I can’t count the number of people who have recently asked me what I think about Nudie Jeans, and the suggestion that you don’t wash your denim for six months. Many of these readers have pointed out that the company prides itself on good labor and environmental policies. And one of them noted that the girls in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants didn’t wash their jeans either, so it must be okay.

After some research, I’ve discovered that Nudie suggests that you don’t wash your jeans for AT LEAST six months. Here are a couple quotes from their web site:

“Use your dry jeans as much as possible before the first wash. Six months is a good start.”

and…

“Your everyday life gives the denim its unique character, formed by you into a second skin – personal and naked.”

Hey, I like to be up on the latest trends. I like to support socially conscious companies like this one. And I definitely like the thought of less laundry. But really, six months??

To test the plausibility of this idea, I just pulled yesterday’s jeans out of my laundry hamper. Here’s what I found:

• A lot of mud around the cuffs, from playing in the rain with the kids.
• A small smear of raspberry jam on one thigh. 
• Crushed Cheerios in the pocket, where I stuffed the remains of Julia’s snack.
• Remnants of Matthew’s eye goop on one hip, since I wiped it out of his eye with my finger, then smeared it on my jeans.

Gross! Back in the wash! Cool or not, there’s absolutely no way I’m wearing Matthew’s eye goop for six months.