How to Professionally Wash Distressed Garments: Technical Key Points and Risk Prevention

In the daily operation of the dry cleaning shops, distressed-style clothing has become a common type, which, however, easily triggers disputes. An expensive vintage denim jacket or distressed T-shirt may have color peeling, local fading, or hardening of texture after just one regular cleaning process. 

This is not due to insufficient technology. However, it is determined by the special production techniques. Only by deeply understanding their secrets can effective cleaning be achieved and customer complaints be reduced.

Why Do Distressed Garments Easily Have Issues During the Laundry Process?

Distressed style is not the natural wear-and-tear from use. Factories use special techniques to quickly simulate the traces of years of wear. While these techniques create a unique appearance, they also significantly reduce the fabric’s color fastness and physical stability. Common techniques are as follows.

● Enzyme Washing 

Using biological enzymes to catalyze the decomposition of fiber surfaces can achieve softening and fading. It is eco-friendly but alters the fiber structure.

● Stone Washing

Industrially washing garments together with pumice stones can create random wear effects through friction, which directly weakens the dye’s adhesion.

● Bleach Washing

Using strong chemicals (sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate) for fading. It causes great damage to the dye structure and then the color is only attached to the surface.

● Spray Whiskering

Precisely spraying potassium permanganate solution on specific areas (waistbands, pockets) to form striped fading. These areas are extremely fragile.

● Sand Washing

Directly sanding areas like collars and cuffs with sandpaper can physically remove dye, which easily causes fiber damage.

● Spray Coloring

Spraying dye on local areas, commonly on edges. This method results in poor color fastness.

Distressing techniques are commonly used on denim clothing, vintage shirts, jackets, T-shirts, and more.

Core Principles and Methods for Washing Distressed Garments

Due to their special properties, conventional laundry methods are often not applicable. It is recommended to follow the professional guidelines below.

● Pre-Treatment Stage

Never directly spot-apply stain removers, as this can easily cause severe local fading.

Gently rinse the inner side of the garment to remove stains and avoid contact with the distressed surface.

● Laundry Process

Wash separately. (prevent color bleeding)

Only use cold water and neutral detergent. Hot water, strong detergents, enzyme-added detergents, or products containing bleach are prohibited.

It is advisable to wash inside out to reduce friction on the surface and increase the retention of the distressed effect as much as possible.

Effective Communication to Avoid Disputes

When accepting distressed garments from customers, the operators should first explain the situation:

“Hello, this distressed garment uses special aging techniques, so its color fastness is usually lower. We will use professional care methods, but there may still be risks of slight fading or unsatisfactory stain removal.”

Informing customers in advance not only shows professional tr ansparency of the dry cleaning shop but also helps build trust and reduce after-sales disputes.

Conclusion

The care of distressed garments is a test for a dry cleaning shop. Understanding the fragility behind these distressing techniques is not an added burden, but an opportunity for them to improve service quality and build professional advantages in this niche area.