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How to Fix Bleach Stained Jeans

J. Anthony Cooley

Not all jeans are created equal. Even jeans that are marked the same size in the same jean style and brand can differ in fit, so when you find that perfect-fitting pair you want have them around as long as possible. Bleach is a harsh chemical that, if used incorrectly or inappropriately, can damage your jeans and ruin your day. Spare yourself this heartbreak and frustration by knowing how to fix your bleach-stained jeans.

Bleach-stained jeans can be restored.

Step 1

Mix 1 tbsp. sodium thiosulfate in a bowl with 1 cup of warm water. This mixture will neutralize the bleach.

Step 2

Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and blot the jeans until the liquid is absorbed by the denim. Repeat until the stain has disappeared.

Step 3

Place the jeans in a washing machine and wash them the same way you normally wash your jeans with laundry detergent. Remove the jeans from the washer and set them in a clean, safe place to dry outside, such as a clothesline. The sun will help lighten the color of the jeans surrounding the bleach stain, blending the color of the denim.

Step 4

Use a clothing dye that matches the color of the denim and apply it to the fabric according to the directions on the label. This can be done by either spot-dyeing the bleached area or by dyeing the entire pair of jeans.