How to Make Fade Marks On Your Jeans

Some consumers are confused when pre-faded, distressed jeans cost more than pristine garments. The extra cost reflects the time, labor and supplies required to artificially fade denim. A new pair of blue jeans will eventually fade after years of wear or heavy use, but you can fade a new pair immediately with common household supplies.

Instructions

1

Place your jeans on a laundry machine lid or another flat, smooth surface. As a reference, place an already-faded pair of jeans next to them so you can see where fading naturally occurs on jeans.

2

Fill the pant legs with plastic bags to prevent bleach from seeping through to the back.

3

Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from bleach.

4

Soak a sponge in a 25/75 solution of bleach and water and squeeze it to wring out excess water.

5

Rub the jeans with the sponge wherever you want fading. Rub again where you want additional fading -- typically, the thighs, knees and rear have the most fading.

6

Rub the jean hemlines, knees and pockets with a piece of sandpaper or pumice stone dipped in the bleach solution. Naturally faded jeans are typically distressed in these areas.

7

Wash the jeans in the washing machine by themselves, using the cold water cycle. Hang them up to dry. Repeat the bleach treatment if desired.

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