AM-4101 Online Class-5

Prepared by
Abir Khan
 Bleach Wash
In bleach wash partial color fading effect is produced. Normally in case of bleach wash the garments are
dyed with reactive dye or direct dye. Bleach wash process for cotton garments is described below:
 Here we will consider batch size (100 kg) which is 30% less than machine capacity. Liquor ratio is
1:5 so amount of water is 500 L.
 After loading garments machine is started and desizing agent at 3 g/L i.e 1.5 kg is added in the liquor.
 Liqour temperature is raised to 60c by steam supply and desizing process is continued for 20 mins to
remove the starch material from garments.
 After dropping the liqor 500 L fresh water is loaded and machine started. Following chemicals are
added:
Caustic soda (2%) =2 kg
Hydrogen peroxide (5ml/L) =2.5 L
Stabilizer (2.5ml/L) =1.25 L
Soda ash (2%) =2 kg
 Liqor temperature is slowly raised to 80c by steam supply and processing is
continued for 70 mins.
 The hydrogen peroxide produces per hydroxyl ions which is responsible for
bleaching action. Presence of stabilizer confirms production of per hydroxyl ions.
NaOH indirectly helps in bleaching action. Soda ash is used to maintain the PH at 10
to 11. After desired fading effect liqor is dropped.
 Again 500 L fresh water is loaded and washing at 60c for 5 mins is continued to
clean the garments. Then liqor is dropped and again 500 L fresh water is loaded
with Acetic acid (2ml/L=1 L) and processing continued for 5 mins to neutralize the
garments.
 If soft hand feel is required then 500 L water with 0.1% to 0.5% softener is added and
processing continued for 5 to 10 mins.
 After processing the garments are unloaded into a trolley and hydroextracted to
reduce extra water from garments.
 Stone wash
Stone wash is such kind of washing process that depends on abrasive action on the
garments hence it is suitable for heavy garments like denim. As the process relies on
irregular action of the stones irregular fading effect is produced which is very popular.
Stone wash process for cotton garment is described below:
 Pre-treatment:
Here we consider 100 kg of garments. At 1:5 liquor ratio the garments are loaded in the
machine with 500 L of water. Desizing agent at 1.5% i.e 1.5 kg is added. Temperature is
raised to 60c by steam supply. After 5mins the liquor is dropped and again 500 L of water
are loaded and washing is continued at 40c for 5 minutes. Due to this pre treatment any
starch material will be removed.
 Stone wash:
500 L water are loaded and machine started. Bleaching powder at 4% i.e 4kg and Soda
ash at 8% i.e 8 kg are added. Then Pumice stones are added which is half the volume of
the garments. Size of stones regulate the fading effect. Bleaching powder reduces color
depth and stones produce brushing action of fabric surface. In seam areas like collar,
pocket, side seam more color is faded due to brushing action of stones. Washing time
may vary from 20 to 40 minutes. After desired fading effect the liquor is drained off.
 After treatment:
500 L water and 1kg detergent are added into the machine and washing is
continued at 40c for 5 minutes to remove any adhering colored matters. Then
the liquor is dropped. Then again 500 L water is added. Now fabric softener at
0.5% i.e 500g and 0.5% i.e 500g fluorescent brightening agent are added.
Treatment is continued for 10 minutes. As a result the garments become soft
and color contrast also increases. Then the liquor is dropped off and garments
are hydro extracted to remove the excess amount of water and the garments
are completely dried in drying machine.
 Pumice Stone

 Pumice Stone is a volcanic rock that consists of

highly perforated volcanic glass. Pumice
Stone is created when super-heated and
highly pressurized rock is violently erupted from
a volcano. Pumice Stone can float on water.
 Pumice Stone commonly originated from
Indonesia and Turkey. Different sizes of Pumice
Stones are available, such as 2-5 cm which
known as small Pumice Stone. 3-5 cm which
known as medium size Pumice Stone. And 5-
7cm which is known as Large size Pumice
Stone.
 Pumice stone’s typical chemical composition is:

Disadvantages of pumice stone usage:

Stone-washing the denim with pumice stones has some disadvantages. For instance, stones
could cause wear and tear of the fabric, also it creates the problem of environmental
disposition of waste of the grit produced by the stones. High labor cost occurs as the pumice
stones and their dust particles produced are to be physically removed from the pockets of
the garments and machines by the laborers. Denim is required to be washed several times in
order to completely get rid of the stones. The process of stone-washing also harms big,
expensive laundry machines.