Name: Pam

Message: I am going to try a light bleach solution to my solid hot pink color 100% cotton t-shirt (for a pink and white effect). I don't want to dip the whole shirt into the solution, but just portions of the rubber band spirals? I also want to write something on the shirt with the same solution. (I will avoid this area with the spiral tie dye patterns) I will apply with a cotten ball, wearing gloves, old clothes (preferably white) and be in an area where I will not damage anything. I am thinking of a solution of 1 gallon water to a cup of bleach. Then I will wash the shirt in cold water in the washing machine. What do you think? I have never done this, but got the idea from always having some of my clothes accidently getting a bleach spot on them when I am cleaning.

I think you have a pretty good handle on this already. There are two important things I'd like to add:

1. You should neutralize the chlorine bleach in your garment, after rinsing, by soaking it with Anti-chlor or ordinary drugstore 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. See "How can I neutralize the damaging effects of chlorine bleach?". This will prevent further damage by chlorine bleach, which can continue even after rinsing, resulting in shredded fabric after a few washings. Do not use vinegar to neutralize bleach, because acid will produce more caustic and dangerous forms of chlorine.

2. The pink dye may or may not bleach, depending on what dye the manufacturer used, which is impossible to know. You just have to try it.

There are other chemicals you can use instead of bleach, such as Jacquard Discharge Paste and Rit Color Remover, which are less damaging to fiber than bleach, but which require added heat. Most are equivalent to each other but will give different results than bleach (some dyes are more susceptible to bleach, while others are more susceptible to reductive discharge chemicals. See "What chemicals can be used to remove dye?".

A very  handy way to write with bleach is to use a Clorox Bleach Pen, which contains thickened bleach, like a gel, so it goes where you want and stays there instead of flowing freely.

I'm glad you're being careful to wear clothes that you don't mind accidentally spattering with bleach. Also, be careful of fumes and skin exposure, because chlorine bleach is one of the most hazardous of household chemicals. Be sure to have excellent ventilation, and/or wear a respirator over your mouth and nose with an acid gas cartridge to filter the air. Wear sturdy gloves so that you do not expose your skin to much of the bleach. Chlorine bleach can make you quite sick if you get overly exposed to it. Color Remover and other reductive discharge chemicals are safer, but without protection the sulfur dioxide they produce can trigger asthma attacks in people who are already prone to them.

Also see my pages, "How to Tie Dye on Dark Fabric", and "Discharged 'dyed' Mandalas: no dye added".

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