Quck answer
Mineral wash is a trendy technique used to give clothes a unique, vintage look. To mineral wash your clothes, you will need a few supplies: a bucket, water, bleach, and a mineral wash solution. First, mix the mineral wash solution according to the instructions on the package. Then, fill the bucket with water and add the solution. Next, submerge your clothes in the bucket and let them soak for about an hour. After soaking, rinse the clothes thoroughly to remove any excess solution. Finally, wash and dry your clothes as usual. With this simple process, you can achieve stylish mineral-washed clothing.
With the resurgence of the acid-wash trend from the 1980s, stores are selling T-shirts, denim, and other garments that have a weathered and worn appearance at high prices. However, you can save money and stay on-trend by learning how to manually stonewash jeans and create vintage-wash T-shirts using your own old tees. There are different methods you can use to achieve the mineral wash look at home, depending on the desired effect.
Here is what you need to know about mineral washing clothes.
Stone Wash vs. Acid Wash vs. Mineral Wash
The terms “stone wash,” “acid wash,” and “mineral wash” are sometimes used interchangeably to describe the popular weathered treatment that was commonly seen in fashion during the 80s and 90s. However, these processes are technically distinct. Stone washing involves washing fabric with stones in an industrial washer. The stones repeatedly beat against the fabric as the washer’s tumbler rotates, resulting in an overall lightened appearance. On the other hand, acid washing or mineral washing is achieved by applying chemical agents to the fabric to create the weathered look.
Precautions Before Starting Mineral Washing
Prior to starting your DIY project, take a few precautions. If you are working with bleach, it is advisable to work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wear nitrile gloves and eye protection when handling bleach. Additionally, check the fabric tag on the item you plan to transform. Similar to tie-dyeing methods, mineral wash techniques work best on cotton and other natural fibers.
Before attempting to mineral wash your favorite hoodies or T-shirts, it is recommended to do a practice run first. Test out a few methods on an old T-shirt or a stained hand towel before working on the clothing you truly want to dye. To prevent bleach or paint from seeping through to the back, place cardboard or newspaper inside a T-shirt or jeans as a barrier between layers.
Mineral Washing with Bleach
So, how do you go about mineral washing a shirt? Basic chlorine bleach is typically used for this project. Bleach lightens the color of fabric, so using it sparingly and evenly across the entire garment creates the appearance of fabric that has been worn, washed, and folded numerous times. Bleach can also be used to create a more distinct tie-dye effect on T-shirts and other garments.
There are a couple of approaches you can take for this project. One method involves using pumice stones soaked in bleach:
- Place the garment flat on a base made of newspaper or cardboard.
- While wearing protective gloves, scrub the fabric with the pumice stone, dipping it back into a container of bleach when it becomes dry.
- Allow the clothing to sit for approximately 10 minutes to give the bleach time to work, and then repeat the scrubbing process if you desire a more weathered effect.
Alternatively:
- Take a small amount of bleach and mix it with an equal amount of water in a clean spray bottle. (If you want a more subtle bleach effect, you can adjust the ratio to include more water.)
- Spray the flat garments using the mist setting on the nozzle of the bottle.
- If you want a trendy tie-dye pattern, gather or roll the material and secure it with rubber bands before spraying the bleach solution.
After you have finished, let the bleached clothing sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse it well under cold water and then wash it in the washing machine using cool water and detergent. It’s important to wash these garments separately to prevent any remaining bleach from damaging other clothing.
Creating the Mineral-Wash Effect Without Using Bleach
If you prefer to avoid using chlorine bleach, especially if you can’t work outdoors or want to make this activity safe for kids, you can try using fabric paint to create a mineral-wash effect on tees and other clothes. This method may result in a more realistic all-over effect that resembles mineral wash, but keep in mind that the effect may fade over time as you wash the clothing. Follow these steps:
- Collect pebbles of different sizes from your local area and wash them with soapy water.
- Mix white fabric paint with water until it has a thin soup-like consistency, then submerge the pebbles in the paint.
- Remove the pebbles and let any excess paint drip off.
- Place the pebbles on top of the garment and roll them around using your palm.
- Repeat this process until one side of the garment is fully covered.
- Allow it to dry before flipping the garment and painting the other side with the pebbles.
When it’s time to wash the garment, turn it inside out and use mild detergent with gentle washer settings to protect the paint job.
