The Process of Stone Washed Bed Linen Production
Pre washed bed linen is getting more and more poplar among linen bed linen buyers these days. So let’s find out more about the washing techniques. Today let’s look closer at the stone washing process.
As it was mentioned before stone washing is a washing process that includes large stones, most often pumice rock. This way thick natural fabrics like linen or denim – and products made of them line jeans and stone washed bed linen - acquire this broken-in texture, slightly worn out look to them and a slight of fade of the color. This way garments or linen bed linen become softer and nicer to the skin, acquire this shabby chic style and comfortable feel that are so appreciated by modern educated shoppers.
Birth of stonewashed bed linen
Large pumice rocks are placed within industrial washing machines together with linen fabric and get washed for 2-3 times. During this time the rocks rub and pound the fabric.
Then pumice stones are removed and the fabric goes through several rinsing cycles to get rid of all the stone parts that might have broken off and get caught into the fabric. The reason pumice stones are used in this process is because they are lightweight and abrasive and gives the fabric this "stone washed look" easily.
Stonewashing helps to wear out and break in the fabric and make it ready to become stone washed bed linen that is appreciated by customers greatly. After stonewashing linen fabric becomes suppler instead of being stiff and needing some cycles of washing to achieve the same effect.
Disadvantages and things to know
With all above being said, one has to know some things before buying stonewashed bed linen. It’s advisable to check the fabrics and products one is buying beforehand, especially if the seller is unknown. As the materials are washed in large industrial washing machines with large rocks, problems like occasional rips, tears and fraying can arise. Producers concerned with top quality always check this for themselves before selling any products for end users, but to check by yourself would be wise.
Another problem may arise if the process of stone washing is done incorrectly, e.g. too many rocks were included or too many cycles done: the fabric may become too thin and tend to wear and tear much quicker.
To avoid all these risks, modern technology of using enzymes to get the same stone washed look is created and used widely. This process is a chemical wash which gives the fabric the same look and advantages as stone wash but without the wear that the actual stones give it.
