Denim & washing
Enzymes and pumice: reducing stone load without losing the look
Cellulase enzymes can replace part of the pumice in a denim wash. Here is how laundries balance the two to save machine wear, water and sludge.
Pumice has been the traditional tool for stone-wash effects, but heavy stone loads come with costs: worn machine drums, broken stones and grit that end up in the garment pockets and in the effluent. Cellulase enzymes give a similar abraded look by acting on the cotton fibre surface, and most laundries now use them alongside a reduced stone charge.
What each one does
- Pumice works mechanically. It gives sharp, high-contrast abrasion, especially on seams and edges.
- Cellulase enzymes work biochemically. They loosen indigo-dyed fibres on the surface, which the drum action then removes, giving a softer, more uniform fade.
A practical approach
- Start from your current recipe and cut the stone charge step by step.
- Add a neutral cellulase and adjust dose, time and temperature to recover the target look.
- Add an anti-back-staining agent to stop loose indigo from redepositing on pockets and whites.
- Compare the trial garments with the standard under the same lighting before approving.
What laundries usually gain
- Less machine wear and fewer drum repairs
- Less grit to remove from pockets and seams
- A lower solids load on the ETP
- More repeatable results from lot to lot
The right balance depends on fabric, machine and the look the buyer has approved — which is why a side-by-side trial is always worth running.
This article is sample content for the website review.
