In the production process of denim, washing is a crucial step in endowing it with a unique appearance and soft handfeel. Among them, the stone - washing process is particularly common. It can give denim a retro and natural style, which is deeply loved by consumers.

 

Principle of the Stone - washing Process

Stone washing, in English as "Stone Washing", its principle is to add pumice stones of a certain size to the washing water and let them rub against the denim garments. During the grinding process, the fibers on the fabric surface gradually wear off, and the white ring - spun yarns inside are revealed. Thus, a blue - white contrast effect is formed on the fabric surface, achieving appearance changes such as aging and fading, and endowing the denim with a unique "weathered" feel.

 

Technological Process of Stone - washing

Preparation Process: Includes color selection, color matching, determining components, etc., laying the foundation for subsequent processes.

Desizing Process: Remove the sizing agent on the denim fabric to make subsequent cleaning and treatment more effective. Commonly used desizing agents are Caustic Soda, which is mainly used for scouring and can help remove the sizing agent on denim fabric. It is crucial for high - temperature scouring of dark - colored fabrics that need heavy color stripping or white fabrics before dyeing; Soda Ash, which has a similar function to caustic soda and can assist in desizing and scouring; Industrial Detergent, which plays a cleaning role and helps to remove impurities and sizing agents on the fabric surface.

Cleaning Process: Remove the dirt and impurities on the fabric surface.

Grinding and Washing Process: This is the core step of stone - washing. The pumice stones and denim tumble and rub in the washing machine to achieve a unique appearance effect.

Washing Process: Conduct two cleanings and soaping to remove the remaining chemicals and pumice debris.

Softening Process: Add silicone softeners (such as silicone oil) to make the denim fabric soft and smooth, increasing the comfort of wearing.

Post - treatment: Dehydration and drying to complete the entire stone - washing process.

 

Features of the Stone - washing Process

Unique Appearance Effect: Stone - washing can make the denim fabric present a gray and old - looking texture, and can also produce special effects such as snowflake - like white dots, forming a natural vintage style to meet consumers' pursuit of fashion and individuality.

Increased Softness: It helps to improve the softness and flexibility of the denim fabric, making wearing more comfortable and at ease.

Controllable Damage Degree: According to factors such as the size and quantity of pumice stones and the grinding and washing time, the degree of wear of the garments can be controlled, ranging from slight wear to severe wear, meeting different design requirements.

 

Commonly Used Chemicals in the Stone - washing Process

In the stone - washing process of denim, in addition to the above - mentioned desizing agents and softeners, the following chemicals are also used:

Bleaching Agents:

Sodium Hypochlorite: Commonly known as bleach water, it is a strong oxidant that can destroy the molecular structure of indigo dye, fade dark - blue fabrics, and achieve the purpose of bleaching and color stripping. It is often used for the rinsing of indigo denim.

Potassium Permanganate: Usually prepared into a solution. Through its strong oxidation, it can eliminate some indigo pigments. In the frying or snow - washing process, it can make the denim fabric form snowflake - like white dots.

Hydrogen Peroxide: An unstable weak dibasic acid that is prone to decomposition. It can change the molecular structure of dyes by its oxidation and is used for oxygen bleaching to fade or whiten fabrics. It is often used for processing black denim clothing.

Other Auxiliaries:

Anti - staining Agent: Used to prevent the indigo of denim from falling and staining other parts during the washing process, such as the monkey position, sand position, pocket cloth, or embroidered position.

Oxalic Acid: After the denim fabric is bleached to the desired degree with potassium permanganate solution, it is used for de - bleaching. Usually, hydrogen peroxide of the same mass needs to be added to assist in de - bleaching.

Sodium Pyrosulfite: It can be used for de - bleaching after bleaching with potassium permanganate solution without the need to add hydrogen peroxide for assistance.

Whitening Agent: It makes the denim fabric more vivid and will show a bright white effect under ultraviolet light.

 

Company Product Introduction

Our company focuses on providing various textile chemicals. The main products include:

Silicone Series: Amino silicone, block silicone, hydrophilic silicone, and all of their silicone emulsions. These products can effectively improve the softness, smoothness, and handfeel of fabrics.

Other Auxiliaries: Wet rubbing fastness improver, which can enhance the color stability of fabrics; Fluorine - free, Carbon 6, Carbon 8 water repellents, meeting different waterproof requirements; Denim washing chemicals, such as ABS, Enzyme, Spandex protector, Manganese remover, etc., providing a comprehensive solution for the denim washing process.

Our products are exported to countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, etc.

If you are interested in our products and want to learn more detailed information, please feel free to contact Mandy.

Tel: +86 19856618619 (Whats app). We look forward to cooperating with you to jointly promote the development of the textile industry.