A heavy denim BBQ apron is not delicate. It is designed to take heat, fat splatter, smoke, and extended use. But how you wash it and store it will determine how long it lasts and how well it holds its shape. Here is what we recommend for the Gaucho — and for heavy denim aprons in general.
Washing
- Machine wash at 30°C — hot washes will shrink heavy denim and can cause colour loss on indigo-dyed fabric. Cold or cool wash is better.
- Turn inside out — protects the outer face from abrasion in the drum and reduces fading on the outer surface.
- Do not use bleach — bleach breaks down the denim fibres and will cause colour patching on indigo fabric.
- Wash separately for the first three washes — new heavy denim can shed a small amount of dye. This reduces after a few washes.
Removing fat and smoke stains
Fat stains respond best to a pre-treatment with a small amount of washing-up liquid or a dedicated degreaser (Fairy works fine) applied directly to the stain before washing. Work it in with a soft brush, leave for ten minutes, then wash as normal.
Smoke staining is less of a stain and more of a patina — it is absorbed into the outer fibres over time and contributes to the character of the apron. It washes lighter but rarely washes out entirely. This is not a problem with the apron. It is the apron doing its job and showing evidence of use.
Drying
- Air dry where possible — hang the apron by the neck strap in a ventilated space. This maintains the shape better than machine drying.
- No tumble dryer on high heat — high heat will shrink the denim and can affect the strap hardware. If you use a tumble dryer, use the lowest heat setting.
- Iron while slightly damp if you want a flat finish — heavy denim responds well to a hot iron while still slightly damp from washing.
Storage
Hang rather than fold where possible. Folding a heavy denim apron in the same place repeatedly creates permanent crease lines that eventually weaken the fabric at that point. A hook by the grill or in the kitchen is the right storage solution.
When the apron is finished
A well-maintained heavy denim apron should last five to ten years of regular use. The hardware — buckles, D-rings, clips — will outlast the fabric. When the fabric eventually wears at the stress points, that is a real limited edition item that has genuinely been used up. Replace it with a fresh one and start again.
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