Method and kit for accelerated aging of denim garments

Abstract

Methods and kits are described for accelerating an aged appearance in indido-dyed denim garments. A high concentration of cellulase enzymes is used to treat denim garments such as blue jeans, followed by a washing step and an abrasion step, followed by repetition of the cycle. This process can be performed at home in standard washing machines, and provides consumers with an alternative approach to customizing their denim garments.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for producing an aged appearance in a denim garment comprising the sequential steps of:
 a) treating an indigo-dyed denim garment with an effective amount of an enzyme preparation in an aqueous solution for a period of between 1 minutes and 48 hours;   b) washing the garment; and   c) mechanically abrading the garment;
 wherein said sequential steps of treating, washing, and mechanically abrading are repeated at least one additional time; 
 wherein said enzyme preparation comprises a cellulase enzyme; 
 wherein the activity of the enzyme preparation in aqueous solution during said treatment step is greater than 200 CMC units of cellulase per liter; and 
 wherein said step of mechanically abrading the garment comprises a process selected from the group consisting of wearing the garment for at least six hours and mechanically tumbling the garment in a clothes dryer for at least 80 minutes. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount of an enzyme preparation comprises greater than 250 mg of cellulolytic enzymes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount of an enzyme preparation comprises greater than 5,000 CMC units of cellulase enzymes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said indigo-dyed denim garment has been worn previously. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said indigo-dyed denim garment has been laundered previously. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 10,000 CMC units of cellulase are applied per kilogram of denim garments. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzyme preparation additionally comprises an enzyme selected from the group consisting of an amylase, a glycosidase, a lipase, an esterase, and an oxidoreductase. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzyme preparation additionally comprises sodium percarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme solution additionally comprises a buffer system capable of maintaining the pH near the pH of optimal activity for the cellulase. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein during said step of treating, said indigo-dyed denim garment is subjected to one or more periods of mechanical agitation and soaking, wherein the time of said treating step is equal to or greater than 50 minutes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of said aqueous solution is between about 6.0 and about 7.5. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of said water to said indigo-dyed denim garment is equal to or greater than 10. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzyme preparation comprising a cellulase is formulated as a tablet. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzyme preparation comprising a cellulase is formulated as granules. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzyme preparation comprising a cellulase is contained as a solid within a water-soluble pouch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said enzyme preparation comprising a cellulase selected from the group consisting of an acid cellulase and a neutral cellulase. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount of an enzyme preparation results in a positive average change at locations on the denim garment in the CIELAB L colorimetric measurement of at least 1.0 unit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said effective amount of an enzyme preparation results in a positive average change in the CIELAB L colorimetric measurement of an average at least 1.5 units for each location on the denim garment for each treatment step. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a protective coating is applied to a selected region of said garment prior to one or more of said steps of treating an indigo-dyed denim garment with an effective amount of an enzyme preparation, wherein said protective coating reduces the positive average change in the CIELAB L colorimetric measurement at the selected region relative to other regions of said garment to which said protective polymer has not been applied. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said protective coating is selected from the group consisting of a wax coating and a polymer coating. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said protective coating comprises wax selected from the group consisting of animal wax and plant wax. 
     
     
         22 . A kit for fading and enhancing localized wear patterns of consumer-owned indigo-dyed denim garments comprising:
 a package comprising at least one individually packaged treatment unit;   said treatment unit comprising a formulation that includes a cellulolytic enzyme, and optionally one or more additional agents selected from the group consisting of binders, enzymes, surfactants, dissolution-enhancing agents, dyes, fragrances, wetting agents, softeners, colorants, coatings, preservatives, oxidizing agents, bleaching agents, anti-backstaining agents, encapsulants, and buffering agents;   wherein upon dissolution in water, said individually packaged treatment unit yields a pH between 4 and 8;   wherein the contents of said individually packaged treatment unit weigh between about 4 g and about 50 g; and   wherein said formulation comprises a cellulolytic enzyme with activity greater than 5,000 CMC units.