Acid washing is a term for the process of partially bleaching pants or jeans using chlorine bleach. Many people like the style or look of acid-bleached jeans. However, such jeans are usually sold at high prices in stores. Instead of buying at the store, you can fade your jeans yourself, simply by preparing a bleach mixture and a pair of jeans, and performing the fading process in a well-ventilated area.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Starting the Acid Washing Process
Step 1. Choose the jeans you want to fade
The acid washing process will fade the color of the pants a lot, so it is recommended that you do not choose a new pair of jeans or the one that you like the most. Choose old jeans for this process.
If you don't have any old jeans, try visiting a thrift or discount store. There you can find inexpensive jeans for use in the acid washing process
Step 2. Tie a few rubber bands on each leg
This is done to produce a striped color appearance and has the effect of a tie-dye dyeing process. Tie one leg at a time using a rubber band.
- There is no specific method for tying trouser legs. The binding depends on the type of color pattern you want. If you want the color to look like a dyed tie, twist a few sections on each leg and secure it with an elastic band. If you want a more presentable look, choose less pants to twist and hold with an elastic band. You can only twist certain areas, such as the calves or knees.
- Once you've twisted the desired sections, roll up each trouser leg. Use a larger rubber band to hold each roll tighter. Now, your jeans are tied and form a kind of thick little roll.
Step 3. Fill the bucket with 2.4 liters of cold water
Choose a bucket that is large enough to allow the pants to soak evenly. Make sure you use cold water for this process. If necessary, you can cool it down first if the water is still warm.
Make sure you measure the water you put in the bucket. Often on the outside of the bucket there is information on the volume of the bucket. If not, use a measuring device to measure with certainty that the volume of water added is 2.4 liters
Step 4. Add 1.4 liters of bleach to the water
You will need to use chlorine bleach, which can be purchased at most hardware stores and supermarkets. Make sure you wear gloves when using bleach. Pour the bleach into the water and make sure you pour in 1.4 liters.
For a more contrasting look, add bleach in a volume greater than 1.4 liters. This will make the bleach solution stronger, so it can lift more of the color from the jeans
Part 2 of 3: Completing the Acid Washing Process
Step 1. Soak your jeans in the bleach solution
Put on gloves before you soak the pants. Dip the pants into the bleach solution until the pants are completely submerged.
If there are parts of the pants that are not submerged, that's fine. You can turn your pants over afterwards. Just make sure that most of the pants are submerged in the bleach solution
Step 2. Turn the pants over every 20 minutes
Set a timer to make sure you periodically turn your soaked pants over. Always wear gloves when you handle pants. By periodically turning the pants over, the fading effect will be more thorough.
You will see a change in the color of the pants when they are turned over. The color in some parts will fade so the pants look whiter
Step 3. Soak the pants for 30 minutes to 1 hour
The length of the soaking process will depend on the desired effect. For a more defined, faded effect, soak your pants longer to lift the color off the fabric. For a softer look, you only need to soak the pants for half an hour.
Check your pants periodically if you're not sure how long to soak them. Once the desired effect is established, you can remove the pants from the bleach solution
Step 4. Rinse the pants with cold water
Make sure you rinse the pants thoroughly. You can rinse it with cold water under running water. As before, always wear gloves when you handle jeans. Do not let the bleach solution touch your hands.
- You can also rinse your pants outside with a hose.
- Make sure the entire pants are rinsed thoroughly to remove the bleach from the pants.
- When you're done rinsing, squeeze the water out of the pants.
Step 5. Wash and dry your pants
Use cold water when washing pants. You need to do two rounds of washing. In the first cycle, wash the pants without using detergent. While in the second round, use detergent when washing pants.
- After two wash cycles, dry the pants by hanging them. Do not put the pants in the dryer.
- Now, your jeans have an acid washed faded look.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Preventive and Safety Measures
Step 1. Put on gloves before you use bleach
It is dangerous when whitening products come into direct contact with the skin. Therefore, you need to wear closed plastic or rubber gloves when using whitening products.
Check your gloves before you use a bleach product. Make sure the gloves don't tear. If it breaks, throw the glove away and put on another one for your own safety
Step 2. Perform this process in a well-ventilated room or place
Vapors that collect from bleach can cause dizziness, eye irritation, and respiratory problems. Therefore, when using whitening products in the fading process, make sure you carry out the process in a well-ventilated room.
If possible, do the acid washing process outdoors so that there is greater air circulation
Step 3. Wear eye protection
It is important that you wear safety glasses when using whitening products. Whitening products can cause serious damage if they come into contact with the eyes.
- If product gets in eyes, rinse eyes with water for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove contact lenses if you wear them.
- Call emergency services if product gets in eyes.
Step 4. Wash your hands after using whitening products
This is important, especially if you are going to eat after the acid washing process. After the process is complete, wash your hands using warm water and soap. Whitening products should not stay on your hands for a long time, and should not be inhaled.
Tips
- For an ombre effect, you can dip the top or bottom of the pants in the bleach solution, then gradually dip more parts of the pants over 1 hour. Remove and wash the pants when finished, without using detergent.
- It's a good idea to wear old or unused clothes when doing the acid washing process.
