# How do I keep denim from fading? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795 "2002-07-13T17:33:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/1 "2002-07-13T17:33:48Z")
The jeans I’m wearing at the moment are only a few months old and unabused (I use the pairs with holes in the knees for yard work and such) but the knees are already looking pretty faded. I know it’s too late for this particular pair, but is there any way to “fix” the dye in future pairs of jeans or at least slow down the fading? ---
**Author:** ![vertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3ec8ea/32.png) [@vertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertigo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/2 "2002-07-13T17:40:07Z")
I don’t know if there is a way to “fix” the dye, but you can lengthen the life of the color by always washing them in cold water, alone, turned inside out. Then hang dry. Don’t put them in the dryer. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/3 "2002-07-13T18:21:13Z")
Also, you can get a dye (Ritz brand, I think it is) that’s a very close match to the original color. easy as pye. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![vertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3ec8ea/32.png) [@vertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertigo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/4 "2002-07-13T18:36:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*Also, you can get a dye (Ritz brand, I think it is) that’s a very close match to the original color. easy as pye. 🙂 > Peace, > mangeorge \*\* Hmmm…, if I am not mistaken, that would color both the “blue” thread and the “white” thread which gives denim its distinctive look. Otherwise it will look like a blue pair of cotton canvas chinos. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/5 "2002-07-13T18:49:24Z")
No, **vertigo** , this is magic dye. It colors only the blue threads. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Griffin)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/6 "2002-07-13T19:05:00Z")
Dry clean them. ---
**Author:** ![vertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/3ec8ea/32.png) [@vertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertigo)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/7 "2002-07-13T19:32:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mangeorge \* > \*\*No, **vertigo** , this is magic dye. It colors only the blue threads. \*\* Oh, _magic_ dye. That’s different. Magic dye works great. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/8 "2002-07-13T21:00:25Z")
What’s wrong with faded jeans? That’s what they’re _supposed_ to look like. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/9 "2002-07-13T21:24:38Z")
Come to think of it, some people pay extra for _pre_-faded jeans. What’s with you, **J String**? Let’s get with the program, huh! Peace, mangeorge (Fashion Slave) ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/10 "2002-07-13T21:35:17Z")
You can set the dye by washing them the first time in luke warm water with a cup of salt added. For the next 2 or 3 washings, use cold water with a cup of salt added. Then continue washing in cold water only. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2002, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/11 "2002-07-13T23:31:10Z")
[RIT](http://brands.bestfoods.com/rit/b.asp) dye does have a denim blue color but I say that you buy pre-faded jeans and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2002, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/12 "2002-07-14T00:24:36Z")
Rit, not Ritz. :smack: Thanks, **Sue**. My ex-g.f. used to use it. I don’t remember any white threads after the dying, but it did look pretty denim-y. She liked those jean skirts made from pants, with american flags sewn between the legs… Pretty crafty woman. The dyed ones were for church. 😉 She also liked american flag halter tops. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2002, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/13 "2002-07-14T03:19:20Z")
After you buy a new pair of blue jeans and take them home, put them in a box and store them in the closet. That should keep them from fading for quite a while. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2002, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-keep-denim-from-fading/118795/14 "2002-07-14T04:34:29Z")
Dude, they’re jeans, not $200 Armani pants.