9 Ways to Soften Stiff Jeans to Make Them More Comfortable

woman sitting in jeans on cobblestone steps — @aprillockhart / Instagram

Finding your ideal pair of jeans is a key part of any wardrobe, but that's only half the battle. Often, new (or new-to-you) denim can feel stiff and uncomfortable if it hasn't had time to adapt to your proportions, or you may find an old pair of jeans doesn't feel the same if your body has changed or you haven't worn them in a while. Luckily, there are ways to break in and soften both old and new denim, and you won't even need chemicals to achieve a more comfortable pair. Below, see our step-by-step guide on how to soften denim, so you can achieve a better fit in no time at home.

What You'll Need

Before you get started on softening your denim, you'll want to gather a few things, most of which you might have around the house:

Jeans you want to soften
Scissors
White household vinegar
Plastic bucket or tub
Fine-grit sandpaper
Four clean tennis balls
Washer and dryer

01 of 09

Remove Clothing Tags

First things first: Cut off any manufacturer's tags from the inside of your jeans using sharp, pointy scissors. Be careful to snip close to the threads but not directly on top of them to avoid puncturing the fabric. Pop the tags into your pants drawer (or take a good photo) in case you need to refer to special washing instructions or sizing information later.

02 of 09

Turn Jeans Inside Out

Close-up of inside-out light wash jeans with pockets and tags visible — Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

As with any time you're doing laundry, you'll want to turn your jeans inside out before washing them—especially when you're going to be purposely aggravating the fabric—to preserve their look. This is important in order to avoid fading on a pair of dark-wash jeans or if you don't like the look of distressing. Of course, if you want your denim to have a more distressed look, you can skip this step entirely.

03 of 09

Soften with a Vinegar Soak

Bottle of distilled white vinegar sitting on top of pair of light wash jeans with sandpaper nearby — Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

White vinegar is a natural, eco-friendly way to soften denim fabric. Make a softening solution for your jeans by combining eight cups of hot tap water with one cup of standard white household vinegar (like this one from Heinz) in a clean bucket or plastic tub. Place your jeans into the solution, making sure to fully immerse the fabric, and soak for several hours or overnight. A vinegar soak not only softens denim, but it can also preserve the color and prevent dye bleeding, especially when the jeans are brand-new.

Byrdie Tip

If you're worried about your jeans smelling like salt and vinegar chips, don't be. The scent will evaporate once your jeans dry.

04 of 09

Put Jeans in the Dryer

It's imperative to dry your jeans before continuing to the next step in the softening process. (Don't worry, you'll wash them again to get the vinegar out.) Throw your jeans (still inside out) into the dryer and make sure they dry completely. If you're concerned about shrinkage, use the lowest heat setting.

05 of 09

Roll Jeans Into a Ball

Light wash jeans rolled up and tied with orange fluffy fabric on gold fabric background — Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

When your jeans are fully dry and still hot from the dryer, roll them into a tight ball. Start at the hems and roll them into the smallest, tightest ball possible (just like you would a sleeping bag), working up to the waistband. Then, use a bathrobe belt or a long piece of fabric to tie the rolled-up denim so it stays condensed, and leave it to cool for 30 minutes to an hour. Rolling your jeans this way when they're still hot from the dryer stretches the denim, which loosens the tightly knitted fibers for a softening effect.

06 of 09

Sand Your Jeans

Pair of Free People light wash jeans and squares of sandpaper — Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

To get that lived-in look without putting in hours of wear, try sanding your jeans. Start by unrolling them and—while they're still turned inside-out—use a small square of fine-grit sandpaper (like this one from 3M) to gently scrape the interior surface of the denim. Start at the top of the jeans, moving the sandpaper square in horizontal strokes to scrape the fabric. Take your time scraping along the fabric (you can brush away the bits of loosened fiber that come off the jeans as you go), then move down to the hems.

07 of 09

Wash Jeans in Warm Water

Next, place the jeans (still inside out) into the washing machine. Wash your denim by itself, without detergent, choosing the warm or medium temperature water setting on your washer. If you're laundering only one pair of jeans, go for a low-water setting (if your washer has one) to preserve water for smaller loads. Wash the jeans alone—or only with other denim—for optimal results.

08 of 09

Dry Jeans with Tennis Balls

Three tennis balls on gold fabric background — Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

Put your freshly washed jeans into the clothes dryer, adding four new (clean) tennis balls—these ones on Amazon will do the job. The tennis balls will give your jeans a strenuous "massage" as they go through the dryer cycle, helping to soften the denim fabric for a worn-in feel. Set the dryer on low heat to prevent shrinkage, especially if your jeans have a high amount of stretch. Alternatively, if you don't mind (or even prefer) a bit of shrinking, you can opt for the hottest setting, which will further soften the jeans.

09 of 09

Wear and Repeat as Needed

Byrdie editor Aimee Simeon wearing a white bodysuit, light wash jeans, square-toe boots, and silver jewelry — Dion Lamar Mills for Byrdie

Wear your jeans often to soften the fabric and mold them to your body. You should also wash them frequently (though you might not want to put 100% cotton jeans in the dryer as often), which will help to continue breaking down the fabric so that they feel worn out and softer against your skin.

The Final Takeaway

Stiff jeans can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but luckily, it's not so hard to soften denim at home in a way that's eco-friendly and preserves the quality. If you follow the above steps carefully, you'll end up with a more well-worn, comfortable feel in no time without undesired distressing or damage. Just keep in mind that DIY ways to treat denim may change your jeans' look and feel, so you may want to experiment with a less expensive pair before trying these techniques on pricier designer versions.

Denim provided by: Free People

Model: Aimee Simeon

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