Development of Permanganate-Free and Stone-Free Ecological Snow Washing Process for Denim Products

Denim products are still popular today, as they provide wearing comfort and a sense of specialness to those who wear them. The most important factor that makes it popular is the denim washing processes that give the final appearance to denim products. Permanganate and stone washing processes are two of the most frequently applied methods in washing processes. Although the chemical potassium permanganate provides a good bleaching effect, it is a harsh chemical that is harmful to human health and to the environment. In this study, it is aimed to eliminate the stone and permanganate used in denim washing process by imparting the snow washing process, which is also available in our company, and to eliminate the environmental pollution caused by permanganate and stone, and thus lower the problems affecting manpower. It is aimed to find a solution to the problems of loss of strength in the product, tearing in the belt parts, the formation of broken traces and the presence of stone fragments in the wastewater by performing the permanganate and stone-free ecological snow washing process without permanganate and stone. After completion of the process, the physical performance of the products (tensile strength, tear strength and stretch & growth) were tested, and color removal effectiveness was observed, and thus the effects of the snow washing process on the performance properties of the denim product were examined. It has been observed that the desired effect as well as the strength values are in accordance with the standards.