The enzyme wash technique is a popular fabric treatment trend in the modern fashion industry—especially for materials like denim, cotton, and stretch knits. Not only does it make the fabric surface soft, give it a vintage look, and reduce pilling, but enzyme wash is also more environmentally friendly than traditional acid or stone washing methods.
So, what is the current cost of an enzyme wash service? What should you consider when choosing a workshop? This article will help you understand the updated pricing for early 2025, along with the factors that affect washing costs, so you don’t get overcharged during production.
1. What Is the Enzyme Wash Technique?
To fully understand the effectiveness and value of the enzyme wash technique, you first need to grasp the nature of this technology. It’s not just a conventional fabric treatment method; it’s a strategy to enhance the aesthetic value and feel of each product.
1.1. Mechanism of the Enzyme Wash Technique
The enzyme wash technique is a method that uses biological enzymes—most commonly cellulase—to break down the microscopic fibers on the surface of cellulose fibers like cotton, viscose, or modal. This process reduces pilling, creates a smooth surface, and provides a gentle, even faded effect. The enzyme attacks the excess fuzz without affecting the main structure of the fabric, helping the product be both beautiful and durable.
1.2. Popular Applications in the Fashion Industry
The enzyme wash technique is widely used in casual, streetwear, and denim product lines—where customers demand a soft feel from the very first wear, along with a naturally faded look. Compared to traditional methods like stone wash (using pumice stones) or acid wash (using harsh chemicals), enzyme wash is gentler, causes less damage to the fabric, and reduces the risk of defects.
1.3. Environmental and Quality Control Benefits
Unlike mechanical or chemical washing techniques, the enzyme wash technique is more environmentally friendly because biological enzymes are highly biodegradable and non-toxic. Furthermore, the enzyme process is easy to control in terms of temperature, time, and concentration, which helps ensure a uniform effect across the entire batch—something that is very important in large-scale industrial production.
2. Pricing for Enzyme Wash Service (Updated early 2025)
The reference pricing below will give you a specific idea of the cost of an enzyme wash service by fabric type. From there, you can easily choose a solution that fits your budget and the material you are using.
| Fabric Type | Enzyme Wash Type | Minimum Quantity | Unit Price (VND/item) |
| Thick Denim (12oz+) | Standard Enzyme Wash | 300 items | 15,000 – 25,000 |
| 100% Cotton Knit | Light Enzyme Wash | 200 items | 12,000 – 20,000 |
| Stretch Cotton | Neutral Enzyme Wash | 300 items | 13,000 – 22,000 |
| Viscose/Modal | Softening Enzyme Wash | 200 items | 14,000 – 24,000 |
Note: This is a reference price list only; actual prices may vary depending on the region, accompanying techniques (dyeing – washing – drying – softening), and the complexity of the treatment.
3. Factors Affecting Enzyme Wash Technique Costs
The cost of an enzyme wash service is not fixed but is influenced by various factors. Understanding these factors will help you make a more accurate decision when working with processing workshops.
3.1. Fabric Type
The enzyme wash technique interacts differently with each type of fabric. With raw cotton, enzymes are easily absorbed and processed evenly, so the wash effect is more stable, which helps control costs. Conversely, stretch cotton or blended fabrics require more sophisticated technical adjustments to avoid fabric deformation.
Especially with soft or very thin fabrics like viscose or modal, the enzyme wash technique must be performed at the right temperature and time, with a reduced enzyme concentration to avoid fiber abrasion. These technical adjustments increase the processing cost compared to common fabrics but, in return, help the product maintain its softness and high aesthetic appeal.
3.2. Enzyme Type and Treatment Concentration
The enzyme wash technique is not simply a matter of choosing whether to use it or not; it’s a matter of choosing the right type of enzyme. The market currently offers various enzyme levels: from standard enzymes for basic washing, to neutral enzymes for a gentle faded effect, and combined enzymes to prevent shrinkage and maintain fabric shape.
The more specialized the enzyme, the more pronounced the effect, but at the same time, the processing cost also increases. Therefore, when using the enzyme wash technique, local brands need to understand their product needs and budget to choose the most optimal solution.
3.3. Requested Wash Effect
The enzyme wash technique can create various levels of effects, from a gentle wash to soften the fabric to a strong abrasion to create a worn-out or personalized patchy look. A light wash typically takes less time and uses a low enzyme concentration, so the processing cost is relatively cheap and suitable for basic product lines.
In contrast, when a brand requires a strong enzyme wash technique to create a deep vintage or distressed effect—often used in high-end denim or streetwear products—the process must be longer, and the enzyme dosage and time need to be more carefully controlled. Technicians must make precise adjustments to avoid damaging the fabric structure, which increases the processing cost.
3.4. Order Quantity
The enzyme wash technique also follows a common rule in the processing industry: the larger the quantity, the lower the unit price. For orders of 500 items or more, workshops often apply a significant discount, which helps brands save a considerable amount on each product.
However, if you only need to process 200–300 items—the standard MOQ of most enzyme wash service workshops today—the cost will be slightly higher to cover the expenses of operation, sample testing, and individual processing. For orders below this level, there may be an additional surcharge because it’s not efficient to operate the machinery.
4. Considerations When Choosing an Enzyme Wash Service Workshop
Choosing the right processing workshop is a key factor to ensure the effectiveness of the enzyme wash technique. Here are some important considerations to help you minimize risks and optimize product quality when collaborating with professional enzyme treatment providers.
4.1. Thorough Sample Testing Before Mass Production
The enzyme wash technique is a sensitive process with each type of fabric, so sample testing plays an extremely important role. Before mass production, you should ask the processing workshop to perform a trial run on the exact fabric that will be used to ensure the effect meets your expectations. At the same time, sample testing also helps you evaluate the fabric’s durability after washing, its shrinkage rate, and its ability to hold its shape.
If you skip the sample testing step when applying the enzyme wash technique, the brand could face major risks: uneven color fading, distorted shirt shape, or brittle fabric that is easily torn. These are defects that are difficult to fix and could force you to discard the entire batch, causing significant damage to both cost and brand reputation.
4.2. Check Detailed Quotes and Technical Descriptions
The enzyme wash technique often involves many technical factors, so you need to proactively request a detailed quote before placing an order. The quote should clearly state the type of enzyme used, the treatment concentration, the processing time, the desired effect, and any additional surcharges. This not only helps you understand the costs but also gives you a basis for comparison between workshops.
In addition, a transparent quote for the enzyme wash technique also helps you control the production progress and plan your budget more accurately, avoiding hidden costs during processing.
4.3. Ensure Enzymes Meet Safety Standards
The enzyme wash technique requires strict control over raw materials, especially the enzymes used in the treatment process. Therefore, you should ask the workshop to provide a full technical data sheet related to the enzyme type, the operating procedure, the level of biodegradability, and safety for human skin.
Furthermore, make sure that the enzyme wash technique used by the workshop is certified by reputable organizations such as Oeko-Tex or GOTS. These certifications not only help ensure the quality of the output but also create a competitive advantage when your brand aims for the international market or participates in the global supply chain.
4.4. Prioritize Workshops with Practical Enzyme Experience
The enzyme wash technique is a process that requires a high level of practical experience and tight technical control. Biological enzymes are very sensitive to temperature, pH, and processing time; if these parameters are not correct, the product can easily have defects such as fading, brittle fabric, or distorted fiber structure.
Therefore, when choosing an enzyme wash service provider, you should prioritize workshops with many years of practical experience, who have worked with various fabric materials, and have finished products for you to compare. Additionally, the operating process needs to be transparent, with inspection logs to ensure your batch of goods achieves uniform quality.
5. VieTextile – A Reputable Address for Enzyme Wash Service
If you are looking for a reliable partner for an enzyme wash service—VieTextile is the ideal choice. With over 10 years of experience in the textile dyeing and finishing industry, VieTextile not only has a modern machinery system but also a strict quality control process, meeting a wide range of technical requirements from local brands to export businesses.
5.1. Deep Experience and Expertise
VieTextile has successfully implemented hundreds of enzyme treatment projects for materials like denim, cotton, stretch knits, and modal. Each product line has its own specific process that is refined according to requirements.
5.2. Free Consultation and Sample Testing
The technical team at VieTextile provides support for sample testing, adjusting the enzyme formula, quoting, and optimizing the technique—completely free of charge.
5.3. International Standards – Safe for Wearers
All enzymes used at VieTextile meet Oeko-Tex and GOTS standards. Our process is eco-friendly and ready to serve both the domestic and export markets.
5.4. Flexible Quantity – Fast Turnaround Time
Whether you need to test wash 200 items or produce thousands, VieTextile is flexible in handling it, with a committed turnaround time of 3–5 working days.
6. Conclusion
The enzyme wash technique is an ideal choice for local brands looking to create a premium, soft, and colorfast feel for their products. Although it may have a higher cost than some traditional washing types, enzyme wash is easy to control, environmentally friendly, and suitable for many common fabrics today.
To save costs while ensuring quality, start by testing samples, choosing the right enzyme, and working with an experienced workshop.
7. References & Contact
- Top 7 Common Mistakes When Washing Jeans and How to Fix Them
- What is Enzyme Wash? Learn About the Process and Applications in the Textile Industry
- A Summary of Wash Types and Applications in Fashion – WGSN
Contact VieTextile – Expert Enzyme Wash Service Consultation
Website: https://vietextile.com
Email: info@vietextile.com
Hotline: 0901 809 309
