Maybe it’s time to throw away that old faded black shirt you’ve adorned on yourself for years! But are you thinking of getting it bleached? If yes, then it is the right choice!
Bleaching T-shirts are an old-fashioned way of the following sustainability in clothing. But, it is right to say that few fabrics can be stubborn and take hours to get bleached or may not even get bleached. Why is that so?
Why Is My Black Shirt Not Bleaching?
Your black shirt is not bleaching because of the way it was processed or because of the quality of the fabric. Cotton shorts are the easiest fabric to bleach, and synthetic ones are the toughest. Another reason could be because your black shirt has a colorfast design, and there was no other dye used to create the shirt.
Bleaching fabrics are easy, but without the right materials and fabrics, you can have a very hard time. The easiest way to do it is to understand the fabric and choose a bleach appropriate for the job.
Why Is My Black Shirt Not Bleaching White?
Bleaching a black shirt to white is next to impossible. A black shirt will never get bleached to pure white but instead turn yellowish-brown or reddish in color. The reason is because of the mechanics that go into creating a black shirt.
Thanks to technology and research, most of the clothes manufactured these days are made bleach resistant. The technique used for such a process is known as the solution-dyed technique.
In this technique, the dye is added in the middle of the fabric-making process. This process ensures that the color goes into the fabrics, and there is no turning back in the future. Hence, you get a fabric that is black resistant.
Also, remember that to bleach a fully black shirt o another color such as white can cause the fabric to tear or even burn. Therefore, it is wise to buy another shirt instead.
How Long Does It Take For Bleach To Work On A Black Shirt?
The answer depends on a lot of factors. The time will depend on how the original fabric was created and the quality of dye used in the fabric.
A good rule of thumb is to soak the shirt in the bleach mixture for at least 10 minutes and keep stirring. You may notice the black color leaves the shirt gradually.
In some cases, it may even take hours for a black shirt to get bleached. But, don’t leave the shirt in the solution for long hours at a stretch as that may cause damage to the fabric.
However, there may be instances where the bleach solution you are using is too weak. It may be a good idea to increase the bleach solution if the black shirt is taking a lot of time.
Can You Bleach A Black Shirt?
Yes, you can absolutely bleach a black shirt. A common design for bleaching black shirts is the tie-and-dye method. Blackshirts have a tendency to turn orangish or yellowish-brown when they are bleached.
If you are using a strong bleach solution, then it may take about 5 minutes to turn your black shirt into orange. If you want a lighter shade of orange, then you can soak the fabric again at intervals of about 5 minutes.
A neutralizing solution must be kept ready to neutralize the bleach in your shirt. Make a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide and ten parts water in a bucket.
After you have achieved your desired color, soak the black shirt in the neutralizing solution to stop the fabric from getting lighter.
Three Best Bleaches For Black Shirts
Here are the top 3 bleaches for black shirts on Amazon!
1. OxiClean white revives laundry whitener
The OxiClean laundry whitener will brighten all whites and colored fabrics and is a good option to bleach your black shirt with. It is chlorine-free, so you don’t have to worry about a foul smell.
For bleaching tough stains on your black shirt, this is the best bet since it is safe on colors and removes stains in a few minutes. You simply need to soak in warm water for 5-10 minutes, and you are done!
The solution is safe on the skin and won’t cause any irritation. It is safe from any accidental bleach spills that may happen.
2. Clorox-splash less bleach
The Clorox-splash less bleach offers a new formula that provides 10x deep cleaning benefits. It works on tough stains and whitens fabrics which will work well on colored fabrics like black shirts.
The best part is this bleach can be used on other surfaces, too, such as sinks, kitchen countertops, bathroom floors, and more. It leaves the room and fabric smelling fresh.
3. ARM & HAMMER Plus OxiClean 5-in-1 power paks
This bleach is powered by America’s NO.1 stain fighter brand OxiClean and holds its reputation by being one of the best stain removers in the market.
It brightens colored fabrics and whitens whites, along with removing the toughest of stains. This bleaching solution can remove over 100+ stains on clothes.
It works in both high-efficiency and standard washing machines and gives deep cleaning while deodorizing the fabric. It fights off odor and acts as a scent booster.
Final Words
Bleaching a black shirt has become a common trend these days. Also, the term bleaching can have different meanings for some. For example, bleaching a black shirt into white or bleaching a black shirt to remove tough stains.
Nevertheless, it is easier to bleach tough stains off a black shirt than to bleach a black shirt to pure white. The above-mentioned bleaches are some of the best solutions for removing tough and will work great on black shirts.
There are many ways to bleach a black shirt into different designs that are considered fashionable these days. The tie-dye method is the most common and easiest to carry out.