I don’t really get the whole “No white after Labor Day” saying…the practice (if there ever was one) was probably way before my time and amongst a social set I was not exactly a part of.  In any case, white and Labor Day are somehow inextricably combined in my mind, so what better day to look into dyeing…er, bleaching your fashion blindingly, brilliantly white?

From my friends at Clorox:

Using bleach to lighten clothing or discharge dye is a fun and easy way to give new life to an old item. The basic techniques below will help you unleash your creative side, but first it’s important to note that you start by preparing a neutralizing solution to stop the bleaching action once you are satisfied with the results. You can create this solution with one part hydrogen peroxide (that you get at the drugstore) to 10 parts water, which you can prepare in your clothes washer or a dishpan. (A clothes washer half-filled with water + a capful of liquid Clorox 2® is also effective.)

De-Blue Your Denim

photo source

Let’s face it, jeans can get boring. Find out how to lighten your blues without opening your wallet. White jeans are the perfect neutral for any season! Pair with a bright top and nude shoes and you’re ready to go with a new look for Saturday night. (And you can create it in less than an hour.)

Get the look:
1. First, arm yourself with rubber gloves.

2. Soak jeans in a concentrated bleach solution of ¾ cup Clorox® Regular-Bleach per gallon of water.

3. Submerge jeans, agitating them occasionally in the bleach solution for 5 – 7 minutes.

4. Pour off soaking solution and transfer immediately to the neutralizing solution; submerge completely for 10 minutes.

5. Drain the neutralizing solution, and finish up with a detergent-only wash cycle.

Get Artistic and Draw a Bleached-Out Design

photo source: Easy T-Shirt Sketching from Instructables.com

Or try this project from N.E.E.T Magazine: DIY Bleached Stripe Shirt

All one color isn’t your thing? Here are some tips on using a Clorox® Bleach Pen Gel to lighten certain areas if your look is a little edgier:

Get the look:
1. Before applying the gel, insert white hand towels inside garment to prevent gel from soaking through to the other side.

2. Squeeze some of the gel onto fabric, and gently rub in using the broad scrubber tip.

3. How long to leave on the gel depends on the dye—check periodically by scraping off a little of the gel so you can check fading progress; if you want more fading, reapply.

4. After up to 25 minutes, transfer jeans to the neutralizing solution, submerge for 10 minutes and gently agitate.

5. Drain the neutralizing solution, and then finish up with a detergent-only wash cycle.

Give a New Life to Clothes for the Lil’ ‘Uns

photo source

Need a fun idea for a friend’s baby shower? Make sure the new little one has a chance to be the next designer baby with a wide range of wardrobe choices in their first closet.  Create your own “Project Runway” for shower guests and set up a decorating station with freshly bleached onesies.

photo source: Bleach Pen T-Shirts from I Shoulda Turned Left

If a baby isn’t on the horizon, you can recreate looks for your friends or give hand-me-downs an upgrade. Think making your sister’s old blue dress fresh (and trendy!) by reinventing it with bleach.
Get the look:
1. Soak garment in a concentrated bleach solution of ¾ cup Clorox® Regular-Bleach per gallon of water.

2. Wearing rubber gloves fully submerge the cotton clothing, agitating occasionally in the bleach solution for 5 – 7 minutes.

3. Pour off the soaking solution and transfer immediately to the neutralizing solution; submerge completely for 10 minutes.

4. Drain the neutralizing solution, and then finish up with a detergent-only wash cycle.

Make Your Fabric Accessories White Hot

photo source: Bleach Pen Henna Design Maryjanes on Craftster.org

Take your outfit up a notch with simple changes to your accessories. Break up your black on black routine at the office and tone down your belt, scarf or headband with a new white pattern.
Get the look:

1. Choose a work surface (like a clean kitchen counter) that is safe for bleach to lay the item out on; prevent any bleach from soaking through by inserting a white towel inside the item first.

2. Using a Clorox® Bleach Pen draw your design using the fine tip.

3. Once you are satisfied with the color change, pour a little of the neutralizing solution directly onto the item, saturating the garment.

4. Transfer item to the container with the neutralizing solution; submerge for 10 minutes and gently agitate.

5. Drain the neutralizing solution, and then finish up with a detergent-only wash cycle.

For more tips and trends visit Clorox’s Dr. Laundry before your next fashion emergency!

xoxox
Carly

*text courtesy of Clorox’s PR Company

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