Bleaching black clothes

Saint

So I was trying to create an oragne-and-black splash design with bleach on a black t-shirt, and I was wondering how to keep it at a color because it's been about 20 minutes in and I like the shade it's at but it keeps getting lighter. Do I just pour water on it or...?

ceres

I think you would have to rinse it thoroughly to get the bleach out when you were ready.

Kakodaimonos

As long as the bleach is in the fibers and not neutralized, it's going to keep bleaching out the dye and weakening the fibers.

NEVER USE VINEGAR OR ANY OTHER ACID TO NEUTRALIZE BLEACH. It probably won't break down the hypochlorite into chlorine gas, but it will create hypochlorous acid, which is even worse for the fibers.

You can use Bisulfite, which is usually called Anti-Chlor and can be found at dye suppliers. Use 1 ounce per 2.5 gallons of water.

Or you can use Thiosulfate, called Bleach Stop. You need more of it than bisulfite, but you can usually find it at photography supply stores. You'll need about 1 ounce per gallon of water.

Finally, you can use Peroxide. Probably about half a bottle or so of the 3% peroxide solutions you can buy in the stores.

Saint

Well I don't have any of those things unfortunatley and no money to really speak of so I'm just going to rinse it in warm water and leave it out to dry, hopefully that does the trick, if not, then it was only a cheap black jockey shirt, so whatever

Forbe!

Use a more heavily diluted bleach solution that way you have more control over the reaction. I've done this before, and you just let it sit on there, until it dries, then wash it twice in cold water.

chromdom

I made this mistake years ago
Totally ruined the shirt.

Coincidentally, I got one a lot like this year for Christmas. So don't worry, if the shirt is ruined, you'll get one to replace it in 10-15 years

Saint

Forbe! wrote: »

Use a more heavily diluted bleach solution that way you have more control over the reaction. I've done this before, and you just let it sit on there, until it dries, then wash it twice in cold water.

Okay I'm doing this, hope I'm not too late

Saint

Did it, washed it, it's still wet but i felt like taking a picture of my work, and thanks to all you h/a guys for the tips