What is piece washing?

The change of the visual effect on the product is briefly called as piece washing. Type of washing applied depends on the criteria below:

• Type of the product
  
• Desired washed effect
  
• Strength of the material
  
• Properties of the used ac

What are the washing types?

STONE WASHING 
ENZYME WASHING
BLEACHING
NORMAL WASHING
SILICON WASHING
SAND WASHING
ICE WASHING
SNOW WASHING
RODEO PROCESS

What is stone washing?

A special kind of stone called pumice stone is used in stone washing. Depending on the thickness of the fabric and the density of the desired used look, different kinds of pumice stone may be used. The important point in this process is the fabric's strength to cope with the physical reaction between the stone and the product. We call washing as a physical- chemical occurrence. Physical occurrence happens when the fabric contacts with another product and also with the machine. Since the long lasting durability of the fabric is an important issue especially in recent years, the use of chemicals also has been introduced in the washing process. Enzymes are one of the most important chemicals. With the help of enzymes used together with stone, the washing time has decreased importantly, giving less damage to the fabric. Finish processes such as rinsing, fading, softening, are called before the name stone washing as follows:  Stone washing+ fading, enzyme stone washing, heavy stone washing, stone washing + silicon. These processes are the most frequent ones that are used.

What is enzyme washing?

The use of micro organisms in the process has brought a totally new aspect to washing. As explained in the paragraph above, enzyme's effect together with the stone cannot be abandoned. Enymes (alpha amylase based) are used in pre-washing. Stone enzymes (cellulose based ones are preferred.) are used in stone washing. Enzymes (acid based) are used in hairy and/or feathered products. These enzymes are frequently used with Tencel or viscon involving fabrics.

What is bleaching?

Bleaching may also be called as fading and supering. It is a downing reaction done after stone or normal washing. Potassium permanganate or sodium hypochlorite (HYPO) is used. Glucose is also used in Europe, but it is an expensive method. A perfect neutralization is a must after these fading/ bleaching processes. If done so, there would be no side effects for the end users.

What is normal washing?

It is also known as rinse. In this type of washing, only softening is used. The end users should be warned since colouring of the other products is a high possibility. Since indigo dye is used in this process, the end result cannot be prevented.

What is silicone washing?

The process of softening done by the use of macro or micro emulsion softeners known as silicone oil is called silicone washing. There might be silicone spots unless it is performed very carefully. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get rid off these spots once appeared.

What is sand washing?

The use of really very small sized pumice stone in the process is called sand washing. In the washing terminology, it is called as stone washing. This process is usually used in knitted garments.

What is ice washing?

The process of giving the denim a really very light blue colour is called as ice washing. Since high quantities of hypo and permanganate are used to get the desired colour, neutralization processes should be performed very carefully. It should be kept in mind that due to the use of high amounts of chemicals, the strength of the fabric would be diminished. The risk of yellowing in this process is higher than the other ones. Thus, one should take into consideration the conditions of storage. Presenting the product on the shopping windows might also cause problems. Because of the use of high amounts of hypochlorite, stain and other types of spots may occur.  Permanganate is used in lycra containing fabrics to eliminate any problems, since lycra might be destroyed.

What is snow washing?

In snow washing, the pumice stone is soaked in downing chemicals, and only the product and the soaked pumice stone gets in reaction. Since there is no water or any other catalyser, the physical contact between is at its extreme. Thus, only really very strong fabrics may be used in this process.

What is rodeo?

The process of blowing pressurized thin and special sand to the denim product is called rodeo.

What is tint process?

Tint process can shortly be called as dirtying dyeing. It is a shortened version of normal dyeing.

What are the fashion processes?

1) Wrinkle-free processes
2) Moustache and sandpaper processes
3) Breaking processes
4) Degrading and batik processes
5) Fading by brush and spray
6) Destroy processes
7) Local tint processes

What are the problems that may come up in fashion processes?

Polymer based chemicals used in wrinkle-free processes may cause a lack of strength on the fabric. These products would probably be durable only for 4-5 household washings.

The same problem occurs in the breaking process since similar types of chemicals are used.
Fading finishing processes would result in heterogeneous effects.

Destroy processes is a general name for destroying pre-located parts of the product by using special tools.
Local tint process is a general name for spraying different kinds of dyeing materials on the desired locations of the product.
Since all these processes above are hand-made by using different kinds of tools, it is not possible to get all homogeneous products. Certain differences should be expected in the production compared to the sample. Briefly 100% conformity is not possible. Thus, these details should be taken into consideration before going thorough production.

What are the problems involved in the washings of woven textiles?

All these different washing types above are applied to denim products. However, if the fabric is gabardine and also with a light colour, fading and rodeo processes are not generally used. The fabric and the thread type and strength play an important role on deciding which type of washing should be applied. In addition, metal accessories, labels, printings and embroidery should be taken into consideration.
Free washing and drying plays an important role on the shrinkage of the fabric process of the fabric and having true shrinkage rates would make the production easier with the least amount of turnover. The leading factor of shrinkage is free drying. Temperatures above 80 C and shock drying methods are risky. There is also an argument about the duration of the drying process. However, research so far has showed that it is the temperature, not the duration of the drying process that affects the shrinkage rates. If the shrinkage test comes up with a wrong result, the damage is tremendous. Thus, it is better to make these tests a few times before going into the production.

What are the problems involved in the washings of knitted textiles?

As known knitted products is the most risky group in washing. The finishing processes of the fabric such as, and printing should be applied carefully and there should be a close connection between the fabric producer and the washing facility to eliminate any possible problems. If the product is going to go through stone washing, even the thread type is important, and cotton thread should be preferred. Sewing threads should be strong enough to handle different types of washing processes. More care should be given to light products (such as 20/1, 30/1 supreme and pique). At these qualities even inappropriate sewing needles might cause problems. Hairing-feathering of the knitted product is one of the most frequently seen problems. In order to solve this problem, anti pilling process is applied. However, the weight loss of the fabric, and the loss of strength shows that these types of fabrics need special attention.
Shrinkage tests are especially important in knitted textiles turn and high shrinkage rates cause problems. It would be easier to handle these problems during the finishing processes of the fabric production.