Why Do Jeans Get Weird Ripples After Washing?

At high temperatures in the washer or dryer, Lycra begins to break down. When that happens, the denim fibers around it start to warp too. That’s why you end up with those strange ripples or puckers in random spots — not uniform shrinkage like with pure cotton.

Once Lycra loses its elasticity, there’s really no going back.

And it’s not just heat — washing jeans too often wears down the fibers over time. Most of us wash them far more than necessary. Experts actually recommend washing jeans much less frequently than you’d think, since overwashing shortens their lifespan and ruins that perfect fit.

2. The Washer Twists and Stretches the Fabric