Garment washing is normally done after garment stitching. According to the fashion trend and the customers' demand, buyers ask for garment washing for specific product ranges. For the washing, apparel buyers mention exactly what types of washing they need for the order.
For example, I worked with the buyer Tom Tailor and made t-shirts and polo shirts. They asked for garment washing like – Vintage wash, Cloud wash, enzyme wash, softener wash or Acid wash. Each wash has different types of appearance on the fabric surfaces. Wash types mainly depend on product types. For denim product, a heavy enzyme wash is required where for the knitted T-shirt, light softener wash may be okay.
1. Heavy enzyme or Vintage Wash
Vintage means old look. To get the old or used appearance garments are washed inside the washing machine with enzymes. Fleece sweatshirts are washed with the heavy enzyme.
3. Stonewash
4. Acid wash
For example, I worked with the buyer Tom Tailor and made t-shirts and polo shirts. They asked for garment washing like – Vintage wash, Cloud wash, enzyme wash, softener wash or Acid wash. Each wash has different types of appearance on the fabric surfaces. Wash types mainly depend on product types. For denim product, a heavy enzyme wash is required where for the knitted T-shirt, light softener wash may be okay.
Importance of Garment Washing
The primary objects of garment washing inclue- 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 the garment at the garment manufacturing processes.
- To remove chemicals used during the printing process and embroidery process
- Washed clothes can be worn directly after purchasing
- To give a faded look or any other colour-tinted look to the garment.
- To stabilise garment shrinkage and dimensional instability
- To improve bulkiness and soft hand feel
1. Heavy enzyme or Vintage Wash
Vintage means old look. To get the old or used appearance garments are washed inside the washing machine with enzymes. Fleece sweatshirts are washed with the heavy enzyme.
2. Cloud wash
Cloud wash gives the appearance of white patches on the garment surface that looks like a cloud in the sky.
3. Stonewash
To get faded look on the garment surface white stone is used with enzymes during washing. During washing fabric come in contact with stones and by rubbing colour fades. Stonewash generally used for denim product washing.
4. Acid wash
For acid wash, the base colour of the garment taken out by spraying acid on the specified areas.