Hey there! If you’re a fan of that effortlessly cool, lived-in denim look but don’t want to splurge on expensive distressed jeans, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll share some fantastic tips on how to distress jeans at home without ruining them.
Why would you want to distress your jeans, well it looks cool. If you go an buy a pair of distressed jeans, there are going to be a thousand other people that are wearing the same, nut you can make yours unique.
The price hike when jeans have this little quirk is not really justified, and you will now find out how easy it actually is to distress your own jeans.
1. How to distress jeans with scissors
This is actually pretty easy, and seeing it done makes it a lot easier to follow too. What you will need:
- A pair of jeans
- Sharp Scissors
- Tweezers
- Cardboard
Step1 – Choose the jeans
Distressing denim is not reversible, so make sure you can afford to lose these jeans in case it all goes wrong the first time.
Step2 – Protect the Denim
It’s good to have something to protect the second layer in case you go to far with something sharp. Stick a piece of cardboard, a cutting mat, even an old t-shirt under the part you are going to distress.
Step3 – Create Rips and Tears
Decide where you want to distress and make small cuts. You can always come back and make it bigger, but never smaller, so start small.
Step4 – Fray the Edges
You can scrape at the edges of where the cut is with the edge of the blade of the scissors. This looses the fibers and amplifies the worn effect. Again, start slowly, get a feel for what pressure gives what result so you don’t overdo it.
Step5 – Use the Tweezers
Using tweezers to pull away some of the blue fibers from the edge of the cut gives jeans the distinctive white patch. It looks like the fabric has been rubbing on something and a hole is about to form, exactly what we are going for.
What you want to do is make small cuts where you are want to give the denim a distressed look and you will pick out the fibers to give it the look we are going for.
Step6 – Wash your jeans
Once you have washed and dried your jeans, you will now a pair of uniquely distressed jeans.
The key to getting a perfect looking patch is to take your time. It may just look like you need to roughen the jeans up a bit, but remember natural distress happens over a long time and not in an instant.
If you go to hard you will just make the denim look like it has a rip in it, unless thats what you are going for, exercise restraint.
2. How to distress jeans with Sandpaper
This is possibly the easiest way to distress your jeans. You can get some fine grit sandpaper like 180 grit, and just gently sand a patch of the denim you want to distress.
Dont go too rough, just take your time and in a few minutes you can have the perfect distressed look on your jeans. Also, I usually swipe the sandpaper in one direction, and not back and forth.
Going back and forth with sandpaper can make the fabric heat up with the added friction, the fibers heat up and before you know it you have made a hole, so be careful.
Sandpaper is also a really good way to distress jeans or a jacket overall. I had a denim jacket, and I wanted where the seams are to look distressed, so every other day I would run the sand paper over the parts I wanted to and over time it gave it a really natural look.
3. How to distress jeans with a razor?
Another method of distressing denim that gives you a really good result, is easy, but you need to be careful. It also depends on the type of razor you are using. I would not use a safety razor here unless you have a very steady hand.
You can mark the outline of the section you are going to distress with some chalk, and with a disposable razor gently start shaving that part of the denim.
You will have to experiment with angle and pressure, and after a few strokes you get an idea of how much fabric you are removing. A very quick and easy way to distress your jeans.
4. How to distress jeans with a pumice stone
Similar to the sandpaper, a pumice stone has a rough surface. Some pumice stones also have two sides with one rougher than the other.
Simply mark out where you are wanting to distress your jeans, and in a circular motion, rub the pumice stone on the denim until you have removed and frayed enough fabric.
Once you achieve the look you want, wash the jeans and your new homemade distress jeans are ready to go.
5. Distress jeans with shotgun blast
This is actually a real thing, people distress their jeans with a shotgun blast. It’s not a full round, they will most often use a salt cartridge or birdshot, but the result is really impressive.
It looks really cool, becuase you will have the white patch, then a scattering of small holes and frayed fabric around the edges. The most fun way distress your jeans for sure, just not the safest.
FAQ’s
What is the Best Tool for Distressing Jeans?
When it comes to distressing jeans, the most accessible tool is a pair of scissors, we all have them. They allow for precise cutting, whether you want to create subtle frays or edgy rips. Check out the full guide above.
The easiest though is to use sandpaper, required minimal effort, just be careful to not sand to hard or use too thick a grit.
How Do You Distress Jeans Without Ruining Them?
Distressing jeans is a delicate process, even though we are trying to give them a roughened up look. Always be mindful to not do anything too fast or too rough.
Take your time, have patience, get a feel for the fabric and always take precautions. Like having a protective barrier behind the fabric you are distressing.
How Do You Lightly Distress Denim?
For a subtle, worn-in look, try the scraping method. So the pumice stone or sandpaper method we discussed it the best option for a light distressed look.
How Do You Make Holes in Jeans with Sandpaper?
Holes in distressed jeans can add an edgy touch, and sandpaper is an excellent tool for this. Place a piece of cardboard inside the pant leg to protect the back layer. Then, rub the sandpaper against the denim where you want the hole to appear. Be cautious and gentle, as the sandpaper can quickly create larger holes than intended.
How Do You Keep Distressed Jeans from Ripping?
To prevent your distressed jeans from ripping further, reinforce the distressed areas with patches or iron-on denim patches on the inside of the jeans. This extra layer of fabric will help maintain the distressed look while keeping the tears in check.
What Is the Easiest Way to Distress Jeans?
If you’re short on time or prefer a hassle-free method, try using pumice stones or a cheese grater. Rub them against the denim to create a naturally worn-out appearance. These tools are ideal for achieving a moderately distressed look without much effort.
How Do You Make New Jeans Look Old?
To give your new jeans a vintage vibe, try using bleach. Dilute some bleach in water (approximately 1:1 ratio) and apply it to the jeans with a spray bottle or sponge. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly and wash the jeans separately. Voilà! You’ll have a beautifully faded, worn-out look.
How Do You Fade New Jeans?
A simple way to fade new jeans is to wash them inside out in hot water with a cup of white vinegar. The acid in the vinegar helps break down the dye, resulting in a softer, more faded appearance.
How Do You Fade Jeans Faster?
If you want to accelerate the fading process, wash your jeans regularly and hang them to dry in the sun. The sun’s rays will naturally lighten the fabric over time, giving you that coveted faded look.
How Can I Fade My Jeans Naturally?
For an entirely natural fading process, wear your jeans as much as possible before washing them. The friction from everyday activities will gradually wear down the fabric’s dye, resulting in a unique and personalized fade.