How Can I Stonewash a T-Shirt?

Stonewashing is a way to dye material to make it look worn and trendy. However, you have to make sure you do it correctly, or you could wind up damaging your washing machine and ruining your clothes. Luckily, stonewashing your clothes is a simple and somewhat straightforward process, and you can easily stonewash shirts at home.

As the name implies, you wash your clothing with stones to create this look. However, you can't just use any old rock; the stones you use need to be the right size and weight. They can't be too small because they could get stuck in the machine's mechanisms, and they need to be big enough not to drain with the water.

The stones also can't be too heavy. If they are, you could potentially damage the sides of the washer tub when it agitates. In addition, make sure they don't have sharp edges that could tear your clothing.

Many experts recommend purchasing pumice stones rather than simply collecting your own outdoors. While it might cost a little money, clothing manufacturers often use pumice stones to stonewash items since they're naturally abrasive. As a general washing rule, it's better to be safe than sorry, especially when an expensive appliance like this is involved.

If your washing machine is a top-loader, use the normal amount of laundry detergent for one load, 2 tablespoons of bleach and the stones. Allow the machine to fill and start agitating before adding the clothing. If you have a front-load washer, you will need to add the clothing you want stonewashed and the stones to the washer tub before starting the machine. Add both detergent and bleach in the appropriate places in the soap dispensing drawer and then let the regular wash cycle run until it is almost complete.

When the washer is almost complete, stop the machine before the spin cycle when the water drains. The tub should still be filled with water. Let the shirt and other items soak in the soapy, bleachy water for one to two hours. Next, allow the tub to drain and remove the stones. Run the wash cycle normally, allowing it to complete. Once finished, remove your newly stonewashed clothes and dry them as you usually would, either in the dryer or by air drying.

Once your garment is completely dry, inspect it to see if it looks how you desire. Repeat the steps if a single cycle didn't achieve the desired effect. You may need to do it as many as three or four times if you like a deep stonewashed look.

Clothes that have been stonewashed don't necessarily need special care that is very different from ordinary clothes. First and foremost, follow the care instructions on the clothing tags. For example, if you're not supposed to dry the garment or wash it in warm water, then don't.

Avoid cleaning with bleach and use a mild detergent. The stonewash effect may fade over time depending on the garment itself. If that happens, repeat the steps periodically to refresh it.