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Hi there

I bought a couple of new denim jackets off eBay - they're brand new, so rather stiff and the buttons are a bit difficult to undo and do up.

What's the easiest and cheapest way to unstiffen them?

2006-10-17 04:35:41 · 59 answers · asked by Aisha C 2 in Beauty & Style Fashion & Accessories

59 answers

Wash them!

2006-10-17 10:06:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anarchy99 7 · 3 2

Most of these are good answers for the most part but to some lesser or greater extent will age your new jackets and if you do not want that then you can just place it in a sink of cool water with alot of fabric softener in it. I asked my sister what she wanted with a lace jacket she had that was stiff and she did not want it washed or to have it aged so I put it in a sink of warmer water with so much fabric softener. Then rinsed it well and hung it up to dry. No aging looked new but soft. It probably has alot of sizing in it which this will help soften it. Drying may shrink the jacket such that the holes may get smaller. Sometimes they do not cut the sewing all the way so look at it carefully and if not open all the way be careful and cut a little bit more with scissors or a seam ripper but be careful you can cut way too far into it if they are just too small but I would try softening the jacket first. Watch out some of these answers may ruin your jackets.

2006-10-18 15:21:11 · answer #2 · answered by Faerieeeiren 4 · 2 0

I don't know about the fabric softener suggestions, but I will offer a warning about the others, such as steel wool or steel brush, sandpaper or the hammering ideas.

These techniques soften the buttonholes by breaking down the fibers. This will result in WEAKENING the material, subjecting it an early breakdown and failure. The threads will tear, unravel and result in an "old," beat up denim jacket. If this is the look you want, then, no problem. but if you want to retain the jacket's apearance, then you want to gradually STRETCH the fabric, not break it down.

You do this by using the button holes, not beating them up. I would definetly Try the fabric softener idea. These products work by relaxing the fibers. I don't know if this weakens the fabric, but scraping and grinding it does.

2006-10-19 07:19:48 · answer #3 · answered by Vince M 7 · 1 0

Take them to a self service laundromat.

Use Woolite on cold wash. Bin 1
Put in Fabric Softener. Bin 2 More than usual.
Wash/spin/

Repeat this step 1 more time on same washer. Wash in cold with woolite, put in liquid softener isn correct bin. Should be softening up soon!

Or actually rub in the fabric softener liquid along button wholes prior to putting in the jackets in the washing machine.

Maybe add a 1/4 cup of salt to the wash???

2006-10-17 17:06:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

If you have the money, take them to a dry-cleaners and ask if they can! Otherwise, get ya some epsom salt or regual doesnt matter but ya need alot, run ya bathtub on warm water, make sure the salt is disovled befor you put the jackets in, this is the weird part put them in and step on em or just let em soak, but the presure from your weight helps, but the salt will soften the material, you can just run them through your washer afterwards! Its better than running them through the waher a few times.

2006-10-19 05:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by violettelillyrose81 2 · 1 0

Take the fabric where the buttonholes are and use your hands to twist it for a while. Also use something in the holes, like a dowel, drumstick, or a couple of pencils. Rotate and twist the item to enlarge the holes and soften the material. Washing the jackets and using fabric softener may also help.

2006-10-17 12:13:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 7 0

Ashia : according to denim jackets that yourself brought from
Ebay what softens button holes use leather soap very best idea
that I do reccomend sure get some leather softener good stuff

2006-10-18 04:15:09 · answer #7 · answered by toddk57@sbcglobal.net 6 · 1 0

put a pencil through buttonholes and just work it around for a while. this will soften the material and stretch the holes. I do this on my clothes and it works and cost nothing but a few minutes of your time.

2006-10-19 13:05:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I would try washing the jackets and using fabric softener. (that is, only if they are machine washable.) I wish you good luck. Otherwise time and use will cause the button holes to be less stiff.

2006-10-18 01:04:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Washing it is necessary. Fabric softener is cool. There are definitely some good ideas already written as answers here.

If you decide to follow the sandpaper idea, I would use a fine grain finishing sandpaper like 400 grit or finer...

Stretching it is a good idea...

2006-10-18 11:19:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

when u wash ur denim jacket..make sure not to scrub it with a brush..always remember to handwash them only..and dont forget to use a fabric softener..this will help soften not just the button holes but the whole jacket itself..hope this helps...

2006-10-18 12:12:19 · answer #11 · answered by iced bud 2 · 1 0

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