Care Guide

DENIM CARE GUIDE
Denim is an extremely durable fabric, designed to get better with wear. Treating your denim right will make sure it will last the test of time and love you back. Check out our denim care guide below, an easy low fuss guide to ensuring maximum longevity of your favourite fits and a reduced impact on the earth. 

DAILY WEAR CARE…
First things first…when putting on beloved pair of Lee Jeans, never pull them up using the belt loops, doing this can cause unnecessary wear and tear. Always pull them up using the waistband as it’s a much stronger part of the garment and will reduce the risk of tearing. 
Additionally, if you like your denim with rips and character keep in mind that although distressed denim is designed to grow with every wear, take care when putting them on to avoid exaggerated ripping.

MINIMISE WASHES
We recommend extending the amount of time between washes to maintain the integrity and colour of your jeans, this will also give the environment a break. Denim is a natural fibre, it doesn’t really like being washed. In fact, your jeans will begin to mould to your body, distressing and rips will get bigger, and the colour will ‘wear’ uniquely to you the longer you go between washes. Giving your denim a uniquely you look and feel. 
Always keep in mind that a significant portion of energy and water is used in the after-purchase phase of the lifecycle of your jeans so don’t be afraid to spot clean in between washes to avoid unnecessary washing cycles. Use baby wipes or a vodka-soaked cloth and dab (don’t rub!). These methods will take both the stain out and dry without any discolouration. 
In short, denim loves low maintenance! 

LET THEM BREATHE 
To extend time between washes and reduce your own environmental impact, try turning your denim inside out and airing them on the line or inside on a chair instead. Alternatively, you could also add a few sprays of your favourite essential oil such as, lavender in some water to disinfect with the bonus of smelling sweet! 

HOW  DO I WASH MY DENIM?
When the time comes to wash your denim, there are a few rules we live by at Lee: 

• Turn your jeans inside out to preserve the colour
• Cold wash with either a handful of salt or low enzyme detergent and a fabric softener (again a few drops of essential oil can make your jeans smell sweet without reacting to the denim
• Either hand wash or pop them on a delicate cycle

*ONE LAST TIP
The freezer trick is a myth! The bacteria just goes to sleep in the freezer but will wake up once you’ve warmed your jeans back up to room temperature! 
And when you think the time has finally come to part with your denim pieces remember the three R’s before discarding them: REPAIR, REUSE AND RECYCLE.

OTHER FABRIC TIPS
Lee don’t just do denim. Find out how to keep all your other favourite Lee pieces thriving for longer with the below tips & tricks:
Jersey, Knitwear & Shirting
First off, we recommend following the care instructions relevant to each individual garment. By following these instructions, you will keep your beloved Lee pieces looking crisp as the day you bought them. All of our fabrications are designed to withstand a regular machine wash, however, some of our shirts are in specialist fabrics which may require a more gentle dry clean only – always check the label. Lee are conscious of the environment and the amount of water we use, we encourage you to wash all your clothes on a short 30 degree cycle.
Denim Jackets
We encourage you to wash your denim jackets as little as possible as they rarely rarely need cleaning, but if you do need to clean your jacket we would always recommend checking with your local dry cleaner or you can use baby wipes or a vodka-soaked cloth to spot clean any stains. 
Leather & Paper Patches on Denim
Our branded patches are designed to fade and wear with your jeans so that you have a complete authentic look. Like Cotton, Leather is a natural material, and it’s characteristics change over time, so if you notice slight differences on your leather patch after washing your jeans, please note this is normal and nothing to be worried about.