How to Distress Jeans at Home

Some people prefer the fresh, crisp and clean look of a brand new pair of jeans, while others appreciate the comfort that a more worn-in pair of denim offer. Turn your brand new jeans into a distressed masterpiece with just a few items, most of which you probably already have around the home. Store-bought distressed denim can be quite costly, but you can save yourself a lot of money by taking an inexpensive pair of regular jeans and distressing them yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach
• Water
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Test patch of fabric
• Acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Sandpaper
• Craft knife
• Washing machine
• Dryer
• Shaver

Instructions

1. Mix bleach and water in a bucket in even amounts. Add more bleach to fade the jeans more dramatically or more water for a more subtle fade. Use a test patch of fabric to fine tune the bleach and water mixture to your liking. Dip a sponge in the mixture, squeeze it out so it is damp but not dripping and rub it on the jeans where you would like the fading to appear, such as down the center of the legs or in the seat, where more wear is likely to occur.

2. Dip a paintbrush in acrylic paint in any color or multiple colors. Splatter the paint onto the jeans to make them look like you painted the house or created some paintings while wearing the jeans.

3. Rub the jeans with a low-grit sandpaper in the areas where normal wear and tear would occur such as along the top edge of the pockets, the bottom edge of the legs and the belt loops. You want to create just a little roughness in the fabric. You may also rub the sandpaper up and down the middle of the legs and in the seat.

4. Cut slits into the jeans around the knees and in other locations on the front of the legs. Throw the jeans in the washer and then the dryer. This will get the fraying started around the slits you cut.

5. Rub the shaver back and forth over the slits to further rough them up.

Tips & Warnings

• You may distress your jeans using all the methods, one method or any combination of the methods described.

• Try your jeans on between each step in the distressing process so you know how the jeans look on you at each step.