Denim washing: Its process cycle

In order to achieve the optimum effect of washing process on the denim woven fabric in different washing time, various washes were carried out for cotton and cotton-spandex denim fabric by Vishnu Pareek and Shrikant Eklahare, who reveal an assessment of the tensile physical properties and elongation to break after the process cycle.

he word denim comes from the name of a sturdy fabric called serge, originally made in Nimes, France, by the AndrT family. Originally called Serge de Nimes, the name was soon shortened to denim. Denim has been used in America since the late 18th century. Denim was traditionally coloured blue with indigo dye to make blue "jeans", though "jean" then denoted a different, lighter cotton textile; the contemporary use of jean comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy, where the first denim trousers were made.

The history of denim

A popular conception of the entomology of the denim is that it is a contraction or derivative of the French term SERGE DE NIMES. Denim was traditionally coloured blue with indigo dye to make blue "Jeans" though "Jean" then denoted a different, lighter cotton textile; the contemporary use of jean comes from the French word for Genoa, Italy, (Genes), from which the first denim trousers were made. Similarly woven traditional American cotton textile is the diagonal warp-striped hickory cloth that was once associated with railroad mens overalls, in which blue or black contrasting with undyed white threads form the woven pattern. Records of a group of New Yorkers headed for the California gold fields in 1849 show that they took along four "hickory shirts" apiece. Hickory cloth would later furnish the material for some "fatigue" pantaloons and shirts in the American civil war.

Objects of garments washing

• To develop softness in garments: Size materials applied during manufacturing present in the fabric are removed which enhances soft hand feel. Additional softness may be attained by using softener.
• To introduce fading effect: Dyes or pigments are present in the fabric, used during colouration, are washed out locally or partially which result in fading or worn-out effects in the garments.
• To create new fashion: Washing process of garments brings different outlook (faded, colour tinted, etc), thus creating new fashion for the new generation especially for teenagers.
• To satisfy the consumer: As the contraction or extraction (shrinkage) occurs due to washing, the wearer can use the garments after purchase satisfactorily.

Advantages of garments washing

The following advantages are obtained from the garments washing:

• Removal of starch or size materials makes the fabric soft hand feels.
• Softness could be increased by the addition of softener just at the last stage of washing.
• Dirt, spots, impurities, gum, etc, if accumulated in the garments during manufacturing could be removed.
• During washing shrinkage may takes place, therefore after washing there is no possibility to create such problem.
• Washed garments could be worn directly after purchase.
• Faded or worn-out effect could introduced to the garments which creates new fashion.
• Similar outlook can be obtained by different washing techniques.
• Comparatively lower capital is required to set up a washing plant.
• Lower land space and least manpower cost are required to run a washing plant.

Limitations of garments washing

Like other processes the garments washing is also not without som