How to Fade Jeans with Bleach & Lighten Them

multiples pairs of faded jeans staggered neatly

Learn how to lighten your jeans with bleach. Follow our step-by-step guide for achieving the perfect faded look without damaging your denim.

More from Clorox experts

Jeans aren’t always the perfect shade of light blue when you buy them. Whether you're aiming for those natural wear patterns that raw denim enthusiasts love, a cool vintage distressed vibe, or just want to learn how to bleach jeans that came darker than you expected, there are plenty of easy techniques to get the perfect fade. We’ll show you how to fade jeans right at home.

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What to use

Steps to lighten jeans with bleach

  1. Prepare the bleach solution

    Wearing gloves, add 1/2 cup Clorox™ Bleach to 1 gallon cool water in the dishpan, and swirl to mix.

  2. Submerge the jeans in the bleach solution

    Be sure you have gloves on! Carefully swirl the jeans around until they’re saturated. Continue to swirl the jeans so that all areas are completely submerged in the bleach solution. Be careful not to splash any solution on yourself or your clothing.

  3. After about 2 minutes, check the color change

    Remove the jeans from the bleach solution to check how the color change is progressing (hold them over the dishpan to safely catch drips). If desired, return the jeans to the bleach solution and continue swirling to increase fading.

  4. Rinse jeans

    Thoroughly rinse the pants several times with cool water, then run a rinse cycle in your washing machine.

  5. Allow to air dry

    Roll the jeans in the towel to squeeze out excess water and hang the jeans to air dry.

Other methods without bleach

Washing machine: Wash your jeans in hot water to gradually fade the fabric. Repeated hot washes will help lighten the color over time.

Spray with water and salt: Mix water and salt in a spray bottle and apply it to your jeans. The salt will help break down the dye, leading to fading.

Sun fading: Lay your jeans out in direct sunlight for several hours. The UV rays will naturally lighten the fabric, especially if you turn them periodically for even fading.

Heavy wear activities: Engage in activities like hiking or biking while wearing your jeans. The friction and movement will cause the fabric to wear down and fade naturally.

Hydrogen peroxide: Create a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water, then apply it to your jeans. This will help lighten specific areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bleach jeans?

Yes! Bleaching is a popular method to lighten denim and create a custom faded look. Just be sure to follow safety tips to avoid damaging the fabric.

How do you fix bleach stains on jeans?

Bleach stains are permanent, but you can camouflage or repurpose the look. Try using fabric dye close to your jean’s original color to cover the spot, or get creative with fabric paint, patches, or intentional distressing to turn the stain into a design. If the stain is large, consider fully bleaching or dyeing the jeans for a fresh new style.

How do you wash jeans?

To keep your jeans looking great, especially after bleaching, turn them inside out and wash in cold water on a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and avoid over-washing to maintain color and fabric strength. Air dry whenever possible to prevent shrinkage and fading.

How long does it take to bleach jeans?

It typically takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how light you want them and the strength of the bleach solution. Check the fabric every few minutes to avoid over-bleaching or damaging the denim.

How do you distress or shred denim jeans?

Use tools like sandpaper, a pumice stone, or a razor blade to gently wear down areas like the knees, thighs, and pockets. To create shredded or ripped effects, cut small slits with scissors and fray the edges by pulling at the threads with tweezers or your fingers. Always start lightly and build up the distressed look gradually for a more natural finish.