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