Household Hints & Help

bucolic_frolic

(55,802 posts) Wed Jan 12, 2022, 01:47 PM Jan 2022

DIY Acid-washed jeans?

For that all-over 1980s acid washed look ... ? Any way to do it without bleach? I'm thinking washing soda and non-chlorine bleach powder might be strong enough on a half-faded pair.

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

DIY Acid-washed jeans? (Original Post) bucolic_frolic Jan 2022 OP

And... wyn borkins Jan 2022 #1

Thanks, all suggestions greatly appreciated bucolic_frolic Jan 2022 #2

Seriously... wyn borkins Jan 2022 #4

Oh, these are a used pair bucolic_frolic Jan 2022 #5

The results are in bucolic_frolic Jan 2022 #6

Thank You For Your (Faded) Response :: You Have My 'Jeans-Of-Appreciations' (N/T) wyn borkins Jan 2022 #7

I used lemon juice and sunlight..Down here in Florida the sun will bleach out most things.. mitch96 Jan 2022 #3

wyn borkins

(1,375 posts)

1. And...

Reply to bucolic_frolic (Original post)

Wed Jan 12, 2022, 01:56 PM

Jan 2022

I'm thinking even a small quantity of bleach (of any type) would tend to make a real mess and would only serve to 'wear-out' the jeans fabric at an alarming rate...

Odd Thought: Why not simply sew onto a new(ish) pair of jeans, some few bits of fabric from an older much-more washed-out and no-longer-in-service pair of jeans (?)

bucolic_frolic

(55,802 posts)

2. Thanks, all suggestions greatly appreciated

Reply to wyn borkins (Reply #1)

Wed Jan 12, 2022, 02:04 PM

Jan 2022

I did some more searching ... I'm keen to try a mix of squeezed lemon juice, washing soda, and a little non-chlorine bleach. These all fade and brighten. 2 gallons water. Those 1980s went for about $30-40 a pair ... going to give it a go one night this week. I just thought someone might do this on a regular basis

wyn borkins

(1,375 posts)

4. Seriously...

Reply to bucolic_frolic (Reply #2)

Wed Jan 12, 2022, 02:11 PM

Jan 2022

I would be interested in your results

Butt I would never try that myself as new 'jeans' are expensive

And I would like to get the most 'wear' out of each pair as might be fair

bucolic_frolic

(55,802 posts)

5. Oh, these are a used pair

Reply to wyn borkins (Reply #4)

Wed Jan 12, 2022, 02:23 PM

Jan 2022

bought for all cotton content and exact match for another pair of Arizona jeans, circa 2009. Can't use bleach on the new spandex jeans. Curiously the pair I already had I think were acid washed ... they sure look it.

bucolic_frolic

(55,802 posts)

6. The results are in

Reply to wyn borkins (Reply #4)

Mon Jan 17, 2022, 03:14 PM

Jan 2022

I used the juice of one lemon, 1/3 cup washing soda, 1/4 cup OxyClean, and 1/4 cup non-chlorinated bleach in about 3 gallons of water for 3 hours. The mixture bubbled a lot, took out some color the water was blue, but this was more like washing them 3 or 4 times than acid washing. But the fade has begun so we'll see where it leads next time through the wash!

wyn borkins

(1,375 posts)

7. Thank You For Your (Faded) Response :: You Have My 'Jeans-Of-Appreciations' (N/T)

Reply to bucolic_frolic (Reply #6)

Mon Jan 17, 2022, 03:32 PM

Jan 2022

mitch96

(15,875 posts)

3. I used lemon juice and sunlight..Down here in Florida the sun will bleach out most things..

Reply to bucolic_frolic (Original post)

Wed Jan 12, 2022, 02:07 PM

Jan 2022

The only problem is it takes a bit of time...
m

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