I don’t know about you but there’s nothing more annoying to me than pulling my favorite pair of jeans out of the wash and finding strange ripples all over them. Like, what happened in there? Were they battling for their lives in the spin cycle? It’s the annoying part because they fit perfectly one moment, and in the blink of an eye, they are knotted on your body like some washing machine was chewing you up and spitting you out. If you’ve ever had questions about jeans, funny wrinkles and ripples, this article is for you.
And this isn’t any old fabric malfunction. There’s a reason why it happens — several, actually. Almost all popular jeans today are woven with some stretch, which helps with comfort but also makes them easier to damage. The biggest culprit? Heat. But the dryer is not solely to blame. How you wash, dry and even store your jeans can be a game changer.
So, if you’ve ever stood there, staring at your formerly-smooth jeans and asking yourself where did things go wrong, you’re in the right spot. Let’s break it all down.
Why Do Jeans Ripple, Pucker or Wrinkle in the Wash?
After ruining more than one pair of jeans, I did some digging to find out what’s really going on. It turns out, those fibers are doing a lot when they go for a spin in the washer and dryer.
Heat Deteriorates the Lycra in Your Jeans
(These days, most jeans aren’t 100 percent cotton.) And they often have a bit of Lycra (or elastane) blended in so they have just the right amount of stretch. But here is the problem: Lycra doesn’t like heat. In fact, it kind of hates it.
At high temps in the washer or dryer, Lycra begins to degrade. When that happens, the denim surrounding it begins to warp, as well. And that’s why you’re going to see those ripples or puckering in random spots, rather than an overall shrinkage, as is the case with cotton. After Lycra has lost its elasticity there’s really no turning back.
Washing jeans excessively also deteriorates the fibers over time. And for some reason, most of us are washing them far more than we need to. In fact, experts recommend washing jeans much less often than you’d think, because overwashing can compromise their longevity.
The Washer is Twisting Then Stretching the Fabric
Even if heat isn’t the problem, though, the way jeans move around inside the washer can be. Consider — your jeans aren’t just plopped in for a little soak. They’re being thrown around, contorted, stretched in different directions. It’s even worse if you overload your washing machine and everything gets all tangled up.
Stretch denim is particularly prone to this. When the fabric is tugged in various directions when it’s damp, some areas remain taut while others pull in. The result? That beautiful warped, wavy effect that ages your jeans by 10 years overnight.
Jeans Absorb Water Unevenly
Denim is heavy by nature, but if you mix it with water, it becomes a wet sponge. The issue is that stretchy jeans don’t evenly absorb water. The uneven swelling is problematic: some areas swell more than others, and that means they can shrink unevenly when they dry. It’s also why jeggings and super-stretchy jeans are more prone to looking funky after they get washed.
Overloading the washer or dryer causes jeans to get stuck in weird placements
I know, I know. At times we just want to do all the laundry in one go. But cramming too much clothing into the washer or dryer is one of the things you can do that’s worst for jeans. If they don’t have space to dry properly, they can dry in twisted, scrunched-up positions. And once those creases are in, good luck getting them out.
How to Stop Jeans from Developing Ripples or Puckering After Laundering
The good news? You don’t have to live the wavy-jeans life. Some easy adjustments to the way you wash and dry them can help.
Wash in Cold Water Only
Heat, of course, is Lycra’s worst enemy, so jeans should always be washed in cold water. This will keep the fibers sturdy and prevent shrinking.
2. Skip the Dryer (Or Use the Lowest Heat Setting)
To keep your jeans looking new, you want to air dry. But if you use the dryer, run it on low heat and take them out while still a bit damp. Separating them as they dry helps avoid those wonky wrinkles from forming.
Wash Jeans Inside Out
This is one of the simplest ways to protect your jeans. Turning them inside out minimizes friction in the wash and helps avoid unnecessary stretching and fading.
Gentle Cycle/Hand Wash
Stretch denim tends to be more prone to damage, so a gentle cycle is a lot kinder. If you’re working with a pair of jeans you really like, try the hand wash option — it’s even better.
Don’t Overload the Machine
Your jeans need breathing room. If they are packed in tightly with too many other clothes, they’re more likely to emerge looking warped.
Reshape Jeans Before Drying
If your jeans already appear wrinkly fresh out of the wash, don’t just throw them in the dryer. First lay them flat and smooth out any bunching by hand. If you air-dry, hang them by the waistband so they don’t get wonky creases.
Don’t Overdo the Fabric Softener
Fabric softener can make clothes feel good, but it applies a coating to Lycra fibers that makes them lose their stretch as they age. Using too much will actually do more harm than good.
How to Restore Jeans That Already Rippled or Wrinkled After Washing
So what if the harm is already done? Don’t panic — there are steps you can take to smooth things out.
Steam the Fabric
Giving warped denim a once-over with a clothes steamer works wonders. If you don’t, hanging them in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes can loosen the fibers.
Use an Iron with a Damp Cloth
Dampen a cloth and place it over the rippled areas, pressing with an iron on a low setting. It helps loosen the Lycra and the iron smooths out any wrinkles.
Stretch the Fabric by Hand
Sometimes it takes a bit of pulling. Lay the jeans out flat and lightly pull on the puckered spots to spring them back into shape. This is most effective while they are still wet.
Rewash Cold Water Gently Dry
If all else fails, washing them again — correctly this time — can sometimes help reset the fabric before the damage becomes permanent.
Jeans warping and rippling after washing isn’t just bad luck. This is generally a sign that the Lycra fibers have been compromised through heat, aggressive washing or improper drying. And once that range is lost, it doesn’t come back.
But the good news? Some simple tweaks — washing in cold water, avoiding the dryer, reshaping them while they dry — can help keep your jeans looking good for a whole lot longer.
And if you have been washing your jeans every time you put them on, you may want to consider changing that wash-rinse-repeat cycle. Well, it turns out that most of us are washing our jeans too much, which could lead to an even shorter lifespan.