Bleach wash
Also known as: Bleach wash, Chlorine wash
Wash with sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate for controlled brightening of denim or cotton fabrics — produces heavily washed-out, often area-wide bleaching look.
Description
Bleach wash is a chemical bleach treatment of indigo-dyed or otherwise dyed cotton fabric. Classically, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, active chlorine) at 1-5 g/L active chlorine is used in the drum wash. Alternative bleaching agents are potassium permanganate (more aggressive, for local spray bleaching), hydrogen peroxide (milder, more eco-friendly) or ozone (dry, very modern).
Unlike stone wash which mechanically removes the outer colour layers, bleaching agents oxidise the indigo dye molecules into a colourless reduction product. The result is an area-wide, often grey-beige brightening. After bleaching an anti-chlorine aftertreatment with sodium bisulfite or hydrogen peroxide must always follow, otherwise residual chlorine will continue to burn the fibre.
Bleach wash is ecologically problematic: chlorine residues in wastewater can form AOX compounds, permanganate releases manganese. More and more producers therefore switch to ozone or enzyme bleach. The look is popular for vintage fashion, boyfriend jeans and retro denim.
Properties
| Chemistry | Hypochlorite, permanganate or peroxide |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Area-wide brightening, grey-beige tendency |
| Care | Anti-chlorine aftertreatment mandatory |
| Environmental profile | AOX formation, modern alternative ozone |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Bleichen Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleichen
