Denim Wash:
Denim is a rugged cotton twill textile, in which the weft passes under two or more warp fibers, producing the familiar diagonal ribbing identifiable on the reverse of the fabric. In denim, garment washing is done to produce effects like color fading with or without patchiness, crinkles, seam puckering, hairiness, de-pilling, softened-hand feel, stabilized dimensions, etc. Denim washing is the aesthetic finish given to the denim fabric to enhance the appeal and to provide strength. This creates what many feel to be a more natural, unique look than pre-distressed denim. Flow chart of denim washing is as follows:
Flow Chart of Denim Washing
BATCHING
↓
LOADING
↓
DESIZING
↓
ENZYME WITH STONE WASH
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ENZYME KILLING
↓
DECOLORIZATION (BLEACH/ACID WASH)
↓
NEUTRALIZATION OF CHLORINE /NEUTRALIZATION OF MNO2
↓
NEUTRALIZATION (WITH ACETIC ACID)
↓
FINISHING/ SOFTENING
↓
DRYING
Denim washing is the aesthetic finish, which is given to the denim fabric to enhance the appeal and to provide strength. In the case of denim washing, several wash effects can be produced such as- color fading with or without patchiness, seam puckering, de-pilling, crinkles, hairiness, etc. But denim washing follows a process flow-chart, by which all the mentioned effects can be achieved easily.
Bangladesh is always known for artisans to make a reputation within the garment industry from muslin to denim fabrics. Today Bangladesh ranked as the second-largest denim garments producer and exporter after China. Bangladesh is exporting denim products approximately 200 million pieces per year. According to BTMA, Bangladesh has around 35 denim fabrics manufacturing mills, which produce over 435 million yards of fabrics per year. Some time ago, Bangladesh was totally dependent on imported denim fabrics, but now Bangladesh produces about 50% demand of the country and also exporting to globally renowned brands. Global trade will be boosted to the total denim exports to 7 Billion USD by 2021.
Author of this Article: Rahat Khan Dept. of Apparel Manufacturing Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology Cell: +8801717781833