This article was co-authored by Kamel Almani and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Kamel Almani is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Co-Owner of WashyWash, a toxin-free and eco-friendly laundry and dry clean service based in Amman, Jordan. Kamel and his staff at WashyWash use Blue Angel certified and dermatologically-tested detergents. They also combine EcoClean and digital technology to provide an eco-friendly, convenient, and quality cleaning service. Kamel holds a BA in Design from the University of Applied Science, Amman.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 211,954 times.
Whether you accidentally spilled bleach on your favorite jeans or your white t-shirt has gone yellow, there are tons of ways to minimize bleach stains. Although you can’t remove the bleach stain, you can neutralize the bleach so the fabric won’t tear and lighten or cover the bleach stain with lemon juice or rubbing alcohol. We’ll also give you other ways to cover up the stain using dye or patches and tell you how to avoid bleach stains in the future. Read on for a complete guide to treating bleach stains!
Removing Bleach Stains from Clothes
- Rinse the stain with cold water until the bleach is removed. Apply a paste made of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water, let it dry, then brush the paste off.
- Rinse the stain again to make sure all the bleach is out. If the garment is white, pour lemon juice on the stain and wash it with cold water.
- If the piece of clothing is black or colored, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub from the edge of the stain inward to transfer the dye to the stain.
Steps
Removing Bleach Stains from White Clothes
-
Rinse the item and soak it in lemon juice to remove yellow stains. Wash the fabric under the water to make sure all the bleach is completely gone. Pour or squeeze pure lemon juice onto the stained area and let it sit in the sun for a day. When you bring it inside, wash it as normal by hand or put it in the washing machine.[3]
- Alternatively, add the garment to 1⁄4 cup (59 mL) lemon juice and 1 gallon (3.8 L) of boiling water, allow it to soak for 1 to 2 hours, then ring it out. Wash as normal by hand or in the washing machine.
- If the yellow stain is still there, repeat this method or try a different method.
- Lemon juice contains ascorbic acid, which can neutralize all residual bleach and remove any yellow staining.
-
Alternatively, wash the fabric and apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Wash the area with cold water to dilute and remove any excess bleach. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Dampen a clean cloth in the mixture and dab the stain. Let the mixture sit on the stain for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse the fabric with cold water.[4]
- Hydrogen peroxide can help remove yellow stains and restore the fabric’s white color.
- If the bleach stain is still there, use a bleach remover designed for white fabrics. Follow the instructions, and test it on a small, inconspicuous area first before applying to the stain.
Removing Bleach Stains from Black, Dark, or Colored Clothes
-
Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub at the stain. Rinse the bleached area thoroughly with cold water. Pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol into a small bowl and dip a cotton swab or cotton ball in the mixture. Start at the outer edges of the bleach stain and work into the center to transfer the color of the fabric to the stain.[5]
- The bleached area might still be slightly lighter than the other parts of the shirt, but this can help hide the stain.
-
Apply white vinegar or lemon juice and water to the stain if it’s still there. Rinse the stained area thoroughly with cold water to make sure all the bleach is removed. Spray or dab the shirt with a clean cloth dipped in a mixture of equal parts white distilled vinegar or lemon juice and warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Alternatively, wash the stain with a couple of drops of dish soap mixed in 1⁄2 gallon (1.9 L) of warm water. Dip a clean cloth in the mixture and scrub the stain from the outer edges to the center.
Expert Q&A
-
QuestionIs there any way to get rid of a bleach stain?Kamel AlmaniKamel Almani is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Co-Owner of WashyWash, a toxin-free and eco-friendly laundry and dry clean service based in Amman, Jordan. Kamel and his staff at WashyWash use Blue Angel certified and dermatologically-tested detergents. They also combine EcoClean and digital technology to provide an eco-friendly, convenient, and quality cleaning service. Kamel holds a BA in Design from the University of Applied Science, Amman.
Laundry & Cleaning SpecialistBleach stains are permanent, but you may be able to re-dye the fabric back to its original color. -
QuestionCan you soak clothes in bleach overnight?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYou can, but make sure it’s a dilute or gentle bleach solution so that you don’t damage your clothes. -
QuestionWhat happens to gray when you bleach it?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerGray dyes, as well as browns, often turn pink when you bleach them. However, it may depend on the kind of dye that was used in your item.
Video
Tips
-
As an alternative to regular bleach, you can also “sun-bleach” your other clothes by spraying some lemon juice on the stains and leaving the item out in the sun.[15]Thanks
-
Before applying any cleaning product or stain removal method, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it doesn't cause damage or discoloration.Thanks
-
If your garment is beyond repair, consider up-cycling it by making it into a cute bag or cutting it up and using the scraps for a craft project.Thanks
Warnings
- Keep bleach and chemicals to remove bleach out of reach of children and pets.Thanks
- Try to avoid using vinegar to neutralize bleach without washing it out. Instead of neutralizing, it reacts with the hypochlorite and turns into hypochlorous acid and other dangerous chemicals.[16]Thanks
References
- ↑ Kamel Almani. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/how-remove-bleach-stains-5-simple-fixes
- ↑ https://www.lovetoknow.com/home/cleaning/removing-yellow-stains-from-clothing
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-whiten-yellowed-wool-215329
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/08/how-to-mend-bleached-clothes
- ↑ Kamel Almani. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.
- ↑ https://medium.com/@dollysdisco/diy-bleach-tie-dye-tutorial-quick-and-easy-reverse-tie-dye-shredded-skinny-jeans-1da630a0e523
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/08/how-to-mend-bleached-clothes
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/08/how-to-mend-bleached-clothes
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/safety/how-to-safely-clean-and-sanitize-with-bleach.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.html
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/detergents/using-bleach-laundry
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/detergents/using-bleach-laundry
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/what-to-clean-and-what-not-to-clean-with-lemon-a1493706190/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/tips-checklists/how-to-clean-washing-machine/
- ↑ https://keeperofthehome.org/forget-the-bleach-how-to-use-the-sun-to-whiten-your-whites/
- ↑ https://facilities-med.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2011/12/Information-about-Bleach-Neutralizers.pdf
About This Article
Don’t panic if you’ve stained your clothes with bleach, since there are a few ways you can try to get it out. Mix ¼ cup of lemon juice and 1 gallon of boiling water in a bucket or tub and soak your clothing in it for 1 to 2 hours. If you don’t have lemon juice, pour some white vinegar onto the stain and rinse it out with cold water. You might have to repeat this a few times to see results. If the stain’s still there, mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of borax with 2 cups of water. Then, add this to your washing machine’s detergent dispenser along with some detergent and wash your clothing like normal. For more tips, including how to cover your bleach stain with a permanent marker, read on!