14 Types of Wash in Apparel Washing Industry

The Apparel Industry, various washing techniques are applied to garments to enhance their appearance, feel, and performance. 

Different Types of Wash Applied in Apparel Washing Industry

Here is an overview of the different Types of Wash processes commonly used:

1. Garment Wash

• Purpose: Soften the fabric, remove stiffness, and give a worn or vintage look.
• Types:
• Normal Wash: Basic washing to clean the fabric and give a soft finish.
• Soft Wash: Uses softeners to provide a very soft hand feel.
• Silicone Wash: Adds a slick and smooth feel to the fabric, using silicone-based softeners.

• Purpose: Achieve a worn-out appearance with slight variations in color and texture.
• Process: Garments are washed with pumice stones that roughen the fabric and give it a distressed look.

• Purpose: Produce a marbled or cloudy appearance.
• Process: Pumice stones soaked in acid are used to remove color from the fabric in a random pattern, creating contrast.

• Purpose: Provide a smoother, softer fabric with a slightly worn look.
• Process: Enzymes break down the cellulose in the fabric, reducing stiffness and creating a softer feel.

• Purpose: Lighten the color of the fabric or create a faded effect.
• Process: A controlled application of bleach removes some of the color, creating a lighter, distressed appearance.

• Purpose: Give garments a worn, old look.
• Process: Multiple washes, including stone, enzyme, and soft washes, may be combined to create a vintage effect.

• Purpose: Create a faded, worn look with slight color changes.
• Process: Pigments applied during the wash process fade away slightly, leaving a soft, weathered appearance.

• Purpose: Remove fuzz and pilling, giving a cleaner surface.
• Process: Enzymes are used to remove protruding fibers from the fabric, resulting in a smoother texture.

• Purpose: Achieve a faded or distressed effect, particularly on denim.
• Process: High-pressure air mixed with sand is blasted onto the fabric, abrading the surface to create worn areas.

• Purpose: Simulate the natural creases that develop with wear.
• Process: Fine lines or creases are added to areas like the thighs and behind the knees using laser, hand sanding, or special equipment.

• Purpose: Environmentally friendly wash that reduces the use of water and chemicals.
• Process: Ozone gas is used to bleach the garment and give a faded look without using harsh chemicals.

12. Caustic Wash

• Purpose: Produce a smoother, brighter finish.
• Process: A caustic soda solution is used to swell and soften the fibers, improving the hand feel and appearance.

13. Peach Finish Wash

• Purpose: Create a soft, velvety texture.
• Process: The fabric is abraded slightly to produce a soft, peach-skin-like feel.

• Purpose: Add a subtle tint or hue to the fabric.
• Process: A small amount of dye is applied during the wash to give a slight color change, often used in conjunction with other washes.