This is an experience that the bulk of us can relate to. We purchase a new jean from the store and after a few washes; they begin to have a form of whitish streak on them.
Do not freak out just yet, let’s find out together, possible reasons why this may happen as well as proffer solutions and outline preventive measures.
Now, there are so many reasons why you may have chalky marks on your jeans but, the most common reason why it happens is that you applied a lot more detergent than is needed to get the jeans washed.
The use of excess detergent on your jeans can lead to chalky marks on it, if you continue that way, the whole jean becomes more white than black.
Other reasons why you might experience these white streaks include your detergents not properly dissolved, and sometimes too, your water might be the culprit!
Yes. There is something called “hard water.” If your water supply produces hard water, it means that it is producing water that has lots of mineral deposits in them.
Now, the thing about using hard water to wash in general is that it makes it impossible for your detergent to dissolve completely.
Asides from not dissolving completely, the tendency to use more than you should when washing with hard water is high because it always seems like it’s never enough.
In some other instances, you can find the dye used during the production stage to color the jeans-wearing off. When this happens, it means that its fade resistance cannot hold any longer and begins to slowly clean away, causing marks on your jean even as you wash.
How to know the right amount of detergent to use?
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This information is particularly useful because using too much would result to chalky marks while too little would not get the jeans washed clean so, it is imperative to find the right balance.
You can do this by first of all ensuring that the detergent being used is a jean-friendly one. You should know that jeans in general are made with very delicate fibers even though they appear very strong and sturdy, you should therefore use only mild jean-friendly detergents to wash them.
You can get these specific kinds of detergents in stores closest to you. Now, the good thing about getting jean-friendly detergent is that you will find stipulated there, the right quantity of detergent to use. Some brands of detergent even go as far as placing in there, a measuring cup to make it more convenient for you.
Now that we know the causes of chalky marks on our jeans and the right quantity of detergent to use in order to avoid these white streaks, we can now move on to possible solutions for those already battling the problem.
The first step in seeking a solution is to, first of all, find out the exact cause of these streaks on your jeans, you can then know what to do once that is ascertained.
Below is a method you can follow to know when too much detergent is the villain in your own jeans story.
Steps to know the cause of chalky marks on pants
Method 1
Critically examine your jeans. Take your eyes across the lines of the crease and observe it well. You can go a step further by using your fingernails to scrape them and see if they come out. If they do fall off, it might be a sign that you have previously used too much laundry powder while washing them.
Method 2
What you can do next to remedy the situation, is to rinse the jeans thoroughly. You can have two rinse sessions; just to be sure you get every detergent residue out. After rinsing, get the jeans turned to the other side and dry on a low heat or better still, line dry naturally.
Method 3
If you examine the jean, especially while washing, and observe that it bleeds excessively, then, it will be safe to mention dye fading as the likely cause.
What you can do in this case, is to have them re-dyed again. You can hand them over to dye experts to get it done for you but, if you intend to dye them yourself, do well to follow the instructions on whatever dye product you get.
Flip your jean to the other side before you wash them. This would help in further reducing the rate at which the jeans bleed into the wash water and, roam freely in it causing white patches all over.
Method 4
Now, to the big one; if you are able to link the whitish streaks on your jeans to your water supply, the solution is to get something done about the hard water supply you get.
You can contact a water expert to get it checked out for you. They are in the best position to know the right kind of water softeners to add or the best solution method to follow.
If getting a water specialist is something you are presently not able to afford, you can follow this other method instead: add 1 and a half tablespoons of salt to the water before you put in your jeans. The presence of salt would help greatly in dissolve the hard mineral deposits.
How to dye jeans
Are you fond of throwing away your faded jeans? I know they look totally unattractive and somehow worn out but, there is a way you can have them revitalized and be brought back to life again.
That way is simply to have them dyed. Dyeing your jeans gives their colors a second chance to shine out and totally transforms the jean themselves. Jean dyeing is not exclusive to black jeans alone; you can also dye white jeans and other colors too.
The first thing to note when applying dye is that it is pellucid so it is always best to use a color closest to it else you would find its real color peeking through.
If you are lucky enough to get the right color of the dye, have the jeans weighed to know the right quantity of dye that you need. This is because some jeans are so heavy while others, not so much. You obviously would not use the same quantity of dye for a light jean on a heavy one. Ideally, you will need to use more.
Once you know the exact weight of the jean, it will make you better understand the dye measurement stated on the dye pack.
Talking about the dye pack, that is where you see the guidelines that you need to get the jeans dyed successfully. It is usually stipulated on the pack the amount of dye you should use for a particular gram of jean.
For instance; it might be written that you use 150ml of dye for a 600g of jean fabric. So, if your jean weighs 1200g, you automatically know that you are to use two bottles of that dye.
But ideally, though, a bottle of dye should be just perfect to get a pair of jean evenly dyed, still its best to follow whatever instructions that you find on the pack for best results.
If you purchase a dye in powdered form, you would find it stated to mix in hot water first and have it finely dissolved before use.
Before the dye application, you would need to have the jeans washed first. This is because dirt on the jean can keep the dye from staying put.
As you wash, ensure that you follow the wash directions on the jean tag. If your jean is to be washed in cold water, adhere strictly to it and do not use hot water and vice versa.
After washing, squeeze the jeans but do not proceed to dry them. Dye has been proven to be more effective when applied on wet jean than dry jean fabric. The keyword here is wet, not dripping wet.
The process is actually very easy if you have a washing machine but if you would be doing it manually, shake the dye and pour it into a basin of hot water following the stipulated ratio of dye to water.
Use a long spoon and stir the water. The next step is to introduce a cup full of salt to the mix, stir again till it dissolves, and put in a tiny amount of liquid soap to make the dye stick better.
Have the jeans totally immersed in the mixture then, leave to soak for about an hour but, ensure that you stir intermittently. Once you are done soaking, place your jeans outside to dry naturally.
Chalky Marks On Black Pants – Conclusion
Chalky marks on your jeans can really have you wanting to do away with them. But, the problem is not really about tossing them away, it is about knowing what you do wrong else you will just be caught in a cycle whereby you purchase new jeans, make the same mistakes, and then throw away.
Be informed; know the causes and also the solutions. You will be saving not just your money but, the environment.
