Slipping into a pair of new jeans will make you feel like a million bucks. But the lingering chemical smell that sometimes comes along with your new threads is less than ideal.
What is the smell and how can you make it go away? We have the answers.
Why Do New Jeans Smell?
The funny smell that some new clothes give off seems like a small annoyance, but you may be alarmed by the root cause of that scent: Formaldehyde.
That’s right, the chemical that’s causing the strange odour on your pants is the same one used for embalming. How good can that be to inhale? Exposure to Formaldehyde can cause respiratory problems, skin rashes, and headaches.
So why are some companies putting this toxic chemical on your jeans? Formaldehyde and other odour-causing treatments are commonly applied to clothes during the manufacturing process. The aim of this chemical bath is to prevent mold, bacteria, mildew, and other substances that could damage the fabric during storage and shipping. Formaldehyde is also used on some jeans to create wrinkle-free and stain-resistant features.
DUER never treats clothes with Formaldehyde or other toxic chemicals. While not all manufacturers use harmful chemicals during production, it’s important to always wash new jeans before wearing them.
Sometimes black or dark jeans give off a rotten egg type smell. This is from sulfur dye. Sulfur dye is frequently used to achieve deep, rich black or charcoal tones in denim. It’s effective and long-lasting, but during the dyeing process, some sulfur compounds can linger in the fabric—even after manufacturing. These compounds are what give off that slightly chemical or sulfur-like smell. The smell is not harmful—just unpleasant. It typically fades over time with washing and wear.
If you have denim that’s giving off a strange smell, follow our washing tips below to get rid of it.
Why Jeans Smell
Because jeans are predominantly made from natural fibres like cotton, they have pretty good breathability and moisture-wicking properties, meaning they need washes less frequently. Jeans can be washed about every 10 wears if you're wearing them for normal everyday activities like commuting, errands and weekend wear. Sweat, dirt, bacteria and spills can all cause jeans to smell before that 10-wear mark. If you notice them smelling, it's probably time for a wash.
If your jeans still smell after washing them, try our wash tips below or consider cleaning your washing machine. Mildew that starts in the washing machine can easily embed itself into the fabrics that are washed in it.
How to Get Rid of Jean Smells
Make sure to air your jeans out between wears to reduce bacteria growth, but if you do notice them smelling, try washing them more frequently. If that still doesn't help, consider cleaning your washing machine and drying your jeans thoroughly - either in the dryer on low or hanging them in a warm dry place. If jeans take too long to air dry, they can develop mildew or other bacteria in the fabric that can cause odors.
To boost the effectiveness of washing your jeans, consider using one of the following to boost your detergent's odor-fighting power.
1. Baking Soda
Have you ever put a box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odd smells? The same idea can be applied to your clothes. Before washing your jeans normally, soak them in cold water with baking soda dissolved in it. This is a reliable, natural way to combat chemical smells in your clothes.
2. Borax
It’s not an everyday item for most, but borax is as versatile as it is effective. It’s especially good at removing fungi- and chemical-based smells. Use it the same way you would baking soda to get odors out of jeans.
3. Castile Soap (Dr. Bronners)
Just like baking soda and borax, castile soap is a cleaner that uses chemistry to fight chemical odors. All three of these cleaners are on the basic end of the acid-base spectrum. When combined with water, they create a reaction that helps strip odor. Hand wash your new jeans with castile soap for a delicate method of removing odors.
4. White Vinegar
Vinegar is a miracle cleaner for everything from towels to glassware. Thanks to its high-acidity, it naturally breaks down odor-causing substances. If any of the above methods don’t work, a vinegar rinse could be the key. Mix white vinegar with cold water and soak your jeans for 30-60 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Once the jeans are fully dry, the chemical and vinegar odor will evaporate. This treatment has the added benefit of sealing in the fabric dyes.
5. Oxygen Bleach (Oxyclean)
While chlorine bleach is a no-go for your denim, oxygen bleach will work wonders. It gets deep within clothing fibers to cleanse new jeans of chemical smells. Follow the label on your oxygen bleach to create a water solution and soak your jeans for 4 hours. Then, wash them as normal.
Make sure you wash your new jeans alone to avoid your other clothes picking up some of the chemical smell or clothing dye. Check out more expert tips on washing your jeans.
How To Get The Smell Out Of Jeans Without Washing Them
A healthy dose of fresh air can alleviate most issues in life. Your smelly new jeans are no exception. Hanging your jeans inside-out in the sunshine is an effective way to reduce and eliminate odors without washing them.
UV light will break down chemicals that cause odor. These rays are so powerful they’ll even bleach fabric (which is why it’s important to turn your new jeans inside-out). You can accelerate the sun’s odor-eliminating effect by spraying your jeans with diluted vinegar.
Hang your jeans to dry in the sun
Do DUER Jeans Smell?
You can’t ethically compete with companies that only prioritize costs, so at DUER, we don’t try. We choose health-conscious alternatives and never use formaldehyde on pants or packaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you neutralize formaldehyde smell?
To neutralize formaldehyde smell in clothes like jeans, your best bet is to combine gentle washing, natural deodorizers, and fresh air exposure. Follow our washing tips and UV sun exposure tips for the best results.
Does vinegar remove formaldehyde smell?
White vinegar can help remove the formaldehyde smell from clothes, including jeans. While it doesn’t neutralize formaldehyde itself, vinegar helps break down and flush away the residues and off-gassing chemicals that create the strong chemical odor often found in new clothing.
Try this soak before washing your jeans.
Does washing remove formaldehyde from clothes?
Washing can reduce formaldehyde in clothes, but it may not remove it entirely in just one wash—especially if the fabric was heavily treated. However, the amount of formaldehyde on clothing is usually small and regulated, and its concentration diminishes significantly after a few washes and exposure to air. It's best to wash new clothes at least once before wearing, especially if they have a strong chemical smell.
How to get a chemical smell out of clothes?
Follow our washing tips and UV sun exposure tips to get odors out of clothes.
Want a new pair of jeans that make you feel like a million bucks and that don’t smell? Check out our selection of Men's and Women's Jeans today.
