A post-manufacturing chemical washing process that strips the top layer of dye from fabric to create a faded, vintage, or mottled aesthetic.
Acid Wash (also commonly referred to as Mineral Wash or Stonewash) is a specialized post-manufacturing chemical textile finishing process that produces a highly distinct, mottled, faded, and vintage aesthetic. The process involves taking fully constructed, pre-dyed cotton garments and tumbling them in commercial washing industrial drums alongside porous pumice stones that have been heavily pre-soaked in a chemical bleaching agent (such as sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate). As the drums spin, the bleach-soaked stones randomly scrape and impact the outer surface of the fabric, stripping away the outer layers of fabric dye in a highly uneven, high-contrast pattern while leaving the base cotton fibers intact. This results in an incredibly popular retro, distressed streetwear look where every single garment turns out slightly unique. Because acid washing acts as a intensive wet-wash process, it also dramatically softens the cotton fibers and completely pre-shrinks the garment, providing an exceptionally comfortable, ready-to-wear feel.