Is there any more personal garment than denim? Probably not, because denim has always interpreted the wearer’s way of being, thinking, living. That’s why we love to customize the jeans we love the most, perhaps to give them a new chance, because we just can’t bear to throw them away. That’s why, trying to fade them to accentuate their lived-in look, can be a quick and easy solution. Of course, that is, as long as we choose a sustainable method that reduces the environmental impact…

At Tonello, for example, we use ozone technologies, but at home, one pair of jeans at a time, what can you do? Let’s find out together how to fade jeans.

Avoid harmful chemicals

Start by avoiding harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach, which can damage both your jeans and the environment.

Natural solutions for fading

Opt for natural solutions such as salt, lemon juice, or baking soda, which offer an environmentally friendly and gentle alternative to chemicals.

Pre-washing

Wash your jeans with an eco-friendly detergent to remove dirt and oils, preparing them for even discoloration.

Water and salt

That’s right: common table salt can help you achieve that super crazy cool faded denim look! The procedure is a bit lengthy, but the effect is assured. Proceed as follows:

• fill a bucket or tub with warm water
• add half a cup of salt and stir until it dissolves
• place your jeans in the salt bath and let them soak for 5-7 days
• rinse your jeans and let them dry slowly

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is an excellent natural decolorizer, so it is also perfect for fading your jeans.

• mix lemon juice with water and spray the mixture on the garment, on the spots you want to fade, adjusting the concentration according to the desired effect.
• expose the jeans to sunlight for a few hours, which will activate the citric acid in the lemon, promoting the discoloration
• rinse and dry

Sodium Bicarbonate or Baking Soda

For a more localized effect, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the areas you prefer. Follow these steps:

• prepare a solution with 5 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 liter of water
• place your jeans in the solution and let them soak for at least 8 hours
• rinse and let them dry

Sunshine

Well, sure: the most natural way to “fade” your jeans is just by using the sun, exposing the jeans to direct sunlight for several hours or days, depending on the level of discoloration you want to achieve. This is a slower process, but an entirely sustainable system that ensures an authentic, refined and contemporary lived-in look.

These methods are environmentally friendly, easily managed at home (even if you have zero experience or manual dexterity), and they help you save money by not having to buy a new pair.

This means that you can also express your creative side and get different and unique patterns by squeezing, knotting or folding your jeans before soaking them. Why not give it a try?

Once you’ve reached the desired level of discoloration, rinse the jeans in cold water and let them air dry. Don’t use the dryer, both to save energy and to avoid overstressing the denim.

There are no special tricks to use: fortunately denim is a very durable fabric. The only thing we recommend is washing the jeans in cold water and only when necessary in order to maintain the level of discoloration achieved and reduce water and energy consumption.

Conclusion: expert fading is within everyone’s reach

We have seen how to fade jeans and realised that fading jeans responsibly is easy: with a little care and patience, you can achieve incredibly ‘fashionable’ results through your own creativity. In short, by following these steps you can achieve a unique and sustainable garment!