Pro Tip: If you’re working with a delicate or lightweight fabric, consider placing a piece of cardboard or a plastic sheet underneath the stained area. This will prevent the pen from bleeding through to the other side and staining the surface below. Stir constantly for the first 20 minutes, then frequently for at least 2 hours. After the first 20 minutes, you can turn the heat down. If you like, you can turn off the heat and allow the item to sit in the dye for several hours or overnight. Step 6: Soak in color fixative Be careful when using bleach: If you do use bleach, be sure to dilute it properly and follow the instructions on the label. Wear gloves and protect your clothing from splashes.

Look for a fabric sealant spray specifically designed for use on fabric markers or pens. Wash garment before wearing to test durability Dry the fabric completely before dyeing. You can use a dryer or hang it outside in the sun. It’s important to make sure the fabric is completely dry to avoid any uneven dyeing.With the right fabric markers and a little creativity, you can transform those unsightly bleach stains into a unique and personalized design! Pre-Treating and Prepping the Bleached Fabric Wash the garment first if needed For example, if our item’s dry weight is 150g, and we need 2% dye, the formula is (2×150)/100 for 3g of dye.

Wash the fabric thoroughly using a mild detergent and warm water. Avoid using fabric softener as it can leave a residue that will hinder the dye absorption. Shuffle your fabric to the side with your tongs or spoon so you’re not pouring directly on the fabric. Mix thoroughly. To prevent the fabric pen from bleeding through to the other side of the garment, place a sheet of paper or cardboard inside the affected area. This will act as a barrier and absorb any excess ink, ensuring that the color stays where it’s supposed to. Use short, directional strokes to build up color Use alternative cleaning agents: Bleach isn’t the only cleaning agent out there. Consider using alternatives such as hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, which are less likely to cause bleach stains.Use dye that’s designed for the fiber content of your coat – acid dyes for wool and protein fibers, fiber-reactive for cotton, and disperse dyes for polyesters and synthetics. Dye activator: Citric Acid or White Vinegar (from your local supermarket, both work equally well) for protein fibers, or Salt and Soda Ash for cellulose fibers. The gold topstitching thread on jeans is frequently polyester, so do keep in mind that this may not absorb fiber-reactive dye in the same way the fabric does. Additionally, if the jeans you’re dyeing are starting off quite dark blue, they’ll likely still have a tinge of blue once you’ve finished dyeing. This is less likely if you start with jeans that are a lighter color to begin with. This ensures that the color sets properly and reduces the risk of smudging or bleeding. Go slightly past the edges of the bleached area

To achieve vibrant and long-lasting color, it’s crucial to rinse and dry the dyed fabric properly. After letting the dye set for the recommended amount of time, you should rinse the fabric thoroughly in cold water until the water runs clear. This step is important to remove any excess dye that may have accumulated on the fabric’s surface.Weigh the item you’re dyeing and write down its total dry weight. Step 3: Calculate how much dye you need You may notice some color running the first time you wash a garment dyed with these dyes, but this is most frequently because the post-dye washout wasn’t thorough enough. Be sure that when you wash out the dye, you keep going until the water runs clear! This will limit the risk that a freshly dyed item may accidentally stain something else that it’s washed with.