A Guide to Denim wash

                                                    Photo by Emily Lucima from FreeImages

What is Denim Wash ?

It's the finish given to denim to help strengthen and alter the color, texture or feel of the fabric.

                                                                  Raw Denim

These are the unwashed denim.sometime called as dry denim.They are recognized by their blue color and stiff handle.Its straight from mill.

                                                                 Acid Wash

Referred to as marble or moon wash.Basically pumice stones are soaked in chlorine and then they are added during the wash process.There should not be a single drop of water in the process.

                                                                  Rinse Wash

Its the most basic wash for denim garment.During the construction of denim fabric starch is applied which is harsh to touch .Rinse wash helps to make it soft.

                                                                     Mid Wash

To create the mid blue color level  mid-wash denim undergoes longer washing process to remove more dye.

                                                                 Light Wash

To get light blue color the jean is washed for longer process which is even greater than mild wash .

                                                                                          

                                                             Hand Sanding

The sandpaper is used  to give a distressed look.This water less process is used before washing the garment to give it a worn out and light look.

   

                                                              Whsikering

The jeans with faded crease in the are like thighs,crotch and back of the knees are the result of Whiskering .Whiskering uses rods strategically placed at the places where you want to create false creases.

                                                               Enzyme Wash

An eco friendly process ,which uses cellulases to degrade the cellulose found in denim.It redcuesthe risk of damage to the garment.

                                                             All over tinting

This is adding multiple dyes during washing process. Commonly used are Brown and Green tints to give a browned off or green finish.

                                                              Coated Denim

For greater life of garment PU (Polyurethane) coating is applied on the fabric in the mill after weaving.

                                                                 Vintage

To give that worn in look ,different color levels ,different tint ,scraping whiskering ,PPspary and grinding is used.