FAQ's | United Wash and Dye, Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions will be continuously updated. Feel free to ask questions if you are unsure about something laundry related. We will try to answer the question(s) as best as we can and update this list as frequently as possible.
  • General Information:
  • Do you wash or dye for the general public?
    Unfortunately, at this moment, we don't offer any dyeing or washing for personal purposes to the general public. We offer our services to garment manufacturers or start up companies. Back to Top
  • What are your payment options?
    For commercial washing and dyeing, we usually start COD and we move to net (7) days once credit terms have been established. To establish credit terms, please download our credit application here. Back to Top
  • Do you have any minimum on washing or dyeing?
    We currently don't have any minimums. We do, however, charge more for small quantities. The bigger the volume, the better price we can offer. Back to Top
  • Do you only do production or can you do samples/developments too?
    We do both production and sample developments. We currently work with over 6 companies who we strictly only sample/develop for. Production is typically done in China. Back to Top
  • What are your lead times for samples/production?
    Lead times vary depending on the complexity of the wash. For samples, we typically have a turnaround anywhere from 1-3 business days. If the wash is complicated and testing needs to be done, we turnaround in 3-6 business days.

    Production lead times vary depending on quantity and details of the wash. For rinse washes, we typically turn around next day, garment dye production 2-3 days and specialty washes 3-8 business days. Back to Top
  • What is your production capacity?
    We have an estimated production capacity of 15,000-25,000 garments in dye and 10,000-25,000 in denim depending on complexity of wash. Back to Top
  • Do you only work with local companies?
    No. We work with companies from all over the United States. Back to Top
  • What are your website terms and conditions?
    Please visit out terms and conditions page for this information. Back to Top
  • Garment Dyeing
  • Why dye garments?
    Usually, garments are made through a process which begins with fabric that is pre-dyed, cut and then assembled. Because of the fast paced market that we have today, retailers and distributors need to act quickly and look for faster processes to keep up with all new trends. Garment dyeing is a perfect solution for this. It allows quick response by retailers and distributors because garments can be dyed after they are sewn, speeding up the process to avoid outdated garments. Back to Top
  • Can I dye any kind of fabric?
    No, there are many restrictions as to what you can dye. Every fabric has a different formula and dyeing method. The following is a list of the typical reactions to each fabric:

    Cotton
    Most jeans, pants, shirts, and dresses are made up of cotton. Cotton is typically not a problem to dye, but there are always a few times when our dye specialists encounter problems. Some of these problems may include a garment that is made up of both cotton and polyester. The cotton on that piece of garment may dye well, but the polyester on that fabric is unpredictable since the process is prepared for a cotton garment. The cotton may dye perfectly, but the polyester can possibly have a different shade.

    Silk
    Silk dyeing is usually not a problem, with shrinkage that is typically less than 4%.

    Nylon
    The results are usually good if the garment is made up of 100% Nylon.

    Wool Fabric
    Wool fabric is also very unpredictable. If we use hot water, the wool typically won't respond well to the dye. The alternative would be to use cold water. The results are not guaranteed to be successful, however. Cold water dye could result in excessive shrinkage.

    Linings
    Dresses and linings are often made of two different materials, such as acetate or polyester. If this type of fabric is dyed, the results are quite unpredictable. The fabric on each garment could end up with a different shade. If the dress or lining is made up of cotton, nylon, silk or rayon, then the dye should work fine. However, the lining might be of different shade than the outer shell of the dress or jacket.

    Polyester Fabric
    Fabric that usually contains polyester, also contains another fabric, such as cotton and/or silk. Due to this mixture, results for dyeing this fabric may vary and we don't recommend dyeing garments that contain both fabrics.

    Polyester Thread and Zippers
    A lot of the time, polyester thread is used as the choice of thread for garments. This can become a problem when dyeing fabric due to the variation in formulas and procedures used to dye each fabric. We make no guarantee that the thread/zipper and the garment will be the same color.



    Back to Top
  • Do you dye fabric in rolls (piece dye) or only garments?
    We currently don't have the capability to dye any fabric rolls. We can, however, cut the fabric rolls into block section of up to 5-10 yards depending on fabric to be dyed. Back to Top
  • Can you match a fabric swatch or pantone color number?
    Yes. We are usually provided a fabric swatch as a standard or a Pantone Fashion number to match. Back to Top
  • What is a lab dip?
    A lab dip is a visual aid on how the color will look when dyed. The lab dip is typically done on a small swatch of fabric, about 6" by 6" in size. Lab dips need to get approved before running production. Please note that doing a lab dip on a beaker and running production are two completely different processes. Back to Top
  • Will my samples and production come out exactly as my approved lab dip?
    We make our best attempt to match the lap dip as close as possible, but due to uncontrollable variables, we cannot guarantee that every dye batch will be 100% the same as the lab dip or sample approved. Some variables to take into consideration might be:

    1. Dye stuff purchased vary in shade from lot to lot. The dye stuff used to produce your lab dip/sample may be slightly darker or lighter than what is used in production.
    2. Atmospheric conditions, such as humidity, vary in the lab room and the production area.
    3. Cotton used to produce fabric absorb dye differently.
    4. Fabric production from lot to lot vary. If dyeing
    5. Sample fabric that is received to make lab dips and/or samples may be different from what we receive in production.
    6. Some colors are sensitive to heat. When drying, color can change slightly in the dryer. Back to Top
  • Will the garment shrink?
    Yes. Typically, if the fabric has been washed with warm water prior to us receiving it, then there will be minimal shrinkage. Garments that are made up of natural fabrics, such as silk, cotton, wool, and linen, and have NOT been washed with warm water will most likely shrink. Shrinkage can vary from 2-15%, depending on the fabric. We try our best to keep shrinkage consistent by using controlled water temperatures and dryers, but there are times when shrinkage is uncontrollable due to fabric inconsistency. Back to Top
  • What is a reactive dye?
    Reactive dyes, or Fibre reactive dyes, are a type of highly colored organic substances. These dyes use a chromophore that contains a substituent that is quite capable of a direct reaction with a fibre substrate. It is the covalent bonds which the reactive dyes form with the substrates that are responsible for attaching the reactive dye to natural fibers. These bonds make reactive dyes among the most permanent of dyes. Reactive dyes are the best bet for dyeing cotton and other cellulose fibers. Back to Top
  • What is a pigment dye?
    Pigment dyeing is a process for dying fabrics which uses ground pigments, not a true dye. This process actually only coats the outside of the material and does not fully penetrate it like a dye would. The primary advantage of this type of dying is its ability to adhere to a wide range of textiles, not just natural fabrics. This is especially important with synthetics or blends, which often cannot be dyed with conventional dyes. In some cases, the fabric may require special treatment for the pigment dye to take, such as an outer layer of resin coating.
     Back to Top
  • What is PFD?
    Stands for Prepared for Dye. Name says it all. These are garments that have been sewn and prepared for dye. It usually means that these garments were prepared a certain way such as:

    • There were no starches, sizing or finishes applied to the fabric which could interfere with the dyeing.
    • The item may or may not be sewn with cotton thread.
    • The item may or may not be cut oversize to allow for shrinkage.
    Back to Top
  • Things to consider before choosing PFD components:
    Fabric Selection:
    While garments that are made 90-100% of cotton or other singular fabrics can be dyed successfully, the option to dye multi-component garments can affect results. Different fabrics can have different reactions to dyes, leading to differences in shades. The difference can be minimal and at times, desirable as a styling advantage.
    Thread:
    Thread that is 100% cotton or core spun cotton/polyester will dye the same shade as the garment in which it is used. Mercerized thread, however, tends to dye slightly darker than the garment and may be used for detailing on non-mercerized fabric or on mercerized fabric for the same shade.
    Facing / Interlining:
    While these parts of the garment typically do not show, blended interlinings will pill and mat when dyed. The dying process can lead to excessive shrinkage, causing areas of the garment to look wrinkled, or crumpled.
    Zippers:
    Because non-ferrous based metal components, such as nickel-plated brass zippers, are affected less by electrolytes, they are recommend for zipper selection. For polyester and nylon zippers, colored zippers can be selected.
    Pocketing:
    All cotton and cotton/polyester blended fabrics have been dyed successfully.
    Trim:
    Always consider the fabric's ability to dye when selecting trims. Different fabric trims can create styling effects , but results can vary. If the trim fabric is too delicate, it could be damaged.
    Buttons:
    Because different metals may have different reactions to dyes, metal buttons could present a few problems. Metal buttons and snaps can produce electric currents, which can form acid and damage the garment. Plastic buttons, however, usually present no problems during the process. If buttons are too delicate, they can be sewn after dying to avoid damage.
    Labels:
    Labels can be added after garments are dyed, or polyester dye resistant labels can be used. Usually light shades do not interfere with legibility of labels.

     Back to Top
  • What you need to know before dyeing garments?
    Some dyeing processes may reveal flaws in garments that are not noticeable until after the process is complete. Some examples of this would be pin holes, bad seams, and optical spots. Because these flaws were already on the garment, the dyer cannot be held responsible.

    Garments that are cut and sewn from previously prepared fabrics, may impact the dyeing process. 

    For garments that are assembled using several different types of fabric, keep in mind that dye saturation levels and shrinkage may differ between fabric types, which can cause unpredictable results.

    The garment dyer usually has no idea of what is present on a garment or how it will behave in the dyeing process. Even on well prepared fabric, there may be residual oils, fats, waxes, sizes on woven goods, spinning oils, etc. which can affect the outcome. Make sure that any extras are removed to be receive successful results.

    Also, remember to take shrinkage, creases, threads, labels and buttons into consideration.      Back to Top
  • Garment Washing
  • What is raw denim?
    Raw denim, also known as rigid or dry denim, is denim that is not washed before it is sold to the customer. The material is stiff, and depending on the weight, can feel as though you're walking in sheet-metal. It is also be very dark, sometimes appearing black. Back to Top
  • What is stone wash?
    Stone washing is a method used to accelerate the fading and softening of jeans through the washing of garments with pumice stones. The stones can be natural or synthetic and of different size and shape, depending on the desired effect. While an average stone wash for 130 pairs of jeans uses 300lbs. of pumice stones, 682 liters of water, and lasts one hour, changing the water temperature, the size of the washing machine, the number of stones, can all change the final result. Back to Top
  • What is enzyme washing?
    Enzyme washing is an environmentally friendly process used to make garments appear aged and worn. In the case of jeans, cellulases are usually used because they loosen the indigo dye in denim, making the jeans look broken in and used. Enzymes do not compromise the strength of the fabric, but they do make denim softer, more supple, and more neutral in odor. Unlike stone washing, enzyme washing does not leave residue in drains or on clothing.

     Back to Top
  • What is a vintage wash?
    Vintage wash is a treatment that applies heavy stone washing or a cellulose enzyme wash, with or without bleach, that achieves old and worn looks. Back to Top
  • What is a silicone wash?
    Silicone wash is a process of washing which uses silicones to increase softness.
     Back to Top
  • Denim Dry Process
  • What is whiskering?
    Whiskering is a jean finish that produces white lines that look like wrinkles near the crotch area and sometimes behind the knees. This effect is achieved with steel rasps, belt sanders, or sometimes by hand with fine grit sandpaper. The denim is also rubbed in areas where natural wear would appear to create texture and depth. Back to Top
  • What is sand blasting?

    Sand blasting is another way to achieve the worn out look on garment. Through this process, garments are scrubbed off by blowing high speed air mixed with very fine particles of sand. When the surface area of the garment is blasted, white cotton appears beneath the blasted area and makes it look worn out. Sand blast provides a very uniform result, which is not achieved with other processes. Typical areas for sand blasting are front thigh, back seat, back panel near bottom or front panel around knee. Sometimes full body blasting is also done to achieve a unique look.

    Back to Top
  • What is grinding?
    Grinding is a type of finishing technique usually found on the hems, seams, belt loops, pockets, and waistband of jeans. Grinding gives jeans an aged and worn out look. Back to Top
  • What is potassium spray?
    Potassium spray is used on denim garments to turn certain areas of the garment white. This can be applied with a spray gun or with a towel dipped in to PP Solution and rubbed on the desired area followed by neutralization in wet process. This process can be done in rigid after doing hand scrape or in the middle of the wash. Adding it after the enzyme or bleach cycle will give the garment a more natural and white effect than it would if done while rigid. This method of dye is used to give the garment a distressed look to it.
     Back to Top
  • What is destruction?
    Destruction is a process that makes denim look unique and used. To achieve the look, a pen like tool with an abrasive tip is used pre-wash on the desired areas to create a worn look or even holes on the garment. These are all manual processes and every garment will look unique and different than others.
     Back to Top
  • What is tacking?
    Tacking is the process used to create a heavy contrast between rigid and washed areas of a garment. It is achieved by using plastic or nylon pins on the garment when it is being washed. By tacking specific areas of the garment, the original color is preserved, creating the contrast.
     Back to Top
  • What is hand sand?
    Hand sand is a method that gives garments a worn out look. Abrasive paper is used to scrape the garments in certain areas, such as the front thigh & back seat. The most important factor in this method, is selecting the right coarseness of paper according to the fabric strength and intensity needed. Scraping can be done on inflated rubber balloons for better effect, or even on plain wooden boards of garment size. Hand sanding must fade from intense to a feathering to achieve the look correctly.
     Back to Top