Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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Introduction:

'Washing' can also refer to the washing of clothing or other cloth items, like bed sheets,

whether by hand or with a washing machine.

Washing is the process & technology which is used to modify the appearance, outlook comfort

ability and fashion of the garments is called garment washing. [1]

Industrial Garments Washing is one of the major important parts for Textile sector. By

industrial garments washing we can remove dust, dirt and infections material. For improving

special look on garments as per fashion requirement.

Garment washing is normally done after stitching. According to fashion trend and customer

demand buyers ask for garment washing. For the washing apparel buyers mention exactly what

types of washing they need for the order. For example, Tom Tailor buyer asked for washes like –

Vintage wash, Cloud wash, softener wash or Acid wash. Each wash has different types of

appearance on the fabric surfaces. Wash types mainly depends on the product types. For denim

product heavy enzyme is required where for knitted Tee light softener wash may be okay.

The primary objects of garment washing is

To remove starch that applied during fabric manufacturing.

To soften the garment hand feel and improve bulkiness

To remove dirt, spots, oil stains that accumulate to garment at the garment manufacturing

processes.

To remove chemicals used during printing process and embroidery process

To fulfill customer demand

Washed clothes can be worn directly after purchasing

To give faded look or any other color tinted look to the garment.

To stabilize garment shrinkage and dimensional instability [6]

Purpose of washing.

Purpose of washing/Best wash look is the best touch of a garment - Garment washing is the best

touch of a garment. Same type of garments can produce several effects for several wash. This

may be explained in the following way: - Like this:

To create wash look appearance, seems the new touch of fashion.

By the washing technique, faded/old, color or tinted affect.

Washing technique creates new fashion such as tagging, grinding, destroy, blasting,

whickering, permanent wrinkle, deep dye, tie dye, p.p spray, hand crapping, p.p

spoonzing etc.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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To reduce size materials that imports soft hand feels.

To attraction the customers/buyer by different types of fashionable washing and market

development.

Due to washing, shrinkage occurs in the garments. There is no possibility of further

shrinkage of the wash garments.

Any dirt, spot or germ if added in the garments during manufacturing is also removed due

to washing.

Washing process of garment is done to create wash look appearance. After washing the

garments create a new looks which seems the new touch of fashion.

By the washing technique, faded/old look, color or tinted affect is created in the garment

which also seems the best touch of garments.

Washing technique create new fashion such as tagging, grinding, destroy, Blasting,

whiskering, permanent wrinkle, deep dye, tie dye, p.p spray, hand crapping, p.p

spoonzing etc. Which is also seems the best touch of garments.

The main and important function of washing is to reduce size materials as a result the

garment become size free and become soft hand feel.

When these soft garments are touched then it seems to best touch of garments.

To attraction the customers/Buyer by different types of Fashionable washing and market

developments.

Objects of garments washing:

To develop softness in garments: Size materials applied during manufacturing present

in the fabric are removed which enhances soft hand feel . Additional softness may be

attained by using softener.

To introduce fading effect: Dyes or pigments are present in the fabric , used during

coloration, are washed out locally or partially which result fading or worn out effects in

the garments.

To create new fashion: Washing Process of garments bring different outlook ( faded,

color tinted etc ) thus creating new fashion for the new generation especially for

teenagers.

To satisfy the consumer :As the contraction or extraction (shrinkage ) occur due to

washing , the wearer can use the garments after purchase satisfactory

Advantages of Garment Washing

1. Starch materials is present in the new fabrics of the new garment are removed, hence

feels soft during use.

2. Softness feeling of garments could be further increased. Washed garment could be wear

directly after purchase from store.

3. Fading affect is produced in the garment in regular or irregular pattern.

4. Fading affect could be produced in the specific area of the garment as per specific design.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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5. Different outlook of garment could be produced in the garment by different washing

techniques.

6. Similar outlook can be produced in the garments by different washing techniques.

7. Initial investment cost to set up a garment washing plant is comparatively lower.

8. Dirts and spots if present in the garment are removed.

9. Shrinkage occurs in the garment washing, hence no possibility of further shrinkage.

10. Removal of starch or size materials make the fabric soft hands feel.

11. Softness could be increased by the addition of softener just at the last stage of washing.

12. Dirt, spots, impurities, gum etc, if accumulated in the garments during manufacturing

could be removed.

13. During washing shrinkage may takes place, therefore after washing there is no possibility

to create such problem.

14. Washed garments could be worn directly after purchase.

15. Faded or worn out effect could introduced to the garments which creates new fashion

16. Similar outlook can be obtained by different washing techniques.

17. Comparatively lower capital is required to set up a washing plant.

18. Lower land space and least manpower cost are required to run a washing plant.

Requirements of garments washing:

1. It should be removed size materials from the garments. Hence feels soft during use.

2. It should be removed any dust, dirt, spot, impurities or germ which is present or added in

garments during manufacturing.

3. It should be shrinkage occurred i.e. no possibility of further shrinkage of wash garments due to

washing.

4. It should be attracted the customers or buyer by using different types of fashionable washing

and market developments.

5. It should be produced similar or different outlook in the garments by different washing

techniques.

6. It should be created wash look appearance in the garments. After washing the garments create

a new looks which seems the new touch of fashion.

7. It should be created color or tinted affect in the garments which also seems the best touch of

the garments.

8.It should be created faded affect in the garments.

9. It should be possible to wearing directly the garments after purchasing from the shop.

10. Should be used new/ modern/ latest machines.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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11. It should also be produced fading affect in the specific area of the garment as per specific

design.

12. It should be comparatively more profitable than others.

Garment washing.

The technology which is used to modify the appearance, outlook comfort ability and

fashion of the garments is called garment washing.

Depending on garments construction different types of washing process can be done.

Twill/Canvas/Knitted/Corduroy - Normal wash, Pigment wash, Caustic, Si wash

Denim/Jeans/Gabardine - Enzyme wash, Stone wash, Bleach wash, Acid wash

Grey fabric- Super white wash

Denim washing Process

Denim washing is aesthetic finish given to denim fabric to enhance the demand and to provide

strength. Dry denim as opposed to washed denim is a denim fabric that is not washed after being

dyed during its production.

Much of the appeal of dry denim lies in the fact that with time fabric will fade in a manner

similar to that which artificially distressed denim attempts to replicate. With dry denim however

such fading is affected by the body of the person who wears jeans and the activities of their daily

life. This creates what many fell to be more natural, unique look than pre distressed denim.

It is a new technology by which outlook, size, comfort ability and fashion of a garment are

changed or modified. This technology was first appeared in Bangladesh in 1988.Before that

washing was carried out only in Hong Kong and Singapore , i.e. after sewing garments were sent

to abroad for washing and again brought here back for finishing , tagging and packing . As a

result, extra overhead cost (freight, washing charge, time consumptions) was drawn in.

There are many types of Industrial Wash. These are:

1. Normal/Detergent Wash(Normal Detergent Wash)

2. Bleach Wash

3. Stone Wash

4. Acid Wash

5. Enzyme Wash

6. Caustic Wash

7. Super-White Wash

8. Combined Wash.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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There is some physical pretreatment related to industrial garments washing. These are Hand

Scraping, Sand Blasting, Whiskering, Tagging, Crinkle Effect, Grinding, and Destroying.

There is also some chemical pretreatment related to industrial garments washing. These are

Potassium per Manganate spray, Color Spray. Color spray is also known as tinting.

For garment dyeing and washing plant some machines and equipments are necessary. These are:

1. Dyeing and washing machine.

2. Hydro extractor.

3. Drying machine.

4. Spray boote.

5. Brushing mannequin.

6. Sand blasting unit.

7. Grinding machine.

8. Hot pressing machine.

9. Tag gun.

10. Minor sewing facilities. [5]

TYPES OF WET AND DRY PROCESS •Normal wash / Garments wash/ Rinse wash.

•Pigment wash.

•Caustic wash.

•Silicon wash.

•Stone wash.

•Enzyme wash.

•Stone Enzyme wash.

•Acid wash.

•Bleach wash.

•Tinting & over dyeing.

•Sand Blasting.

•Hands scraping.

•Over all wrinkles.

•Permanent wrinkle.

•Grinding & Destroy.

•Broken & Tagging.

•P P Spray & P P (potassium perborate) Sponging etc.

NORMAL WASH / GARMENTS WASH

Normal wash is required for the following reasons:-

•To remove dust, dirt, oil spot, impurities from the garments.

•To remove size materials from the garments.

•To remove starch presents on the garment fabrics.

•For soft feeling to wear the garments after purchasing.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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•To achieve buyer washing standard.

Garment washing machine

Depending on garments construction different types of washing process can be done.

1. Twill/Canvas/Knitted/Corduroy - Normal wash, Pigment wash, Caustic ,Si wash

2. Denim/Jeans/Gabardine - Enzyme wash, Stone wash, Bleach wash , Acid wash

3. Grey fabric- Super white wash

To have an idea about washes few washes have been explained below.

1. Heavy enzyme or Vintage Wash: Vintage means old look. To get the old or used

appearance garments are washed inside washing machine with enzymes. Fleece sweat

shirt are washed with heavy enzyme.

2. Cloud wash: Cloud wash gives appearance of white patches on the garment surface that

looks like cloud in the sky.

3. Stone wash: To get faded look on the garment surface white stone are used with

enzymes during washing. During washing fabric come in contact with stones and by

rubbing color fades. Stone wash generally used for denim product washing.

4. Acid wash: For acid wash, base color of the garment taken out by spraying acid on the

specified areas.[2]

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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The changes occur due to the following actions:

1. Mechanical / rubbing / abrasion between garments to garments.

2. Garments to machine; and

3. Chemical action.

Effects of garments washing

1. Change the appearance of the garments.

2. Change the strength of garments:

3. Change the weight of garments:

4. Change in size.

5. Change in color.

6. Change outlook of the garments.

7. Change in comfort.

8. Change in design.

Change the appearance of the garments: The overall appearance is changed by washing by

using different chemical and process. It may be fade or observed tiny crease on the fabric

surface.

Change the strength of garments: Friction between fabric surfaces with rotating drum, fabric

strength is loss. Strength loss is depends on the processing time & types of wash required.

Change the weight of garments: During washing size material may removed, fiber open, yarn

open, fiber migrate from yarn so ultimate weight loss after washing

Change the dimensional stability of garments: During washing ordeal operation is needed. So

dimensional stability of garment may shrinkage or extend. The original shape of garment may

increase or decrease.

Change in size: The original shape of garment may increase or decrease during washing. So

the ultimate size of garment is change.

Change in color: During washing dyed and printed garment are affected by chemical. Some

color washed off from the fabric surface. Color bleed form the surface. Color decay from deeper

to paler shade.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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Change outlook of the garments: Over all out look of garment may changed by washing.

Change in comfort: Clothing comfort is a state of mind when it is at its lowest stress level.

Comfort is defined as the absence of perceived pain- and discomfort. Clothing comfort is a state

of satisfaction indicating physiological, psychological and physical balance among the person.

After washing, garment may soften or hard.

Change in design: By giving different effect on garments, the design of garments is changed.

After washing, wrinkle effect may do by wrinkle wash.

Unavoidable changes / limitations of garments washing

Like other processes the garments washing is also not without some limitations. They included

as below-

Garments size change: Size change takes place due to shrinkage properties of fabric.

The amount of shrinkage properties of fabric determines the size change of the garments.

Size material is partly removed : Unfixed dyes may remain on the surface of the

garments and it is necessary to remove completely after washing.[3]

Conclusion:

Garment washing is the most preferred of today’s youth. Washing gave different look to the

garments. Garments washing are mainly done after stitching. Wash types usually depends on the

product natures and usages. Based on consumer demand and fashion trend, buyer will fix the

washing type of any product. For example, stone enzyme wash is required for denim item but

light softener wash is perfect for knitted item. It is a new technology by which outlook; size;

comfort ability and fashion of a garment are changed or modified. This technology was first

appeared in Bangladesh in 1988.Before that washing was carried out only in Hong Kong and

Singapore , i.e. after sewing garments were sent to abroad for washing and again brought here

back for finishing , tagging and packing . As a result, extra overhead cost (freight, washing

charge, time consumptions) was drawn in.

Apparel wash & Finishing Azmir Latif (MSc. in Textile Engineering)

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Reference:

1. Practice of garment merchandizing & management by Md.Faruk Hosen

2. http://www.onlineclothingstudy.com/2011/02/garment-washing-important-process-in.html

3. https://pautextile.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/denim-washing-process/

4. http://www.slideshare.net/rajeevsharan/garment-washing

5. http.//2.bp.blogspot.com/-3vmboayikzu

6. http://textilelearner.blogspot.com/2014/01/clothing-comfort-brief-description-

of.html#ixzz3Pk3lfdUd