How to Acid Wash a T‐Shirt

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Acid washed t-shirts are the perfect solution for an otherwise boring old t-shirt. You can create an edgy tie-dye like effect with and old shirt and some bleach. Creating an acid wash t-shirt is easy. You can use a spray bottle to selectively distribute the bleach, or you can rubber band and dunk your shirt into a solution of bleach and water. No matter what option you choose, make sure to protect your eyes, skin, clothes, and surfaces throughout the process.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Spray Bottle

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  1. To use a spray bottle to create your acid wash t-shirt, you will need to fill up a spray bottle with a solution of bleach and water. [1] The solution should be 50% bleach and 50% water. [2]
  2. It is important to place your t-shirt somewhere that it will not come into contact with things that might become discolored from the bleach. Placing the t-shirt into a sink or on a slab of concrete outside are both good options. [3]
    • Make sure that the t-shirt is lying flat, and it is not crumpled or wrinkled. This will help to ensure that you can spray as much of the t-shirt as possible.
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  3. When your t-shirt is in position, begin spraying it with your bleach solution. Spray the shirt all over, but make sure to leave some areas bleach free. You can also concentrate your bleach spraying to certain areas if you would like them to be lighter than others. Disclaimer :it can break down the shirt if the concentration of bleach is high. [4]
    • Spray your shirt in a random pattern rather than trying to make a design. This will help to give your acid washed t-shirt it’s signature grungy look.
  4. It will take a little while for your bleach to lighten the areas of the shirt that you sprayed. [5] The longer you wait, the lighter certain areas of your shirt will be. Try to wait for at least 10 minutes to give the bleach time to work. [6]
    • If you like, you can also spray the shirt again after 10 minutes, and then wait 10 more minutes to rinse and wash. This will give your acid washed t-shirt some dimension.
  5. When you have finished spraying your t-shirt, and it has had enough time to develop, you will need to rinse the shirt and then wash it. Dunk the shirt into a sink or bucket full of water and then wring it out. [7]
    • If you want to rinse it again, don’t use the same water because this water will now be full of bleach it dipping it into the same water again may ruin your design.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Bucket and Rubber Bands

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  1. Using the bucket method is similar to tie dyeing a shirt, only you do not have to worry about intricately placing your rubber bands or twisting the shirt in certain ways. Just crumple or twist the shirt however you like and then use the rubber bands to secure it into a ball. [8]
  2. You will need a 50:50 solution of bleach and water to create your acid washed t-shirt. Mix this solution in the bucket. [9]
  3. Next, place the crumpled t-shirt into the solution and immerse it in the solution completely. Make sure that the t-shirt is soaked in the solution. [10]
  4. Pull the t-shirt out of the solution and then remove the rubber bands. Then, hang up the shirt outside or somewhere that it can drip and dry. [11]
    • Do not hang the shirt over any areas that might get damaged by the bleach. Make sure to hang it up somewhere that it will be okay for it to drip.
  5. When you have finished hanging the shirt, let it dry for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how much you want the bleach to develop. Then, take a capful (or a couple of tablespoons) of pure bleach and sprinkle it on the front of the shirt. [12]
    • You can do this multiple times to get more dimension. Try sprinkling some bleach on, waiting 10 minutes, and then sprinkling bleach on again before rinsing and washing the shirt.
  6. After you have finished letting your shirt develop, dunk it into a bucket or sink full of clean water, wring it out, and then toss it into the washing machine for a regular wash cycle. When it is done, just dry the shirt, and it is ready to wear! [13]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Staying Safe and Getting the Best Results

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  1. Bleach is caustic, and it can cause irritation to your eyes, skin, and lungs. It can also discolor your clothes, carpet, furniture, and other surfaces. Make sure that you put on goggles, gloves, and some old clothes before you begin. [14]
    • Also, make sure to put down some old newspaper or paper towels to protect your floors and other surfaces.
    • If you work outside, then you will not have to worry about getting bleach on the ground.
  2. Inhaling bleach fumes can irritate your lungs and may even give you a headache. Open a couple of windows and turn on a fan for ventilation if you will be working indoors. [15]
    • You may even consider working outside since it is well ventilated.
  3. It is important to use a colored t-shirt for this project because bleaching a white t-shirt will only make it look whiter. The darker the color of your shirt is, the more dramatic your results will be.
    • Stick with bold and dark colors, such as black, blue, red, purple, orange, green, etc.
    • Steer clear of lighter shades and pastels, such as lavender, powder blue, light pink, cream, and light gray.
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The Takeaway: Creating Acid Wash T-Shirts

Fill a spray bottle ½ full with water and ½ full with bleach. Lay your shirt flat in the sink and spray the shirt all over with the bleach solution. Let the shirt sit for 10 minutes and then rinse it with water and throw it in the washing machine.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I make sure I won't overdo acid washing my shirt?
    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
    Make sure your shirt is damp before you start—this helps the bleach spread more evenly and prevents harsh, uneven spots. Use a sponge to apply the solution lightly to the areas you want to fade, and focus on small sections instead of soaking the whole shirt. Keep a timer and watch closely for the color change because it happens fast. Check your shirt every now and then, and rinse the shirt thoroughly with cold water when you're satisfied with the color. Now wash your shirt gently with detergent and let it air dry. Do not use a heat dryer because it may cause a color bleed. Lastly, if you notice any uneven spots, you can repeat the process in small areas to even it out. Remember to be slow and trust the process to avoid the risk of over-bleaching, which damages the shirt.
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  • Question
    Can I use fabric that's 50% polyester?
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    So long as there is natural fiber that holds dye, it can be acid washed. Synthetic fibers are not reactive to to acid wash, as the color is part of the fiber.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Spray Bottle

      • Spray Bottle
      • Bleach
      • Water
      • Empty sink or concrete slab to work on
      • Gloves
      • Goggles
      • T-shirt

      Bucket and Rubber Bands

      • Bucket
      • Rubber Bands
      • Bleach
      • Water
      • Gloves
      • Goggles
      • T-shirt

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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dyeing clothes, check out our in-depth interview with Emily Zahniser .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/
      2. ↑ https://omaha.com/life-entertainment/how-to-bleach-dye-a-t-shirt/article_7d01cce8-af70-537b-8b43-1e8ff316b70b.html
      3. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/
      4. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/
      5. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/
      6. ↑ https://omaha.com/life-entertainment/how-to-bleach-dye-a-t-shirt/article_7d01cce8-af70-537b-8b43-1e8ff316b70b.html
      7. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiw7tdoYJ8
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiw7tdoYJ8
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiw7tdoYJ8
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiw7tdoYJ8
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiw7tdoYJ8
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkiw7tdoYJ8
      5. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/
      6. ↑ https://www.madeeveryday.com/tutorial-acid-washed-tees/

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