How to Bleach a Jean Jacket

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Learn to lighten your denim clothes at home with household materials

Co-authored by Emily Zahniser

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

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By Hand

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In a Washing Machine

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Denim jackets are not only an easy, lightweight addition to any wardrobe, but are highly alterable too. Rather than throwing away your old dark denim, fading can be used to lighten your clothing and give it a new lease of life. While this can be done naturally, bleaching lets you experiment with shades and patterns, giving that chic look you always wanted. We'll show you how to do it 2 ways: by hand, or in the washing machine.

Things You Should Know

Fill a large container with warm water, then add 1 c (240 mL) of bleach for every 4.5 liters (1.2 US gal) of water.
Submerge the denim in the mixture for 5-10 minutes, then pull it out to check the fade. Soak it in 2-3 minute increments to fade it further.
Rinse the jacket in plain warm water, then machine or hand-wash and dry it as usual to prepare it to wear.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Bleaching Your Jacket by Hand

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The container should be large enough to fully submerge the jacket you plan to bleach (a standard household bucket should be sufficient).
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Add bleach to the water. Roughly, for every 4.5 liters (1.2 US gal) of water 1 cup of bleach should be added. If unsure, too little bleach is preferable to too much, as you don't want it eating through the fabric of your jacket. Mix the liquid well, and remember to always wear gloves when handling bleach.
- Low-splash bleach is recommended for tidiness.
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3
Immerse the jacket in the mixture. Make sure it is completely covered, as this will prevent a patchy, light and dark result. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes before checking the extent of the fade.
- If further fading is required, leave for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the process as necessary.
- Be sure to smooth out all folds, such as the collar. If bleach does not reach the entire surface of the jacket the result will be uneven.
- If a 'tie dye' look is desired, elastic bands can be used to protect certain areas from bleaching.
- If your jacket's thread colour is beginning to bleed into the fabric, this is a sign that it has been soaking for too long.^{[1]
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Rinse your jacket with warm water. When satisfied with the new lighter shade, rinse the jacket thoroughly to make sure all bleach residue is removed.
- If using the same container to rinse and clean your jacket, make sure to remove all traces of bleach from it beforehand.
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Machine-wash the jacket as usual. Run a routine wash, washing your jacket alone, and with cold water and detergent. Your fashionably faded jacket is now ready to be worn.
- When hanging to dry, note that sunlight will naturally fade denim. If the current shade is to your liking, avoid sun-drying.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Bleaching Your Jacket with a Washing Machine

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You can do this by beginning a wash cycle, allowing the water level to rise. Pause your machine when it is sufficiently full, or when it enters its 'wash' phase.
Use the bleaching dispenser on your machine if it has one, otherwise, add the bleach as you would in any other container. Mix it with the water by resuming the wash cycle. Let the water churn for 5 minutes before pausing again.
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Add your jacket to the machine. Place your jacket so that all parts are below the water line and leave it to soak for up to an hour. Finally, let the wash cycle run to completion, and run a second wash to ensure all traces of bleach are gone. Once dry, see if the new tone suits you by trying your jacket on.
- You may wish to run an extra "clean-out" cycle after extracting your jacket. While most washing machines drain chemicals well, this will protect your next laundry load from any lurking bleach.
- Use a machine dryer if happy with the outcome, or hang in the sun to encourage extra fading.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Does bleaching change the texture of my denim jacket?

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

Yes, bleaching can change their texture if they've been soaked for longer periods of time. Bleaching can give an incredible cool faded or distressed look, but it makes the fabric weaker, especially if your bleach mixture is too strong or if it's been left soaking for too long. If the jacket feels stiff after bleaching, don’t worry—you can soften it. Wash it with a fabric softener or let it soak in a solution of water and white vinegar, then tumble dry on low with dryer balls to restore flexibility. Keep in mind that vintage or delicate denim might not handle bleaching well, as the fibers are already aged.

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Tips

If you are having trouble producing an even fade by hand, try bleaching with a machine. Machine bleaching is more likely to reach the entire surface of your jacket.

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You might be looking to bleach your jacket with a particular pattern. For this, a bleach pen will better suit your needs.

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Warnings

Do not use bleach on a denim jacket mixed with elastic. Bleach will likely ruin any elastic, and has even been known to turn spandex yellow.^{[2]
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