Custom Garment Wash & Finishing
Acid Wash Clothing, Made to Order
Linushi is a custom apparel factory producing acid wash clothing for streetwear labels, fashion brands, and merch lines worldwide. We turn blank cotton tees, hoodies, and denim into bold, high-contrast vintage pieces using a controlled, repeatable wash recipe — with strike-offs approved before bulk, so every drop lands exactly as designed.
What Is Acid Wash?
The Process Behind Acid Wash Clothing
Acid wash clothing is apparel finished with a garment-wash process that strips dye unevenly to create a high-contrast, marbled, faded look — the cloudy blue-and-white effect that defined 1980s denim and now anchors modern streetwear. The name is a misnomer: no aggressive acid is involved. The marbling comes from oxidising agents — chlorine bleach or, for a softer and more controlled result, potassium permanganate — applied through pumice stones tumbled with the garment.
At Linushi we run the wash on a tested recipe rather than by guesswork. We pre-wash and desize the garment, soak the stones, tumble in a monitored drum, then neutralise, rinse, and soften so the finish is safe to wear and consistent across the run. Because the effect is naturally irregular, no two pieces are identical — that one-of-a-kind character is exactly what buyers want, and a documented recipe keeps the family resemblance tight from sample to bulk.
How It’s Made
How the Acid Wash Process Works
Prep & Desize
We select the right base — natural cotton, fleece, or denim that takes the wash well — then pre-wash and desize to remove sizing chemicals so the fade develops evenly.
Recipe & Strike-Off
Pumice stones are soaked in the chosen oxidiser to your target contrast. We run a strike-off swatch first and get your sign-off before any bulk goes near the drum.
Controlled Tumble
Garments tumble with the treated stones in a monitored machine. Time, load ratio, and agitation are logged so the marbled pattern is dramatic but repeatable.
Neutralise & QC
We neutralise the chemistry, rinse thoroughly, soften, and dry — then inspect every piece for hand-feel, residual chemicals, and contrast before packing.
Capabilities
Acid Wash Specs & Options
The hard numbers our production floor works to. Use them to brief your tech pack — or send us a reference garment and we’ll match it.
- Fabric weight: 180–500 GSM — lightweight tees through heavyweight 400 GSM+ hoodies and sweatshirts.
- Wash levels: light, medium, heavy, and snow/ice wash — matched to a reference or built to your contrast spec.
- Agents: chlorine bleach for sharp high-contrast marbling, or potassium permanganate for a softer, lower-damage fade.
- Garment types: tees, hoodies, crewnecks, sweatpants, denim jackets, jeans, shorts, and caps.
- Decoration after wash: screen print, DTG, puff print, embroidery, patches, and woven labels (applied post-wash for clean adhesion).
- Colour base: works best on dyed cotton — black, indigo, and saturated tones give the strongest contrast.
- Turnaround: strike-off in ~7 days; bulk typically 2–3 weeks after approval.
- MOQ: 30 pieces per style/colour, scaling to full production runs.
What It Runs On
Fabrics We Acid Wash
Acid wash bites into natural cellulose fibres, so cotton-rich fabrics give the boldest, most authentic result. Synthetics resist the effect and are not recommended for a true acid wash.
- 100% cotton jersey — the classic base for acid wash tees.
- Cotton fleece & French terry — for washed hoodies and crewnecks.
- Heavyweight combed cotton — 350–500 GSM for premium streetwear weight.
- Denim & cotton twill — jeans, jackets, and shorts.
- Cotton-poly blends — high-cotton blends still take a softer, muted fade.
- Brushed-back fleece — vintage hand-feel after softening.
Who It’s For
Where Acid Wash Clothing Sells
- Streetwear brands & limited drops chasing an authentic vintage edge.
- Fashion startups launching a distinctive first collection.
- Music, influencer & creator merch that needs to look premium, not generic.
- Retail boutiques wanting one-of-a-kind pieces with shelf appeal.
- Corporate & promotional capsules with a fashion-forward twist.
- Teamwear & club drops — pair with our sportswear manufacturing lines.
Choosing a Wash
Acid Wash vs Stone Wash vs Enzyme Wash
All three age a garment, but they get there differently. Here’s how to pick the right finish for your collection — we run all three in-house.
Acid Wash
How: chemical — oxidiser-soaked pumice stones.
Look: high-contrast, marbled, cloud-like.
Feel: softened, characterful.
Best for: bold, statement vintage pieces.
Stone Wash
How: physical — pumice abrasion only.
Look: even, naturally worn-in fade.
Feel: soft, broken-in.
Best for: classic, understated vintage.
Enzyme Wash
How: bio — cellulase enzymes.
Look: subtle, clean, smooth fade.
Feel: the softest of the three.
Best for: a gentler, more sustainable finish.
Want the acid-wash aesthetic with a lower environmental footprint? Ask about our enzyme, ozone, and laser-fade alternatives, which reach a similar vintage look using far less water and chemistry, plus responsible neutralisation and rinsing on every traditional wash.
Why Linushi
A Wash Partner, Not Just a Drum
Low 30-Pc MOQ
Launch or test an acid wash run at 30 pieces per style — no five-figure minimums to get started.
Free Strike-Offs
You approve a wash swatch before bulk, so contrast and colour are signed off — no surprises on delivery.
Full Private Label
Woven tags, care labels, hangtags, and custom packaging — your brand from the first stitch to the polybag.
Worldwide Shipping
Door-to-door delivery to the USA, UK, Europe, and beyond via trusted air and sea freight partners.
Getting Started
How Ordering Works
Send Your Brief
Share your tech pack, a reference garment, or inspiration images. We confirm fabric, wash level, and decoration.
Quote & Strike-Off
You get a detailed quote with pricing, lead time, and MOQ, plus a wash strike-off to approve the exact fade.
Pre-Production Sample
We build a full sample with your labels and decoration so you sign off on fit and finish before bulk.
Bulk & Ship
Approved bulk runs in 2–3 weeks, passes final QC, and ships worldwide with tracking.
FAQ
Acid Wash Clothing — Questions Answered
What is acid wash clothing and how is it made?
Acid wash clothing is apparel finished with a garment wash that strips dye unevenly for a high-contrast, marbled vintage look. Despite the name, no strong acid is used — the effect comes from oxidising agents (chlorine bleach or potassium permanganate) applied via pumice stones tumbled with the garment, then neutralised, rinsed, and softened.
Is acid wash clothing safe to wear?
Yes. When the wash is done correctly, the chemistry is fully neutralised and the garment is thoroughly rinsed and softened before it leaves the factory, leaving no harmful residue. Every Linushi piece is QC-checked for hand-feel and residual chemicals before packing.
What’s the difference between acid wash and stone wash?
Acid wash is a chemical process that produces a dramatic, high-contrast marbled fade, while stone wash is purely physical — pumice abrasion that gives an even, naturally worn look. Acid wash makes a bolder statement; stone wash is more understated. We run both, plus enzyme wash, in-house.
Can you acid wash t-shirts and hoodies, not just denim?
Yes. Acid wash started on denim but works on any cotton-rich garment — tees, hoodies, crewnecks, sweatpants, jackets, and caps. Cotton and natural fibres take the boldest effect; synthetics resist it and aren’t recommended for a true acid wash.
Can you print or embroider on acid wash garments?
Yes. We apply screen print, DTG, puff print, embroidery, and patches after the wash. Washing first matters because the distressed surface affects ink and adhesion — decorating post-wash keeps prints crisp and durable.
Is acid wash eco-friendly? Do you offer sustainable alternatives?
Traditional acid wash is chemical- and water-intensive. We manage it responsibly with controlled neutralisation and rinsing, and we offer lower-impact alternatives — enzyme wash, ozone, and laser fading — that reach a similar vintage look using far less water and chemistry.
What is the minimum order for custom acid wash clothing?
Our MOQ is 30 pieces per style and colour, with pricing improving as volumes scale. That low minimum lets new brands launch or test an acid wash collection without a heavy upfront commitment.
How long does production take and can I get a sample first?
A wash strike-off takes about 7 days and a full pre-production sample follows for your approval. Approved bulk orders typically ship in 2–3 weeks, with rush options available on request.
Start Your Wash Run
Get Custom Acid Wash Clothing Made
Send your brief and a reference, and we’ll come back with a quote, lead time, and a strike-off so you can approve the exact fade before bulk. 30-piece MOQ, free mockups, worldwide shipping.