How to Bleach a Jean Jacket

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Learn to lighten your denim clothes at home with household materials
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Denim jackets are not only an easy, lightweight addition to any wardrobe, but are highly alterable too. Rather than throwing away your old dark denim, fading can be used to lighten your clothing and give it a new lease of life. While this can be done naturally, bleaching lets you experiment with shades and patterns, giving that chic look you always wanted. We'll show you how to do it 2 ways: by hand, or in the washing machine.

Things You Should Know

  • Fill a large container with warm water, then add 1  c (240 mL) of bleach for every 4.5 liters (1.2 US gal) of water.
  • Submerge the denim in the mixture for 5-10 minutes, then pull it out to check the fade. Soak it in 2-3 minute increments to fade it further.
  • Rinse the jacket in plain warm water, then machine or hand-wash and dry it as usual to prepare it to wear.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Bleaching Your Jacket by Hand

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  1. The container should be large enough to fully submerge the jacket you plan to bleach (a standard household bucket should be sufficient).
  2. Roughly, for every 4.5 liters (1.2 US gal) of water 1 cup of bleach should be added. If unsure, too little bleach is preferable to too much, as you don't want it eating through the fabric of your jacket. Mix the liquid well, and remember to always wear gloves when handling bleach.
    • Low-splash bleach is recommended for tidiness.
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  3. Make sure it is completely covered, as this will prevent a patchy, light and dark result. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes before checking the extent of the fade.
    • If further fading is required, leave for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the process as necessary.
    • Be sure to smooth out all folds, such as the collar. If bleach does not reach the entire surface of the jacket the result will be uneven.
    • If a 'tie dye' look is desired, elastic bands can be used to protect certain areas from bleaching.
    • If your jacket's thread colour is beginning to bleed into the fabric, this is a sign that it has been soaking for too long. [1]
  4. When satisfied with the new lighter shade, rinse the jacket thoroughly to make sure all bleach residue is removed.
    • If using the same container to rinse and clean your jacket, make sure to remove all traces of bleach from it beforehand.
  5. Run a routine wash, washing your jacket alone, and with cold water and detergent. Your fashionably faded jacket is now ready to be worn.
    • When hanging to dry, note that sunlight will naturally fade denim. If the current shade is to your liking, avoid sun-drying.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Bleaching Your Jacket with a Washing Machine

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  1. You can do this by beginning a wash cycle, allowing the water level to rise. Pause your machine when it is sufficiently full, or when it enters its 'wash' phase.
  2. Use the bleaching dispenser on your machine if it has one, otherwise, add the bleach as you would in any other container. Mix it with the water by resuming the wash cycle. Let the water churn for 5 minutes before pausing again.
  3. Place your jacket so that all parts are below the water line and leave it to soak for up to an hour. Finally, let the wash cycle run to completion, and run a second wash to ensure all traces of bleach are gone. Once dry, see if the new tone suits you by trying your jacket on.
    • You may wish to run an extra "clean-out" cycle after extracting your jacket. While most washing machines drain chemicals well, this will protect your next laundry load from any lurking bleach.
    • Use a machine dryer if happy with the outcome, or hang in the sun to encourage extra fading.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Does bleaching change the texture of my denim jacket?
    Emily Zahniser
    Sewist and Upcycling Expert
    Emily Zahniser is a Sewist based in the Pacific Northwest. She designs and sews garments from vintage and antique textiles. Passionate about sustainability, Emily gives new life to discarded and forgotten fabrics, including upcycling home textiles like bedding and table linens, or deadstock bulk fabrics. Through her fashion brand, Saint Clairs Scissors, she carefully sources, cleans, and mends vintage fabrics, crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that blend nostalgia with a modern, timeless twist. She received a BA in Music from University of Washington and attended a Graduate program at Columbia University’s Manhattan School of Music.
    Emily Zahniser
    Sewist and Upcycling Expert
    Expert Answer
    Yes, bleaching can change their texture if they've been soaked for longer periods of time. Bleaching can give an incredible cool faded or distressed look, but it makes the fabric weaker, especially if your bleach mixture is too strong or if it's been left soaking for too long. If the jacket feels stiff after bleaching, don’t worry—you can soften it. Wash it with a fabric softener or let it soak in a solution of water and white vinegar, then tumble dry on low with dryer balls to restore flexibility. Keep in mind that vintage or delicate denim might not handle bleaching well, as the fibers are already aged.
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      Tips

      • If you are having trouble producing an even fade by hand, try bleaching with a machine. Machine bleaching is more likely to reach the entire surface of your jacket.
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      • You might be looking to bleach your jacket with a particular pattern. For this, a bleach pen will better suit your needs.
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      Warnings

      • Do not use bleach on a denim jacket mixed with elastic. Bleach will likely ruin any elastic, and has even been known to turn spandex yellow. [2]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://alinadesignco.com/2017/03/28/hampton-jean-jacket-sewalong-bleaching-distressing-denim/
      2. ↑ https://alinadesignco.com/2017/03/28/hampton-jean-jacket-sewalong-bleaching-distressing-denim/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To bleach your denim jacket by hand, start by filling a bucket with warm water. Then, add 1 cup of bleach for every 4 ½ liters of water in the bucket. If you’re not sure how much water you have, opt for less, since too much bleach can eat through your jacket. Once your water is ready, submerge your jacket in the mixture. After 5 to 10 minutes, pull your jacket out and if you want a stronger fade, leave it in for another 5 to 10 minutes. However, if your jacket’s thread color starts to bleed into the fabric, then it has been soaking for too long. When you get to a shade you like, rinse your jacket in warm water to get rid of the bleach. For more tips, like how to bleach your denim jacket in a washing machine, read on!

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