How to Stonewash Cotton Knit Fabric

Stonewashing is generally associated with denim-related items, such as jeans. Retailers and designers have formatted whole departments geared toward the different stonewashing techniques. Stonewashing offers a relaxed, aged and unique look to the ordinary consumer as well as fashionista. Most manufacturers have relied on the pumice stone, chemical stonewashing or enzyme washes in order to achieve the same effect. By using these techniques with industrial washing machines, your knit fabrics can have the same finish.

Things You'll Need

• Pumice stone or chemical stonewashing treatment (must be done at a stonewashing facility)
• Industrial washing machine or facility

Instructions

1. Launder your knit fabric. When purchasing your fabric, make sure it is not 100 percent colorfast to ensure that the stonewashing can distress the textile fibers as much as possible. If you are treating several yards, make sure your fabric is open and not folded. It is best to add an enzyme wash to soften the fabric. You can purchase enzyme laundry detergent and add to your wash. This will make your fabric appear a bit worn and slightly faded.

2. Research industrial stonewashing facilities. This process can damage a home washing machine. The facility will add pumice stones to the drum of an industrial machine. The stones will cause an abrasive effect on the fabric and naturally distress the cotton fibers.

3. Ask about chemical stonewashing, which is a softer treatment than pumice stones. Manufacturers replace the pumice with synthetic stones, which break down and disintegrate into the water while washing. With knits such as T-shirts with chest pockets, stones are often inserted into the pocket to ensure stonewash patterns and ridges into the fabric from the inside out.

References

• Companya: Apparel Glossary