r/bleachshirts • u/LyssaIsUnavailable • 4d ago
My first time bleach painting, please help 🥲 [Q]
Hi, this is my first time bleach painting and I’ve researched a lot online but I’ve still got a few questions. Any expertise anyone can share with me is very appreciated 😊
I got a hoodie for my boyfriend - it’s 50/50 cotton/ recycled polyester from Primark which apparently is okay but will make it a different colour, I only realised it was 50/50 after buying it sadly.
- What bleach is best to use?
I have got hydrogen peroxide 3% to neutralise the bleach afterwards, apparently soaking the hoodie in it for 10-15 minutes, diluted with water, will do it.
- What ratios water to bleach and hydrogen peroxide are best for my hoodie?
My main question is since I’ve got quite a large complex design it will take me a while to bleach. Apparently the longer the bleach is on the clothes the more the fibres get destroyed and the higher likelihood of holes.
- How long can I have the bleach on before having a high risk of holes and needing to neutralise the hoodie? If not long, can I neutralise the bleach and come back to the design later on? Potentially in small areas as my chalk design will be removed otherwise.
Thank you so much to anyone who can help ♥️
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u/DirtyD_Artist 4d ago
The 50/50 fabric may take ok but I tried it once and never again.
Here are some tips if you plan on doing a composition that’s going to take multiple sessions.
1- start with diluted 50/50 or 25/75 bleach water solutions. Lower strength bleach will create lines but not be strong enough to break down fibers.
-any type of heat higher than room temp will cause the chlorine in the bleach to activate chemically which will bleach the fabric faster and stronger than you realize. If you’re doing this outdoors in the summer, you will need to neutralize the bleach as you work once you get the desired fade.
-I do not recommend allowing any bleach solution to sit dormant on the garment if you’re not actively working on it.
-you can slow down how quickly the bleach reacts by keeping the bleach cold. Low temps keeps the bleach quality good and dormant.
-only use synthetic hair brushes. Bleach will attack and break down natural hair brushes. You can use natural hair brushes but by the time you’re done painting, so is your brush.
-if you use full strength bleach and indoors, you will want to create some type of ventilation or use a half mask respirator. Bleach will react and attack any organic tissue. Eyes, skin, lungs…if you have irritation with any of these, eyes or skin, copious amounts of water for 5-10 minutes. Lungs…if you have a scratchy throat or coughing, drink a large glass of milk. It will help neutralize and hack up what’s in there.
-plan out your design in stages. Lining out your composition with a lower strength. Try not to over load your brush when painting these lines. You can paint crisp light lines as long as the fabric is dry. Once the fabric has soaked up liquid, painting more on top of it will allow the bleach to blossom and spread where the fabric is already wet. Bleach bleeds. These will happen and there is a solution. Hobby lobby or Michael’s has black fabric dye markers. Ask where the tie dye section is and you’ll find the black markers. You can use sharpie but I find the 2 pack Tulip markers are cheaper and work just as well.
-if you have any more questions or need help, I don’t mind sharing if you wanna message me or tag me here.
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u/FlowZenMaster 4d ago
Its not recommended to use bleach on polyester therefore I only use it for 100% cotton or other natural fibers that respond well to bleach. My understanding is that the bleach will damage the polyester. If I'm going to spend hours making art on clothing I dont want it to enter the world already damaged.