Many people have been instructed to turn their jeans inside out before washing, but the reasoning behind this practice is not always clear. A reader from Argyll, Paul Williams, recently posed this question, noting that his wife insists on the method without knowing why.
The practice is rooted in preserving the fabric and colour of denim. Washing jeans inside out reduces friction on the outer surface, which helps prevent fading and abrasion. This is particularly important for dark or raw denim, where maintaining the original colour is a priority.
Additionally, turning jeans inside out protects metal hardware like buttons and rivets from scratching the washing machine drum or other garments. It also allows for more effective cleaning of the inner fabric, which often accumulates more sweat and dirt.
Readers are invited to share their own insights or ask further questions by emailing nq@theguardian.com. A selection of responses will be published in a future edition.
