EXPERT TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER YOUR DENIM

Verity Mann, head of testing, Good Housekeeping Institute

Turn them inside-out before washing, zip up and fasten buttons. Use a cold wash program and do consult the care label.

Wash jeans with similar colours. Your jeans can bleed when wet, especially with darker coloured jeans and jeans that are new.

Use liquid detergent or tabs that are specifically designed for coloured laundry. Powders are more likely to leave a white residue than liquid detergents, especially if you’re running a cool wash (recommended for denim).

If you’re line-drying them, make sure the jeans stay inside-out, so they are less likely to fade in strong sunlight. Shake them out before they are bone dry, and fold – that way, you shouldn’t have to iron them.