There is never a wrong age to wear jeans, regardless of color. Any outfit can look trendy when black jeans are paired with it. However, a pair of black jeans that have been faded and have interesting designs look really cool. Even though you can purchase any type of faded jeans, why spend money when you can do it yourself perfectly?
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What Causes Black Jeans To Fade?
Blue denim fades more quickly than black denim, which does not. This is so that black jeans can be produced using a different type of dye that penetrates the white cotton threads. Typically, to fade black jeans, some of the black dye must be physically removed, leaving a grey hue behind.
Your jeans’ construction may affect how easily the black dye comes out in the wash. Black denim doesn’t have the cool white-thread contrast that is present in a raw denim fade, so that is how they differ from one another. You get grey denim as an alternative!
You can choose whether or not to use one of the eight simple fading techniques described here once you know what type of denim and pretreatment your jeans contain.
1. Lemon Juice
One of the best ways to naturally fade fabric without going overboard is with lemon juice if you only want to lighten your jeans by one or two shades. Furthermore, the smell is not as overpowering as bleach’s.
Citric acid, found in lemons, is a natural oxidizer that helps lighten skin when applied. Additionally, the lifting process quickens considerably when exposed to the sun.
It takes a lot of lemon juice to get the right concentration because it’s a weaker solution. You’ll need about a gallon of lemon juice in that situation.
First, soak your jeans in water. You want them to be completely saturated and dripping with no dry spots remaining. After that, completely wring out any extra water.
Your (still-wet) jeans should be submerged in a tub or bucket that has been filled with a few inches of concentrated lemon juice. No pockets should be untouched. Ensure that the lemon juice covers every square inch of the pants.
Check in to see how they’re doing every hour as the process could take a few hours, depending on the shade you want. Remember that your jeans will appear darker when wet, so remove them as soon as they turn a few shades darker than the desired shade.
Last but not least, give them a thorough rinse before letting them dry in the sun. Give them at least a few hours outside to let the lemon juice work its magic. You can now proceed.
2. Bleach
It can be a little riskier to use bleach to fade your black jeans. But it can also be a great way to achieve the “acid wash” look from the 1980s or simply add some depth with a sponge to certain areas.
In any case, when done correctly, it is incredibly quick and efficient. It’s important to consider a few things if you decide to use bleach:
It may damage the fabric
Make sure to wear gloves and safety goggles if you can; you’ll need to take extra care with your skin and eyes.
Due to how quickly it takes effect, bleaching can result in blotchy jeans if you’re not careful.
To sand your jeans, you will need sandpaper with an 180 grit rating. A pumice stone will work in its place if you don’t have access to sandpaper.
Create a workspace. Laying your jeans out to sand is typically a good idea.
Take your sandpaper and start to rub it back and forth on the fabric in the areas you want to fade, making sure to apply even pressure. Be careful not to rub too vigorously as you could easily sand right through the jeans. Repeat this process for any other sections you want to fade.
After sanding them to the desired finish, give them a wash and put those nasty boys on. You are prepared to leave.
3. Vinegar
Dark jeans can be faded using vinegar, an eco-friendly acidic substance. You have two options for fading your black jeans when using this natural cleaner. One method is to put vinegar and detergent in your washing machine, and another is to soak your jeans in a vinegar and water solution overnight.
4. Salt
It may sound strange, but this method works. But I assure you that it does. The right amount of abrasiveness in table salt allows it to fade even the darkest jeans without causing any harm. Since it won’t completely change the color of your jeans, this method works best if all you want to do is slightly fade them. However, it’s a secure and gentle trick to only very slightly and subtly lighten your jeans.
Any salt will work for this method; even table salt is fine.
The first step is to add two cups of salt to a bathtub or bucket of cold water. Make sure your jeans are completely submerged in the mixture before dropping them in.
For 30 to 60 minutes, let your jeans soak in the saltwater bath, stirring them now and then to keep the fabric even.
Once the desired fade is achieved, which will also be a few shades darker while wet, take off the jeans and thoroughly wring out the water. Allow them to dry in the sun. You’re going to find the ideal pair of faded jeans when you return.
5. Coffee
The beverage that makes you get out of bed has additional benefits, as you might not realize. Black jeans can be easily and quickly faded thanks to the coffee beans’ naturally occurring acidity. The aroma alone is unbeatable.
Green coffee beans, also referred to as unroasted coffee beans, are what you’ll need to get the best results. Roasted beans will also work as a substitute if you don’t have access to those.
Put your jeans on a flat surface and grab a handful of coffee beans. Rub them on your jeans’ knees, pockets, etc., or wherever else you want the color to fade.
When the fading is to your liking, boil some water and rinse your jeans in it. Then wash them with detergent and fabric softener, followed by a standard drying process. You’re now prepared to rock and roll, which is good news.
6. Sandpaper
To fade the jeans, you’ll need low grit sandpaper, though you can use higher grit if necessary. Get a 180 grit sandpaper for accuracy’s sake. Place your jeans on a flat surface and gradually go back and forth with the sandpaper over the area you want to fade. Once you’ve achieved the desired appearance, wash the jeans to get rid of extra dye.
7. Pumice Stone
Sandpaper and pumice stone both have the same effects. Simply hold the stone in your hand and rub the desired area. If you want to remove the dye more easily, try soaking the jeans for an hour before rubbing to fade the color. However, it can also weaken the jean fiber, so apply light pressure when rubbing to prevent fabric damage.
Final Words
It’s simple to learn how to fade black jeans. However, you should exercise extreme caution when using chemicals to fade your jeans because they can be dangerous if consumed or inhaled through their vapor. Additionally, use caution when using sandpaper or pumice stones to avoid damaging the fabric or causing skin irritation.
