Jeans Acid Wash Guide: 13 Easy Steps for Perfect Results

Jeans Acid Wash Guide: 13 Quick Steps for a Retro Look

How to Acid Wash Jeans: 13 Simple Steps for Perfect Results

What is Acid Wash Process?

Acid washing is a process done on denim pants by using chemicals and abrasives to create an uneven faded effect, and high-low contrast. For acid wash, potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) and pumice stone is used. Sometimes, bleaching powder is used instead of potassium permanganate.

Objectives of Acid Wash

1. Create a worm, vintage look by fading certain areas of the denim pant.
2. Acid wash enhances the visual appearance with a high-low contrast.
3. Acid wash creates a marbled effect on denim pants.
4. It creates extra market value for the denim pants.
5. It also softens the denim fabric by repeating wash and abrasion.

Flow Chart of Acid Wash

Let’s come to learn flow chart of acid wash. But, flow chart of acid wash may change according to standard sample.

Recipe of Acid Wash of Jeans Pant

This recipe is for 50 pcs garments. Recipe totally depend on standard sample.

Process	Water(L)	Time(min)	Temperature(0C)	pH	Chemical	Chemical Qty(gm)
Desizing	200	15	60		Desizing agent	70
					L.P-30	70
Rinse(2times)	300	3×2	cold
Bleach	200	5-10 (check)	45		Bleach KCl	250
Rinse(2times)	300	3×2	cold
Neural	200	5	45		Hypo	250
Acid wash		5-10 check			Stone	2 bag
					potassium permanganate	35
					Phosphoric acid	10
Rinse(2times)	300	3×2	cold
Neural	200	5	45		Meta by sulfite	250
Rinse(2times)	300	3×2	cold
Softener	150	5	Cold		Mesoft-ccs Flakes ( cataionic)	250

Working Procedure of Acid Wash Process

Step-1: De-sizing

• Add 200 L of water to the machine and load the garments in the washing machine.
• Now, set the temperature 60⁰ C and run the machine for 15 minutes.
• Add desizing agent and L.P-30
• Purpose: Desizing process remove the size materials from the denim pants.

Step-2: Rinse

• Load the machine with 300 L cold water.
• Run the machine 3 minutes for 2 times.
• Purpose: Rinsing process remove residual chemicals and loose impurities of the garments.

Step-3: Bleach

• Add 200 L water and set the temperature to 45⁰ C.
• Add the bleach agent KCl and run the machine 5-10 minutes. After 5-10 minutes check the bleach shade. If shade is ok, then drain out the water.
• Purpose: Lighten the pants and prepare for acid wash.

Step-4: Rinse (2 times)

Step-5: neutralization

• Add 200 L of water to the machine.
• Add hypo as a neutralizing agent.
• Set the temperature 45⁰ C and run for 5 minutes.
• Purpose: neutralize the bleaching agent to avoid fabric damage of the denim pant.

Step-6: Rinse (2 times)

Step-7: Hydro-extractor and dryer

• Now, garments send to the hydro-extractor section. In hydro-extractor section, extra water removes from the garments
• Finally, dryer the garments to dry.

Step-8: Acid wash

• Clean the wash drum with dried fabric to remove the extract water.
• Load the pumic stone to the machine and add the require chemicals.
• Run the machine for well mix chemicals and stone.
• Now, load the garments.
• After 5-10 minutes, check the garments. If desire effect find, unload the garments.
• Purpose: Create acid wash effect with fading.

Step-9 : Rinse (2 times)

Step-10: neutralization

• Add 200 L of water and set the temperature 45⁰ C.
• Add Na-Meta bi sulfide as naturaalizing agent and run the machine for 5 minutes.
• Purpose: Neutralize the remaining chemicals and stop for further reaction.

Step-11 : Rinse (2 times)

Step-12: softener

• Add 150 L of cold water and cationic softerner
• Run the machine for 5 minutes
• Purpose: Increase the softness and hand feel of the garments.

Step-13: Hydro-extractor and dryer

• Now, garments send to the hydro-extractor section. In hydro-extractor section, extra water removes from the garments
• Finally, dryer the garments to dry.

Watch the full video about acid wash process on denim pant

Advantage of Acid Wash

1. Acid wash gives fashionable as well as vintage look of the denim pant.
2. Acid wash gives unique look because each garment has a distinct and individualized design.
3. It creates market value of the garments.
4. It also help to makeup the small defects in the fabric.
5. Acid wash makes the denim pant more comfortable to wear.

Disadvantage of Acid Wash Jeans

1. In acid wash, pumice stone is used which is responsible for weakening the fibers and reducing durability.  
2. Marble effect come more or less owing to stone selection.
3. A yellowish tone may appear on denim pant owing to the acid wash.
4. Residual chemicals can cause irritation on skin if not washed out completely.
5. Result of acid wash effect is unpredictable and it is hard to control the whole process.

FAQ

What chemicals are used in acid wash?

The main ingredient use in acid washing is potassium permanganate, Phosphoric acid,Meta by sulfite, and pumice stone. Besides, desizing agent, L.P-30, enzyme, bleaching agent, and softener are used in acid wash process.

What is the process of acid wash in denim?

There are several steps of acid wash. Initially, garments are treated with de-sizing agent, enzyme, and bleaching agent to remove some color of the garments. Then, clean the machine and load it with pumice stone. Now, potassium permanganate is mixed with pumice stone. After soaking 2-3 minutes, the garments were iloaded in the machine. Then, after 5 minutes check the Sade. if ok, unload the garment from the machine.

Why it is called ”Acid Wash”?

Though, the main ingredient of the acid wash is potassium permanganate, but it is called acid wash. Because Phosphoric acid or acetic acid are used to increase the intensity of potassium permanganate. potassium permanganate only can’t create the acid effect without acid. That’s why it is called acid wash.

Conclusion

After stone wash, acid wash process is the oldest fashion wash in denim. Although acid wash is hard to control, it creates extra market value for denim pants. The young generation is keen to buy these types of pants.  However, the aim of this article was to brief the whole acid washing process with the typical recipe. If you have any questions about this article, feel free to ask me below acid-washing the comments box.