After discussing how to stop indigo jeans from fading, I must have developed quite a reputation! Perhaps I should give up on bicycling and chase my true calling in life of working for Levi’s Jeans?

I know that every body wants to know how to fade jeans. But I want to know how to put dye back in them. I have a pair of Levi’s that are faded in the butt and the front legs. I just want them the same blue jean color. Do you know of a dye I can use? Thank you.

As I’ve said before, I’m not exactly an expert on blue jean dye, but I have learned a few things about dying clothing and painting logo t-shirts, so I’ll give this a shot…

Let’s find a reputable dye company and see if they have anything for blue jeans. I’ve heard good things about RIT Dye for crafting and designing, so let’s check that out.

Browsing their site, I see they just happen to have quite a few dyes for fabric. Liquid is usually your best bet, and we’re in luck - a bottle of “denim blue” colored dye for $3.79 per bottle.

Then follow whatever instructions they give you; something like putting the jeans, dye, salt, and hot water in a bucket and letting them sit for a while.

Hopefully that helps! Oh, and if you need help with any special wool or polyester bicycling clothing, come on back!

Today’s “Ask Levi” question is about the fading of blue jeans. I’m not sure if the submitter thought it was a good joke or thought that they were emailing Levi Strauss & Company…

Continuous fading of Levi 505 Indigo jeans.

How can this be stopped? They fade on car seats and furniture even though they have been washed time after time. How can you lock in the color? Thank you.

Singing the blues,
Faded Fred

Hi Faded,

Although dealing with blue jeans is not my specialty, I do have some advice for you.

But first, you should know that indigo jeans are prone to fading. See, the indigo dye doesn’t actually “dye” the fabric. It just kind of mixes in with it, which is why it is so easy to rub off. And because it doesn’t dye the fabric, a lot of indigo is used in the coloring process, which is why the jeans may fade for a long, long time.

So I guess the answer to your question is, you can’t lock in the color. As you have found, no matter how many times you wash them, there will still be some indigo in there… and if there is, it will keep fading.

If you’re washing them inside-out in cold water as you should do with all jeans, there’s not much else you can try. You could try soaking them in some clear vinegar before washing, because lots of old wives tales and home remedies say vinegar is the holy grail. Who knows though, I’m just a cyclist.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Now my advice: Get some new jeans, or get some blue chairs!

Hope that helped,
Levi