DIY question about bleach... - YouLookFab Forum

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DIY question about bleach...

catgirl

Veteran

I'm home sick today (trying to recover because we are seeing Seinfeld tonight!), but not too sick to attempt a DIY! I'm trying to use bleach but nothing is happening with it, even undiluted. I know MaryK and others have bleached out jeans, and I'm only trying to do a galaxy print on a t-shirt via spritzing and blow dryer.

I'm using Clorox bleach. Does bleach expire or get weaker? Is there a better brand for this type of project? TIA!

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Anonymous

What fabric are you trying to dye? Cotton? What colour?

Is it actual bleach or a hydrogen peroxide?

catgirl

Veteran

Black cotton knit. Actual bleach (laundry bleach). Giant white jug.

catgirl

Veteran

Here's a link featuring a picture with my exact bleach!

http://www.missomnimedia.com/2.....alaxy-tee/

Maybe I'll just buy a new bottle - this one is probably 10 years old.

catgirl

Veteran

Hmm, two seconds of googling answered THAT question. Bleach has a really short shelf life!

http://chemistry.about.com/b/2.....f-life.htm

Anonymous

Oh yeah...10 years old is pushing it

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I never knew that! I don't use bleach very often, so the stuff we have is probably ineffective too. Hmm.

I'm intrigued to see the results of your DIY galaxy bleach print!

Anonymous

Haha, I was going to tell you that "vintage bleach" does not work.
You are a hoot!
Feel better.

catgirl

Veteran

Yeah, that shows you how often I use bleach in general. It is vintage, retro, or just dated?

Parsley

Veteran

Your inspiration tee is so cool! (Sorry, there's that word again, but it is.)

You might try a bleach pen for your project. It's basically an applicator of thickened bleach solution, and might be easier to use.
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_1.....43794663-2

Can't wait to see the finished product.

catgirl

Veteran

Parsley, that would be too intelligent for me. I've spent the morning decanting Windex and washing windows to use up the excess, all to obtain a spray bottle for this project. Sad, sad.

I will post a pic if the project ever works out!

Parsley

Veteran

The idea of spraying bleach sounds dangerous to me!
Please wear eye protection, but also be careful of your skin, or you may get chemical burns. Sorry to be all preachy, but truly, that stuff is caustic!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Ag, maybe the best way to do what you want is to get the spray Clorox bleach cleaner. I used it on a sweater once thinking it was Shout (whoops) and it does the galaxy effect really well.

Anonymous

If you're gonna spray, please do it outside.

Aside: Isn't it funny when bleach doesn't work when you want it to, but ***always*** works when you accidentally get some of it on your favorite garment?

Parsley

Veteran

[MD hat on]:
Honestly, I wouldn't spray it outside, because you don't have control over where the droplets blow, and you have to be careful of your eyes and skin.

The bathtub is probably as safe a place as any, but make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated. [MD hat off]

Anonymous

LOL
Have we met? I totally enroll myself in these bizarre projects. I would totally do the Windex relocation in the name of fashion.
I'm going to go with "just dated".
LOL

catgirl

Veteran

Aw, thanks, Doc Parsley! I will not be spraying outside, believe me - it's 20 degrees. I'm in my ventilated laundry room with gloves and glasses. So far so good - stage 1 is in dryer now, and as a bonus I washed it with all of DS's skanky socks which are now sparkly white! Will post some pics as it goes along.

BTW, this galaxy project is for my Halloween costume, "Miss Una-verse".