Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Try with natural remedies first
• Method 2 of 4: Using chemical treatments
• Method 3 of 4: Experiment with color corrections
• Method 4 of 4: Preventing stains in the future
• Tips
• Warnings

Whether you've spilled bleach on your favorite pair of jeans or your white T-shirt turned yellow, we've all experienced the effects of a bleach disaster! While your garment may not be able to be restored to its original splendor, it is possible to repair the damage significantly so that you can continue to wear it.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Try with natural remedies first

1. Use lemon juice for the gentlest treatment. If you are able to get the stain out this way, use the mildest approach and don't need to add any chemicals at all. Put 60 ml lemon juice and 4 liters of boiling water in a large bucket or container, soak the garment in it for one to two hours, then wring it out as best you can.
   • Allow the garment to dry completely in the sun before wearing it again.
2. Try with vinegar as another chemical-free option. Since vinegar contains acetic acid, it helps dissolve the bleach and peel away the damaged fabric. Buy white vinegar and soak the stain completely. Rinse the garment in cold water when it is done and repeat as needed.
   • Before treating the garment with vinegar, rinse it in cool water to remove any residual bleach. Mixing bleach with vinegar can release toxic substances.
   • Limit the amount of vinegar when using it on cotton garments, as it will ruin cotton fabrics over time.
3. Cover the stain with a piece of fabric. As another option, you can cover the stain instead of trying to remove it. Depending on where the stain is, a cleverly placed patch or your favorite badge will do! You could even use a crochet pattern.

Method 2 of 4: Using chemical treatments

1. Try with a mild bleach first before using something stronger. Don't start with something really aggressive. Add 15 to 30 g of Borax, which is sold in most supermarkets, to 400 ml of water and put it in the washing machine during the wash cycle.
2. Neutralize the color with alcohol. Take a cotton ball and soak it with a translucent alcohol, such as vodka or gin. Start gently rubbing the cotton ball over the stain. Don't be alarmed if you see the color run out. If you keep swabbing the area, the color of the garment will begin to sweep over the bleached area.
   • Rinse the garment thoroughly in water when it is done. You can let your garment dry in the sun or put it in the dryer.
3. Before the stains get worse, use sodium thiosulfate. This works great as an instant stain treatment before the stain spreads. Dip a clean white cloth, such as flannel, in sodium thiosulfate and blot the stain repeatedly until you see it start to disappear. Once the garment is soaked, rinse it in cold water and repeat the process until you are satisfied with the result.
   • This method, which is similar to the alcohol method, but much stronger, is designed to repair bleach-damaged tissues and is known as the "photographic repair agent".

Method 3 of 4: Experiment with color corrections

1. Fill in the stain with a permanent highlighter. Find one that matches your garment exactly or it will stand out as much as the stain itself! Run the marker over the stain and fix it with an iron, or put it in the dryer for a few minutes to make sure the ink doesn't run.
   • Always try the marker on a rag or old garment first to make sure you have chosen the right color.
   • This works great with black and dark colors, but not so well with white and light and bright colors.
2. Try to lighten the clothes naturally in the sun. Sometimes it can be better to cooperate with the stain than against it. Start by washing the garment and putting it outside directly in the sun. Wait a few hours and repeat the process if necessary.
   • Ultraviolet rays bleach the garment, so make sure the garment is laid flat and without wrinkles. You want it to lighten evenly.
   • This way, the stain will not disappear completely, but it will lighten.
3. As a last resort, bleach the entire garment. This is a slightly more drastic measure, but it can be very effective in changing the color of the rest of the garment. Place the garment in a large bucket or container of water, then add a capful of bleach. Swirl the garment in the bleach mixture until the desired color is achieved, adding more bleach as needed. Rinse the garment and then soak it in a bucket or container with cold water and hydrogen peroxide for half an hour.
   • Add 50 grams of hydrogen peroxide for every four to five liters of water.
   • If you've tried natural remedies and less invasive chemical options, consider bleaching the entire garment a last resort.

Method 4 of 4: Preventing stains in the future

1. Replace the bleach with a softer one. Standard bleach is harsh on clothes, and with a milder treatment you will get good results too. Bleach is not the best household product and is designed more for the commercial sector. Try a milder version like Borax or an oxygen bleach for home use.
2. Choose natural alternatives for a better environment. Consider the negative effects bleach has on the environment by choosing natural remedies. Choose to bleach in the sun or by adding 100 ml cup of lemon juice to the white washing program.
3. Clean your washing machine to remove bleach residue. While bleach is known for its cleaning properties, instead of cleaning your clothes, it can stain your clothes. If you used bleach in the built-in bleach container in your washing machine, make sure to wash it out before doing the next wash. Put your washing machine on a fast rinse cycle after you've done a laundry that contains bleach to make sure there are no bleach deposits.

Tips

• When bleaching in the sun, spray some lemon juice on the stains. The sun works together with the lemon juice to get an even better result.
• Start with the most natural treatment and then work your way up to chemical solutions or more drastic options.
• If your garment is beyond repair, consider upcycling it in some way instead of throwing it away.

Warnings

• Keep bleach and chemicals to remove bleach out of the reach of children and pets.
• Bleach is rough on the skin. Wear gloves and an apron so you don't damage your clothes.