Types of Denim Washing

Here are some of the Techniques used to create our jeans ensuring each pair is unique • In this process sprinkler guns, machines, and different types of stones are used :... Pumice stone

Types of Washing in

Denims

PREPARED BY – SUNNY MALHOTRA

PROCESS

Denim Washes & Finishing Processes

• Washed / processed jeans can go through many processes to achieve realistic fading effect or other special wash effects Here are some of

the

Techniques used to create our jeans ensuring each pair is unique

• In this process sprinkler guns, machines, and different types of stones are used :

HISTORY

• The concept of washing the Denim jeans was started by Jack Spencer for the brand Lee

• Stone-wash was first started by Francois Giraud

• The concept of sandblasting was started in 1988 by a number of

branded companies in Italy

1 ABRASION

Process of making garments look worn and aged by scraping or rubbing the surface of the fabric causing abrasion Pumice stones are most

frequently used by industrial laundries

2 ACID WASH

(Marble/ Moon Wash/ Snow Wash)- This finish gives indigo jeans sharp contrasts The process is achieved by soaking pumice stones in chlorine and letting these stones create contrast The process was created in Italy

and patented in 1986

3 ATARI

Japanese term describing the selective fading of the ridges of creases The most common areas for ‘Atari’ are along side seams, on the front and back of the knees, the upper thigh, along the hem, on belt loops and along pocket seams

4 ENZYME WASH

Considered a more efficient and environmentally sound way to stone wash jeans Rather than using pumice stones, organic enzymes

(proteins) are used that eat away at the indigo Jeans finished using

enzymes tend to be stronger than those broken down by traditional

stone washing, as the fabric is not subjected to the same level of abuse

5 RIVER WASHING

A washing process using a combination of pumice stones and cellulose enzymes to give denim a vintage, worn hand The washer is loaded only with stones and fabric for the first cycle Enzymes are introduced for the second stage in combination with the stones and they are tumbled until

a naturally aged look is produced

6 SANDBLASTING

A laundry process performed before washing in which jeans are shot with guns of sand in order to abrade them and cause a worn

appearance While originally done by hand this process is a now

automated at most large laundry house

7 STONEWASHING

A process that physically removes colour and adds contrast A 20 yard roll of fabric, generally 62 inches in width, is put into a 250-pound

washing machine along with pumice stones The fabric and stones are rotated together for a set period of time The washing time dictates the final colour of the fabric- the longer the denim and stones are rotated the lighter the colour becomes and more contrast is achieved The

denim is then rinsed, softened and tumble dried

8 WHISKERING

A fading of the ridges increases in the crotch area and back of the

knees,

which gives the appearance of aged denim It can also be inverse- dark creased in faded denim

Thank you