How often should I wash my jeans?

Less than you think, and it is mostly about preserving the denim rather than a rule. Frequent hot washing and tumble drying fade and weaken denim and shrink it further; airing jeans out and spot-cleaning handles most wear, with a cold wash inside-out when they actually need it. Raw-denim fans go months to build contrast fades, which is a preference, not a hygiene standard. The durability payoff is real: gentler, less frequent washing measurably extends a jean’s life, improving cost per wear. Follow the care label, wash cold, hang dry, and reserve heat for when you genuinely need to sanitize or shrink.