Tortured by stiff jeans can anyone help me?!

[Rosemarden]

I have a couple of pairs of M & S Sienna straight jeans. They fit like a dream once I’ve shortened them and at the point of purchase have the most lovely soft fabric with the right amount of give and stretch. As soon as I wash them they become stiff as a board then irritate and itch me to the point where I don’t want to wear them. I’m not overweight and they do fit it is an issue with the fabric.

Is there a way to soften or break them in other than the torture of wearing them for hours? They’re honestly lovely jeans so I don’t want to give up.

Could it be your clothes wash? Do you use fabric conditioner/softener?

White vinegar rather than fabric softener will help and a timescale tablet in with the wash.

I do use softener but they feel so stiff and hard. I have a tumble dryer but haven’t put them in as they fit just right and I don’t want them to shrink.

I am in a high limescale area I did not know about limescale tablets I’m off to investigate!

Jeans often become stiff after washing because water causes cotton fibers to contract, or from leftover soap/mineral buildup, especially when air-dried.

To soften them, tumble dry on low with dryer balls or tennis balls, add Half a cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle, wash inside out, or steam them after.

Don’t wash them too much either. Jeans aren’t designed to be washed. If you want to kill bacteria you can spot wash and put them in the freezer overnight

I have these jeans.
A quick tumble try just a few minutes might help

Thank you I hadn’t thought of a shorter cooler cycle in the tumble dryer.

They'll be very stiff when you take them out of the freezer 😀❄️

How is that helpful? There’s no point in posting something like this.

Did the grin emoji not give you an inkling that this might have been a joke?

It isn’t actually funny though.

It was a bit funny.

I have these jeans, a couple of pairs. Wearing them now. I don’t have the same issues you do - I wash them and they’re fine - a little stiff for 20 mins or something like most jeans after washing, but there’s nothing different about their fabric than other pairs I’ve got.

We have a water softener, and use fabric softener too. I just air dry them.
Maybe try a different washing powder?

I have some socks like this. I whack them against the door jamb a few times before I put them on. Try similar? But make sure the zips/buttons/rivets don't damage your paintwork.

It IS funny, made me smile!

I would suggest tumbling before shortening them just in case they shrink slightly.

Chill!! No pun intended.