Transforming a boring old black t-shirt using bleach!

Do you have a few boring old black t-shirts that you are sick of? Here's a way to transform them into "something else". It's sort of like tie-dying, but using bleach to remove the dye, instead of adding dyes. It's also a much quicker process, which I am sure "the have-it-nows" will appreciate!

Step 1: Purloin your boring old shirt

I have kidnapped an old black shirt from my son! You can also use boring old dark blue shirts for this transformation too! It is really cool! Be sure to use 100% cotton for this. First you need to wash the shirt (for who knows what perils lurk within its folds!) Once washed you can spin it dry and you are ready to begin!

Comments

[clutafobic]

Thanks for your pictures and instructions! I have tried to do the same with bleach on a black shirt. I did not get your beautiful results because I was too impatient. I kept adding more bleach until I see the black shirt changes colour.. I did get beautiful tie die results for a split second before ugly holes start to appear and the whole shirt falls apart. We should follow the proportion of water and bleach you provided!

[masterochicken]

So would this not work for synthetics? I kind of want to try it with a pair of basketball shorts.

[foobear]

wow, awesome results!

[meyers]

what if i add a colour corant to the bleach and water solution? Would the dye be for example blue instead of the bleach stain colour?

[mlockhart]

No - only because bleach removes color from anything. If your dye is in the same solution as the bleach, the bleach'll suck the color right out of it!

But, if you dye the shirt a color afterward, the places you've bleached will be extra thirsty and be very receptive to color!

Cool idea

[meyers]

Well thank you very much ;D
I'll try it.

[Perculiartom]

what type of bleach do you use?

[gi joe]

thanks cool shirt

[BobbyCage]

any way to keep all the "holes" black, makin 'em look like bullet holes?

[BobbyCage]

 oh...and also, the bigger the "object", like the marble, the bigger the circle?

[maniqueen]

I reaaally like the first one in the second row of pictures... you should do a tutorial for that one!! pleeease

[ve2vfd]

If you want additionnal spotty effect, when you take the shirt out of the bleach, lay it down flat on a table (outside!) and sprinkle straight vinegar on it.

The vinegar reacts violently with the bleach and burns deep spots in the fabric.

WARNING: This releases *very* nasty fumes, do it outside!

[bomberman3]

this also works with ammonia.

[bomberman3]

No, but seriously, don't. You will die.

[Maureclaire]

NEVER mix bleach and ammonia !!! VERY toxic !!! I KNOW someone who DIED that way !!! I am serious !!!

[x z i t]

viniger is easier 2 get tho

[NinjaSloth]

if you mix bleach with ammonia....................wow just don't...... you'll die

[Lance Mt.]

 anyone know the actual chemical reaction taking place? To cause the toxicity? 

[nina rabbit]

According to Wikipedia: "Mixing with chlorine-containing products or strong oxidants, such as household bleach, can lead to hazardous compounds such as chloramines" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloramine). Ammonia is generally irritating to mucous membranes such as in the eyes, nose, sinus, lungs, mouth, etc. Exposure to industrial strength ammonia for 30 minutes or more is considered hazardous to human respiratory health and injurious to the lungs. The fumes produced when ammonia and chlorine mix creates a gaseous release of compounds with even greater toxicity. In conclusion: DON'T MIX AMMONIA WITH BLEACH.

[Mandalore_Stier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A795611

[KottonKandy]

Way cool! I can't wait to try this!
    -K.K

[CriscoCisco]

Can you bleach tie dye with a brown shirt?

[whitehawk]

Great instructable - thanks! Just a quick tip to add: When you remove the shirt from the bleach mixture, it's a good idea to rinse it first in water, then in water with vinegar added. The vinegar neutralizes the bleach to make sure it doesn't keep working. cheers, julie

[stinkymum]

Thanks, that's a good idea.

[jeana41]

Very cool! How do you get the design of the one next to the diagonal, the tiger stripy looking one?

[xylo0]

How do u get the arrow design?

[stinkymum]

This is the lightning fold see
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-do-the-lightning-fold-when-bleaching-old-bl/
for the instructions

[jeana41]

Very cool! How do you get the patter of the one next to the diagonal (the "tiger" one)?

[stinkymum]

Go to this link and I'll show you how!
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-do-the-lightning-fold-when-bleaching-old-bl/

[NinjaSloth]

does any dark color work because i want to try some of my old brown shirts. They arn't very dark but i just wanna know if it could work before i destroy them.

[stinkymum]

it should work, and the shirts will be brown and lighter brown.

[hyperactiveguy]

I used to have a pair of black underwear... then somebody accidentally spilled bleach on them. Now they're black and orange HALLOWEEN ALL YEAR ROUND!!

[hammer9876]

I accidentally spilled multiple spots of some "mildew remover" (bleach) on a shirt I was wearing. It didn't looked bleached until it went through the wash. Over time, the fibers deteriorated and my white-splotched shirt became my holey shirt. Be careful will bleach.

[stinkymum]

You are so right!

[MissPennyFarthing]

Cool! :-) A couple of them remind me of Army camouflage!

[seantowle]

how do you do the one where it has the three circles and the lines diagonally across? thanks in advance

[stinkymum]

You scrunch diagonally from one corner to the sleeve opposite in pleats and rubber band round. Then you take some marbles and put them in the other corners and band them an then dip in the bleach solution.

[kangri]

Awesome Instructable!! I just finished bleaching my shirt and my sister did hers, and now they're in the washing machine. I used the bullseye technique while my sister tried the scrunching technique. They came out great, but we should've used tighter rubber bands for my sis's shirt XD I'm gunna try this using other colors. Thanks again!

[Mosh]

OK, all I need now is a source of cheap shirts! Thanks :)

[stinkymum]

Check your local thrift stores!