How to Acid Wash Clothes

Acid wash is a cool and pretty way of making a fabric different from average jeans. It was started in the mid-'80s by the Italian company Rifle Jeans, and it has grown in popularity over time. It remains an active style for jean designers.



You can get in on the action with any pair of jeans you may have. Acid-washed jeans can be created in only a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Pumice stones
• Chlorine
• Sodium bisulfite
• Industrial washing machine
• Jeans or other sturdy clothing

Instructions

1. Pumice stones will play an important part of the dying process. Beauty stores, as well as sites like eBay, carry pumice stones.

2. Soak the pumice stones in chlorine. Ask a professional who handles chemicals to inform you of the proper way of handling and disposing of this potent chemical.

3. Load the jeans and the stones into an industrial washer, making sure it is safe for such an endeavor. You also want to be avoid the fumes, and warn others of the same, when acid washing jeans.

4. Check on the jeans after 15 minutes. The typical time it takes is 25 minutes, but you want to check to make sure. You don't want to go too far in either direction with acid washing. Too little can make a fabric look awful, and over-doing it can destroy a great pair of jeans.

5. Keep checking every 10 minutes after that for just the right look.

6. Once the jeans are dyed to perfection, transfer them to another machine, and add "antichlor," sodium bisulfite, to the water they are washed with. Leave them washing for five minutes in this process. This will remove any remaining chlorine.

7. Wash jeans in water for five minutes more to remove any grit from the stones and any possible remaining chlorine.

8. Put the jeans in a high-powered drier until all dry. You now have completed the process of acid washing.

Tips & Warnings

• Try on a pair of jeans before and after they are acid washed. You'll find the jeans will likely be more comfortable after the wash, and they will feel more broken in.

• Ask for the opinion of others when deciding on how much on acid wash look you'd like for your jeans.

• Never instruct or let a child do this!

• Beware of all chemicals in your household, and ask your city how to properly dispose of them.

• Don't try this in a home machine or at a laundry mat. The machines can get seriously damaged by the stones. Make sure it is done in an approved setting.

• Never use a chemical without thoroughly research the hazards and safety for your personal use.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish