washing instructions for AE jeans are pretty straightforward. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind in order to ensure that your jeans last as long as possible:
Wash before first wear: American Eagle jeans are known for their vibrant and deep colors. These colors can bleed on your skin the first time you wear them. So it’s always best to wash them before putting them on.
Wash them separately the first time: Not only is there a possibility that the colors will bleed on your skin, but they can also bleed onto other clothing in the wash. So it’s always best to wash your AE jeans, especially if they have rips in them, separately from other clothing the first time you wash them.
Use cold water: While traditional American Eagle jeans are 100% cotton others styles are made with a blend of materials. All styles of AE jeans come preshrunk and can be washed in cold or warm water without shrinking.
However, to help preserve the color and shape of your jeans, it’s best to use cold water.
Avoid fabric softeners: American Eagle jeans are some of the softest and toughest pairs of jeans you’ll ever own. This is thanks in part to the quality of the fabric and the way that they are woven.
Using fabric softeners can actually absorb into the fabric and alter the way that the jeans feel. So save your money and save your jeans by avoiding fabric softeners.
Use a mild detergent: Unless you’re looking for a faded look, you’ll want to use a mild detergent when washing your American Eagle jeans. A mild detergent will help to preserve the color of your jeans and keep them looking their best.
Hang or lay flat to dry: American Eagle jeans are preshrunk, but they can still shrink if you put them in the dryer or expose them to high heat while they’re wet. So it’s always best to hang them up or lay them flat to dry.
Will American Eagle Jeans Shrink?
American Eagle jeans come pre-shrunk and won’t shrink anymore if washed properly. You can however still choose to intentionally shrink your AE jeans a tiny bit with hot water or in a dryer.
How to Shrink American Eagle Jeans
There are two methods to shrink American Eagle jeans; Hot water or in a Dryer. You can even combine both methods to achieve the maximum shrinkage possible.
Shrinking AE Jeans in Hot Water
Although American Eagle sells their jeans preshrunk, you can still get them a bit tighter by washing them in Hot water the first time.
You can choose to do this either by hand or by machine, I found handwashing in hot water shrunk them a bit more. Machine washing in Hot water may also mangle and deform the jeans a bit.
Once you think the jeans won’t shrink any further, you can remove them from the Hot water and hang them to dry in a cool dark place. Or you can throw them in the dryer on “Hot” to try and shrink them even more.
Shrinking AE Jeans in a Dryer
Shrinking jeans in a dryer can produce a more even shrinking and done a little bit at a time. You can experiment with different temperature settings until you achieve the right size and perfect fit.
If you already shrunk the jeans in Hot water, you can also try to shrink them a bit more by immediately tossing them in the dryer on High heat. Keep them in the dryer for sessions ranging between 10 and 15 minutes at a time.
Remove and inspect them to make sure they don’t shrink too much. Repeat the steps until you are happy with the results or the AE jeans stop shrinking.
Conclusion
Whether you already own a pair of American Eagle jeans or you’re thinking about buying your first pair, following these simple tips will help you keep them looking their best. With proper care, your AE jeans can last for years to come.