How do I wash acid wash without ruining it?

Wash acid wash inside-out in cold water with similar colours, no tumble dry, line dry. The wash is part of the look, so the goal is to slow the natural softening and keep the contrast sharp for as long as possible. Heat is the main enemy.

Why inside-out matters

The contrast pattern lives on the outer surface of the fabric. Washing inside-out reduces friction against the drum and other garments, which is what slowly flattens the high points of the wash. After dozens of washes, the difference between always inside-out and never is visible.

Why cold water

Hot water relaxes the fabric and can pull residual bleach particles deeper into the fibres, dulling the dark base. Cold water keeps the dye stable and the contrast intact. It also reduces shrinkage on 100% cotton pieces.

Why similar colours

Acid wash pieces still have a pre-dyed base, usually dark. Washing with light colours can cause the base dye to bleed onto whites. Keep darks with darks, especially for the first five to ten washes.

Why no tumble dry

Tumble drying heats and tumbles the fabric at the same time. Heat shrinks the cotton; tumbling abrades the surface. Together they soften the contrast, shrink the silhouette, and dull the colour faster than anything else you can do. Line dry or lay flat instead.

What about detergent

Mild liquid detergent. Skip bleach, skip strong stain removers, skip fabric softener. Softener coats the fibres and reduces the textural feel of the wash over time. Plain detergent is fine.

Full notes are on the acid wash care page.