Water is primarily used in the manufacturing process of clothing, particularly in wet processing stages like dyeing and finishing.
In the industrial process of making clothes, water is used throughout the factories. A significant portion of this water consumption occurs during specific stages. One stage that consumes huge amounts of water is bleaching and dyeing clothes. It is crucial because it takes a lot of water to bleach the textile and then to apply the dyes and the chemicals that fix them.
Here's a breakdown of the key water-intensive stages based on the reference:
- Bleaching: Large volumes of water are required to bleach textiles, preparing them for dyeing by removing natural colors and impurities.
- Dyeing: This stage involves using substantial amounts of water to dissolve and apply dyes to the fabric. Water is also used to rinse excess dye and apply various chemicals needed to fix the color permanently onto the fibers.
These wet processes are essential for achieving the desired colors and finishes of garments but are major contributors to the textile industry's overall water footprint.
