DIY Acid Wash Cotton T-Shirts

Create an acid washed T-shirt with household bleach.

Wearing an acid washed shirt can add a fashionable touch to even the most basic outfit. Acid wash is most popular on denim pieces of all kinds, including jean pants, hats, jackets and dresses. Although this is the case, the acid wash process is also used on cotton, polyester and other materials. Learn how to transform an ordinary cotton T-shirt into a fashion-forward shirt with a stylish acid wash pattern.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton T-shirt
• Household bleach
• Rubber gloves
• Spray bottle
• Washing machine
• Dryer
• Fabric softener

Instructions

1. Run your T-shirt under water until it is completely wet; ring out the excess water.

2. Put on rubber gloves to avoid bleach from coming into direct contact with your hands.

3. Pour about a half a cup of bleach into your spray bottle and secure the spray nozzle.

4. Spray the mixture onto the areas you want the acid wash pattern on your T-shirt, leave some areas of the shirt uncovered.

5. Scrunch up the shirt and spray on a bit more of the bleach and water mixture.

6. Leave the shirt to soak. You should check the color approximately every minute until the bleached portions take on the color you desire, according to the Chictopia website. The longer you leave the mixture in to soak, the lighter the acid wash patches will be.

7. Rinse the bleach off, add a bit of liquid fabric softener to the washer and allow your T-shirt to thoroughly wash out during a cycle in the washing machine.

8. Put your T-shirt into the dryer along with a sheet of fabric softener and allow the shirt to dry completely. The fabric softeners will help to dilute the bleach smell from your T-shirt.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray bleach directly onto the T-shirt to avoid bleaching any surrounding items.

• If possible do this procedure in a well-ventilated room or with a window open to avoid inhaling the bleach fumes.

• Once you complete this project, carefully rinse out your spray bottle to ensure all bleach is removed before using the bottle for any other purposes.

• During step three, you can lessen the strength of the bleach by adding a bit of water into the spray bottle along with the bleach. The more water you use in the mixture, the less effective the bleach will be. Before spraying your T-shirt, hold the bottle towards the bottom and carefully shake until the bleach and water are thoroughly mixed together.

• If bleach accidentally comes in direct contact with your skin, wash off with soap and water immediately to avoid chemical injury.

References

• Chictopia: How to Acid Wash Jeans (Aka D.I.Y for Dummies)

Resources

• I Stalk Nina: DIY: A is for Acid Wash