How to Fade Jeans with Bleach

80's fashion is making a comeback, and you can never go wrong with a pair of faded jeans. If you can't find the right shade you're looking for or you want to update an older pair of jeans with a new look, try using bleach to fade your jeans yourself. Follow these steps to get rockin' jeans without spending a fortune.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jeans
• Bleach
• Bath tub
• Rubber gloves

1. Fill the bath tub with about 8-10 inches of water and add the desired amount of bleach. If you're not sure how much to add or just want to fade the jeans a little bit, add less bleach at first. You can always add more later or fade them again.

2. Wearing the rubber gloves, evenly distribute the bleach throughout the water and lay the jeans flat in the tub. Make sure there are no wrinkles to ensure even fading.

3. Let the jeans soak, checking every 15 minutes or so, until they are a 1-2 shades darker than you actually want them to be. They will lighten when they dry, so keep this in mind. To ensure even fading, be sure to flip the jeans over each time you check them.

4. When the jeans have faded to your liking, rinse the jeans with cold water either in the tub or in the washing machine. Hang the jeans up to dry outside on a clothes rack or in the shower.

5. Once the jeans are dry, wash them in the washing machine with detergent and fabric softener to help with the bleach smell. You may need to wash them a few times and dry them in the dryer with dryer sheets to help remove the smell.

6. Your jeans should now have a faded look that will work great for spring and summer.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, give them a cool distressed, worn look (if they don't already have it) by rubbing a cheese grader over certain areas or adding small rips and tears.
• Lighter splatters of bleach can be added by using a paint brush dipped in bleach.
• They're your jeans, so personalize them the way you want and enjoy!
• Always wear rubber gloves when handling bleach.
• Be careful when mixing the water with the bleach or handling the soaked jeans as to avoid splashing the bleach onto other clothes or in your eyes.