Dark indigo blue jeans are the epitome of a smart casual style. They go well with suit jackets and look comfortable at semi-formal events. The only trouble is, sometimes they are just too dark. Sometimes lighter, colored jeans blend in better with summer pastels, which leaves me wondering how I can lighten my jeans.
There are several ways to lighten jeans, from rubbing them with sandpaper to treating them with salt and vinegar. The quickest method is to soak them in a bleach bath. Another substance that will quickly lighten jeans is hydrogen peroxide. For a more natural faded effect, jeans should be left in direct sunlight or washed in hot water.
In this article, you’ll find out how to lighten jeans using everyday household products. You’ll also discover how sunlight can help you achieve a lighter look.
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Why You Should Lighten Your Jeans
Lightening the color or shade of your jeans is a great way to rejuvenate them, especially if you’ve owned them for more than a couple of years.
Your personal style or tastes can change over time and what was once your go-to pair of black denim jeans is probably sitting forgotten at the back of your closet. Now, they are too dark or difficult to match with other items in your wardrobe.
It’s not just your preferences that can alter. If you follow fashion trends, you’ll know that fast fashion can change drastically from one season to the next. Meaning the colors that were hot and happening last year can make your style look dated today.
The great thing about denim jeans is they are made from cotton. Cotton is super-easy to dye. So although your jeans may be in an outdated color, you can quickly dye them to this season’s shades.
Giving your jeans a color-lifting makeover can also help hide color runs. Denim might suck up dyes like a sponge, but it’s also prone to color bleeds. This isn’t just bad news for other garments in the wash with your jeans. It’s problematic for your jeans too.
When color bleeds out of your jeans, it isn’t following a set pattern. There’s no uniformity to it. Some parts of your jeans may lose color faster than others. Leaving you with the potential dilemma of having one leg darker than the other. Or worse, you could end up with splotches.
Only one way to fix a laundry disaster involves a patchy color finish. Upcycle your jeans with the distressed look. Making denim jeans look old on purpose is on-trend right now. Grab some sandpaper and rub your jeans for DIY aging treatment. Not only will this help lighten your jeans, but you’ll also look super hip and ooze modern chic.
Darker jeans, particularly smart jeans without any rips or tears, look great with suit jackets. You can go to town on dressing them up. Although they fall short of being boardroom friendly, they are acceptable at many semi-formal events. So much so that dark blue or black jeans can look a little stuffy for dress-down days or a summer beach barbecue.
A lighter shade of denim will enhance your inner rebel helping you feel footloose and trouble-free. Better still, lightening your jeans will instantly turn your smart-casual image into a new fun-loving and relaxed persona.
How to Lighten Jeans
There are several methods you can use to lighten your jeans. The one you choose will depend on the type of jeans you have. It’s worth finding out the fiber content of your denim before you try to lighten your pants.
Skinny jeans or jeans with a touch of lycra may not lighten as well as you hope they will. Lycra is a synthetic substance and doesn’t like bleach or heat. Trying to fade stretch jeans could end up damaging them.
Prewashed denim or jeans treated with chemicals to achieve a special finish are also at risk of being spoiled. As they have already been exposed to harsh products like bleach, adding more to the mix could prove fatal for your jeans.
It is relatively easy to lighten jeans. You just need to be careful and know what type of denim you are dealing with. Always do a spot test in an inconspicuous area first to make sure your jeans will survive the lightening treatment.
The following Step-by-step instructions will walk you through the different methods you can use. Read all of them before you start your lightening project. That way, you’ll know from the outset which one will work best for you.
1. Chemical Color Removers
You can use a chemical color remover to lighten your jeans. RIT Color Remover is a popular choice. It’s a reductive bleach that doesn’t contain chlorine, so it is safer for fabric fibers. It reduces the color of a garment so you can dye it a different shade.
Although this is a popular method for lightening jeans, RIT packaging states their product is not suitable for use on indigo jeans or blue denim. This could be because jeans’ famous indigo blue color is woven into the material rather than dyed over the top.
You may find RIT works best with black jeans. These are dyed black rather than woven with black threads. However, there is a word of caution. Nothing is guaranteed. Even if a chemical color remover works on your jeans, you may not get the exact shade you were looking for.
You will need:
- Chemical Color Remover like RIT
- Stainless steel potential
- Fabric dye
- Stove top
- Rubber gloves
- Laundry tongs
- Water
- Well ventilated area
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
Step 1
Read the instructions on the RIT Color Remover packaging and follow them. Make sure the area you intend to work in has an opening window or door. You need your space to be well ventilated. Next, check the product is compatible with the fiber content of your jeans. You want to lighten them, not destroy the fabric.
Step 2
Make sure your jeans are clean by washing them. Put your stainless steel pot on your stove top and fill it with water. There needs to be enough to completely submerge your jeans. Heat the water to a temperature of 200°F. When the water shows signs of bubbling, add the color remover and mix it in. Turn down the heat.
Step 3
Put your wet jeans into the pot and stir them around using your laundry tongs. Make sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Keep an eye on your jeans. This process can take between 10-20 minutes. As soon as you see a color change, remove the jeans from the pot.
Step 4
Rinse the jeans in warm water until the water runs clear. At every water change, reduce the temperature of the water. You should end up rinsing the jeans in cool water. Then wash the jeans as you would normally using your usual laundry detergent. Don’t wash any other garment at the same time.
Step 5
Now the original color has been removed; you have a choice of options. You can either leave the jeans to dry in their new bleached effect finish. Or you can redye them to your preferred shade using a fabric dye.
2. Salt
Salt probably didn’t feature highly on your list of possible products for lightening jeans. It’s pretty effective, though. Made up of fine particles, salt is naturally abrasive. When it’s rubbed into denim, it can loosen the fibers and expose the whiter threads within.
You will need:
- Table salt
- Large bucket or sink
- Laundry tongs
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
- Clothesline
Step 1
Fill your bucket or sink with water. You need enough to completely cover your jeans. Add two cups of table salt. Next, add your jeans and push them under the surface of the water with your laundry tongs.
Step 2
How long you leave your jeans in the bucket is up to you. You can go for a minimum of 30 minutes up to two days. The longer you leave them, the more chance the salt has of working on the fibers. However long you leave them, you need to stir them every so often.
Step 3
When you are happy they have soaked for long enough, take them out of your bucket or sink and transfer them to your washing machine. Wash them using your normal washing detergent on a cool setting. Don’t put anything else in the machine with them, though. The salt may damage other items.
Step 4
Allow your jeans to air dry on a clothesline outside or an internal drying rack. Your jeans should be rocking a new distressed and lighter look.
3. Sunlight
When it comes to bleaching the color out of jeans, sunlight is second to none. Not only can it fade the color out of your hair and your favorite denim, but it can also fade the color in some plastics. The fading effect doesn’t happen overnight, though. You do have to be a little patient with this method.
You will need:
- A bright sunny day
- External Clothesline
- Clothes pegs
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
Step 1
Wash your jeans as you would normally using your regular laundry detergent. Hang them out to dry in direct sunlight, with the front section facing the sun. Make sure to peg them to the line by the waist. If you hang them by the legs, you’ll get peg marks on the hems. It will also stop the sunlight from hitting the fabric in that part of the hem.
Step 2
Leave the jeans to dry for 30 minutes. Then turn them around so that they are hanging with the back section facing the sun. Allow drying for another 30 minutes. Turning them around ensures an even fading. Bring the jeans inside once both sides have had their allotted time. Over exposing your jeans to sunlight will turn your jeans into cardboard, so continue the drying process indoors.
Step 3
Once the jeans are dry, check the level of fading. You may have to repeat the process to get the shade you are looking for.
4. Bleach
If you’re in a hurry, you need a product that will work effectively in the shortest amount of time. You’ll need to head for the bleach. Be careful, though. This is one method where you must check the fiber content of your jeans before lightening them.
It’s a good idea to check if you are on a mains sewer system or septic tank for waste. Bleach kills the good bacteria in septic tanks, causing them to malfunction. Don’t use this method if you have a septic tank.
Any trace of elastane in your jeans will be damaged by bleach, as will any special finishes. Bleaching jeans to make them lighter isn’t going to make them last very long. You’ll probably reduce their lifespan to a couple of years.
You will need:
- Chlorine bleach
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Cool water
- Well ventilated area
- Old clothing
- Rubber gloves
- Laundry tongs or wooden spoon
- 2 large bleach-proof buckets
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
- Clothesline and pegs
Step 1
Make sure you can work in a well-ventilated area. If possible, carry out the bleaching process outdoors. This will also reduce the risk of collateral damage to your table, carpet, or floor.
Step 2
Fill one of your buckets with enough cool water to cover your jeans. There should be at least 1 gallon. You need to make sure your bucket is bleach-proof, as some buckets can be damaged by bleach. The last thing you need is bucket residue getting picked up by the fibers in your jeans.
Step 3
Add one cup of bleach to the water. Put on your rubber gloves and grab your laundry tongs. Stir the water. A wooden spoon will do the same job. The important thing is, don’t use your bare hands. Push your jeans into the bleach and water mix and make sure they are completely covered.
Step 4
Leave your jeans to soak for about 2 minutes. Swirl them around, being careful not to cause any splashes. After 5 minutes, remove the jeans from the water and drain the bucket. Use the laundry tongs to squeeze out as much water from the jeans as possible.
Step 5
In your second bucket, mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide will neutralize the bleaching action. Submerge your jeans into the solution and let it fizz. Keep moving the jeans in the bucket until the fizzing stops. Use your laundry tongs, not your hands. Rinse your jeans under cold running water.
Step 6
Wash your jeans as you would normally. You can use your regular detergent. Make sure your jeans are washed on their own. They will still contain bleach, so you don’t want any other garments in the washing machine with them. Set the machine to an extra rinse setting to ensure as much of the bleach is rinsed out as possible.
Step 7
Air dry your jeans outside on a clothesline. Not only will this help expel any remaining bleach smell, but it will also keep any residual bleach off your carpet.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the ingredients found in oxygen bleach. Unlike chlorine bleach, this type is safe to use on fabric. It’s nowhere near as caustic as chlorine bleach, but the bleaching effect will be much slower.
Once again, pay attention to the fiber content of your jeans. Some synthetic materials like elastane can react badly to hydrogen peroxide. It’s best to use a different method to treat stretch denim.
You will need:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Rubber gloves
- Laundry tongs
- Well ventilated area
- Large bucket
- Cool water
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
- Clothesline and pegs
Step 1
Make sure your working area has access to an opening window or door. Alternatively, work outside. Fill your bucket with enough water to submerge your jeans. Add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Push your jeans under the surface of the water with your laundry tongs. Make sure you wear rubber gloves.
Step 2
Leave your jeans to soak for about 10 – 15 minutes. If you want a lighter look, leave them for an extra 5 minutes. When you are happy with the level of lightening, take them out of the bucket.
Step 3
Wash your jeans as you would normally using your regular laundry detergent. When the cycle has completed, hang your jeans on an external clothesline to air dry.
6. Hot Water Wash
Denim jeans will lose color in the wash. It’s a sure thing and as reliable as a clock striking 12 twice a day. Black and dark blue jeans are particularly notorious for losing color.
The newer your jeans are, the more color will come out. It’s the nature of the fabric and the way it is dyed. This is why you should never wash new jeans with your best white shirt. That dye from your jeans will bleed and turn your shirt a splotchy blue. You can use this color loss tendency to your advantage.
There are a couple of things to consider first, though. Check the care label in your denim jeans before you start. Depending on the fiber content, some jeans may lose nearly all their color when washed the first time. Worse still, your jeans might shrink.
You will need:
- Washing Machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
- Clothesline and pegs
Step 1
Set your washing machine to the hottest setting your jeans can stand. Check the care label for the exact temperature. Add your usual laundry detergent and wash your jeans.
You can use cooler water if you want to, as hot water tends to shrink denim. Hotter water will fade your jeans to a lighter color faster, though. Make sure you only wash your jeans. Don’t be tempted to add any other garments to the machine.
Step 2
When the wash cycle has completed, remove your jeans from the machine. You should be able to see a distinct difference in color. Although this will be more obvious the darker, they were to start with.
Step 3
Air dry your jeans outdoors on a clothesline. The heat from the sun will help the lightening process. To prevent the possibility of your jeans shrinking, avoid using your dryer.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a handy substance to have in your kitchen. Not only does it work as a natural cleaner, but you can also use it to lighten your jeans.
It works a little slower than bleach but is much safer, not just for you, but for your surroundings too!
You will need:
- 2 quarts of bottled lemon juice
- Large bucket or sink
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
- Clothesline
Step 1
The first thing you need to do is get your jeans wet. You can either put them in a bucket of water or leave them to soak in your bathtub. Whichever method you use, make sure they are saturated.
Step 2
Squeeze out the excess water from your jeans and put them in your bucket. Next, pour your 2 bottles of lemon juice over top of them. Push the jeans into the lemon juice and stir them. You can use your hands for this as it’s lemon juice. However, if you suffer from skin irritation or eczema, use rubber gloves to be on the safe side.
Step 3
Leave your jeans to soak in the lemon juice for a few hours. Keep checking on them to see how much they have faded. When you are happy with the color, take your jeans out of the lemon bath. Give them a quick squeeze to remove some of the juice.
Step 4
Wash your jeans as you would normally with your usual laundry detergent. When the cycle has completed, hang your jeans on an external clothesline to dry. Don’t use your dryer as this might cause the jeans to shrink.
8. Sandpaper
Sandpaper is better known as a tool for smoothing down the rough fibers in wood. It works the same way on fabric too! Especially heavy cotton fabric known as denim.
There is a word of caution. Sandpaper is abrasive and will weaken the fibers in the fabric of your jeans. This isn’t a method you want to use if you want your jeans to last a long time.
Rubbing them with sandpaper can cause the fabric to deteriorate and lead to rips and tears, which is a great way to distress your jeans and lighten them.
You will need:
- Fine grain sandpaper
- Cardboard
- Washing machine
- Your usual laundry detergent
- Clothesline
Step 1
Lay your jeans flat on a level surface and decide which areas you want to lighten. Put the cardboard inside the jeans. It needs to be behind the area you are working on. So insert it into one of the legs if that is where you intend to start. This will stop the sandpaper from rubbing straight through to the back of the jeans.
Step 2
Rub the sandpaper over the jeans. Keep moving around the jeans until you have sanded them to your liking. Remember to keep moving the cardboard, so it stays under the area you are sanding. When you’ve finished with the front of your jeans, flip them over and do the back.
Step 3
Wash your jeans to remove any loose fuzzy bits of fiber. Your usual washing detergent is fine for this. Then air dry your jeans on an external clothesline.
9. Wearing Your Jeans
Jeans will naturally fade and get lighter over time. It’s one of their more attractive features. The more you wear them, the softer they become, and the more color they will lose.
Both through washing and just because you use them. The lived-in, well-worn look of aged denim is one of the endearing qualities of jeans.
Simply put them on and wear them out. Quite literally. Not only will this lighten your jeans, but you’ll also get a more natural faded look. One that has matured with time. They’ll probably become the most comfortable jeans you own too!
10. Buy Jeans in a Lighter Shade
One of the easiest ways to get lighter-colored jeans is to buy them that way. Jeans come in a whole host of different shades and colors.
While it might not be easy to get the exact shade you want, you can get pretty close. The lighter your jeans start out, the less you’ll need them to fade to suit you and your style.
Better still, if you start with a lighter shade of denim, you won’t have to spend so much time and energy removing dark dyes. You won’t have to risk damage to your jeans by washing them in hot water or adding bleach.
Going lighter to start with can save you some hard-earned cash. It’s a win-win, especially if your time is limited and you’re on a budget.
Can You Lighten Black Jeans?
Yes, you can lighten black jeans. There are a couple of methods you can use. The easiest is to allow them to fade naturally over time. This will give you the natural, lived-in look that is always on-trend with jeans.
Alternatively, you can lighten black jeans with either a bleach soak or a dip in lemon juice. The bleach will work quickly, but the lemon juice is less caustic and safer.
However, there is a caveat with both solutions. Black jeans are dyed slightly differently from blue jeans and you may find bleach is less effective at lightening them.
Lemon juice is also better suited to blue denim. Although you can use these two liquids to lighten black jeans, you may not get as good a result as you would if your jeans were blue.
Can I Darken Jeans I’ve lightened?
Yes, you can darken jeans you have lightened. Maybe you made a mistake and you prefer them a darker shade. Or they ended up too light. Whatever the reason, darkening your jeans is possible, but it might not be as easy as it sounds. They are unlikely to return to the exact shade you started with.
There is only one way to return your denim to a darker shade. You’ll need to dye them using a commercial dye suitable for the fabric content. In the case of denim, as it’s mostly cotton, you’ll need a dye suitable for cotton fabric.
Having said that, most denim contains synthetic fibers which can’t be dyed. The thread holding your jeans together is more than likely to be polyester. Whatever color you choose, the dye isn’t going to alter the thread color.
Because of this, you’ll need to choose a dye that matches the color of your thread or at least compliments it. In other words, you’ll need the threads to blend in with the new shade of your jeans, not stick out like a sore thumb.
Another thing to consider is your cotton denim may not be 100% cotton. If there is any lycra or polyester in your denim fabric, your dye may not cover it uniformly. Synthetic fibers are hard to dye and will not absorb any dye meant for natural fibers. Your jeans could end up blotchy.
It might be easier to live with your lightened jeans for a while. They may look glaring now, but that brightness will fade over time. You never know; the lighter look may grow on you.
Conclusion
Lightening the color of your jeans is a simple way to modernize your wardrobe. It’s a great way to embrace a more casual, laid-back style. Better still, it’s easy to do. You can use bleach for a quick result. Or try a more natural method like lemon juice or a salt soak.
You can even let your jeans lighten naturally over time. Simply by wearing and washing them. They’ll soften too. Making them your go-to outfit for relaxed evening beach parties or summer barbecues.
Have you tried to lighten your jeans? What method did you use? How did you get on? Let me know in the comments.