So you’re looking for a way to update your wardrobe, and maybe you’re a millennial who (like the rest of us) doesn’t have the spare cash for a shopping spree. Or maybe you do, but you’re feeling creative. Or maybe you don’t want to waste resources (How very Socially Responsible™ of you!). Or whatever, maybe you’re home and bored and looking for something to do. The point is, we have an easy DIY project to level up your wardrobe
Step 1
Take a plain black t shirt you like. Before you take on the project, do a small patch-test with some bleach before starting. Try it on a discreet area like under the arm or inside the bottom hem.
If you don’t know how to do a patch-test, it’s really simple. Take a drop of bleach and dab it on an area you’re not really going to notice if the color goes wonky. Leave it there for 10 mins. If you like the way it reacted, then you can go ahead and get started. If not… find another shirt to use and do a new patch test.
Make sure you use fresh bleach. Old bleach can become weak over time and be less effective in these kind of projects.
Also - make sure you’re wearing some old clothes that you don’t care if they get bleached out. Splashback is a thing that happens.
Step 2
Pour about 3cm (or 1” if you’re American) of bleach into a plastic bucket or tub.
Using gloves to protect your hands, dip the bottom ⅓ of the shirt in the bleach until it is thoroughly dampened. Slosh it around a little and then squeeze out any excess
Hang the shirt over a door or towel rack, damp side up. Allow the bleach to drip down the shirt for extra coolness
Give it about 10-15mins to process and change colour.
Repeat the process with another ⅔ of the shirt
Make sure you leave the top ⅓ of the shirt more or less black. Some drips look neat, but you don’t want to bleach the whole damn thing.
Step 3
Once you’re happy with the level of bleaching that you’ve got, take a very small amount of laundry detergent and rinse out your shirt in hot, soapy water. You will probably need to rinse it a few times until the water starts to run clear.
When you’ve made sure to rinse out all the bleach and soap from your shirt, wring it out as well as you can, then hang your shirt to dry. Preferably somewhere outside with a little sunshine. Because fresh air will help to air out any remaining bleachy smells. And bleach may look cool, but it stinks.
There is one final step to this process and you’re probably not going to like it (I know I hate it) but if you want an awesome looking shirt... you’re going to need to iron it. Some people say throwing your shirt in the dryer for a few mins will do the same job, but it probably won’t. Plus, the dryer is way more likely to shrink your shirt. So don’t be lazy. Or do, I’m not your mom. But an ironed shirt looks better.
That’s it, you’re done! Wear your new creation with pride and a smug sense of superiority because you did it yourself.
Did you read over this whole tutorial and go “Ugh, I don’t have tiiiiiiime for all this”? Well fret not my friend, you can let us do the work for you in exchange for a little cash. Our bleach dipped t shirt is on sale in our shop! There are only a few left in limited sizes, so if you aren’t feeling like a DIY warrior today, head over now and fill your cart with some bleach-dipped glory.