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Let's learn about the SNOW WASH process
Let's learn about the SNOW WASH process
Snow wash is an innovative washing process that integrates chemical oxidation with physical grinding to create an irregular, snowflake-like fading effect on the surface of denim fabrics within apparel companies. This unique process is distinguished by its core reliance on the synergistic effect of potassium permanganate solution and pumice, producing a distinctive aged texture and artistic visual presentation sought after by fashion manufacturing companies and wholesale clothing suppliers.
I. Process Flow
1. Pretreatment: Soak dry natural pumice (mostly 5-10 cm in size) in potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) solution to ensure that the pumice fully absorbs the oxidant，preparing it for the subsequent stages in the garment factory.
2. Main processing stage
(1) Dry grinding operation: In the rotary drum washing machine, the pumice soaked in potassium permanganate is directly ground against the clothes. Through friction,the contact points of the fabric undergo oxidation, resulting in fading and the formation of white spots, characteristic of chinese clothing manufacturing excellence.
(2) Time control: The grinding duration is usually 20 to 40 minutes. A longer duration leads to a larger fading area and a denser distribution of snowflake-like spots, enhancing the aesthetic appeal for fashion clothes supplier.
3. Post-processing
(1) Neutralization treatment: Use oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) or sodium thiosulfate to neutralize the remaining potassium permanganate. This terminates the oxidation reaction and prevents excessive fiber damage, crucial for maintaining the integrity of custom clothing for men and personalised sports clothing.
(2) Cleaning and drying: After removing the pumice dust, it undergoes water washing, softener treatment and drying to enhance the touch.
II. Visual and Tactile Characteristics
1.Visual Effects
(1) Irregular Snowflake Patterns:
The faded areas exhibit randomly scattered white spots, mimicking natural wear and tear, thereby lending the clothing a retro artistic ambiance, popular among fashion manufacturing companies and custom clothing makers.
(2) Gradual Gradation:
By meticulously managing the distribution of pumice and the intensity of grinding, a three-dimensional, smooth transition between light and dark hues is accomplished, appealing tomens clothing manufacturers focusing on intricate designs.
2.Touch Change:
The fabric surface acquires a delicate fuzz as a result of oxidation, offering a soft touch with a matte finish, ideal for personalised sports clothing and wholesale clothing vendors prioritizing comfort.
III. Application Scenarios
1.Denim Products:Extensively utilized in jeans, jackets, and more, intensifying the retro flair; preferred by outwear manufacturers and clothing brands.
2.Special Fabrics:Suited for denim with a high cotton content. When paired with stone washing and enzyme washing, it further enhances the texture and layered effect, highly valued by china manufacturing clothing experts and fashion clothes suppliers.
Iv. Process Advantages and Risks
1.Advantage
(1) Artistic Expressiveness: The snowflake pattern effect produced is natural and irreplaceable, perfectly catering to the needs of personalized design in fashion jeans factories and custom jeans manufacturers settings.
(2) Controllability: By adjusting factors such as the size of pumice, the concentration of potassium permanganate, and the grinding time, the intensity of fading can be precisely controlled, ensuring high-quality output for clothing design manufacturers and clothing brand manufacturers.
2.Risk
(1) Fiber Damage: Excessive potassium permanganate concentration or incomplete neutralization can easily lead to fabric brittleness, impacting the durability of products from apparel company.
(2) Environmental Protection Pressure: Wastewater containing potassium permanganate necessitates professional treatment to mitigate environmental pollution, aligning with the sustainable practices of chinese clothing manufacturing industry.
V. Precautions
(1) Equipment Protection: After grinding, the stone chips must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent residues from wearing down subsequent equipment in the garment factory setting.
(2) Safety Monitoring: The pH value must be strictly monitored during the neutralization process to prevent chemical residues from affecting the safety of the fabric, ensuring compliance with industry standards for wholesale clothing suppliers and wholesale clothing vendors.
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