Bleaching

[PrincessSara]

A one-stop thread for all your bleaching needs.

What fabrics can be bleached? (ie. linen, cotton, silk)
What types?  (ie. velvet, satin, sateen, broadcloth, damask)
How do you bleach them?

When replying, please put the type of fabric you are giving the info on in bold to make it easier for people to find what they want.

[DonaCatalina]

You probably should as the mods to make this a sticky.
But Lordy, never bleach Silk! Bleach eats protein which is exactly what silk is.

[Kate XXXXXX]

Nor wool and wool mixes.  They too are protein based - since wool is hair!

Don't use chlorine bleach on any fabric.  It's far to harsh.

[Anna Iram]

Hydrogen pyroxide is safe (I believe!) for silks and wool. I recall seeing a concoction to bleach white wool using hydrogen pyroxide and several other ingrediants. I'd be very careful with and ask lot's of questions with the company selling the products before using this.

http://www.prochemical.com/directions/BleachingWool.htm



Hydrogen pyroxide in easily usable form can be found in the bleach isle at Publics. It's already diluted and in a bleach type bottle. Same basically as Oxyal, but that is powdered.

[DonaCatalina]

Hydrogen pyroxide is safe (I believe!) for silks and wool. I recall seeing a concoction to bleach white wool using hydrogen pyroxide and several other ingrediants. I'd be very careful with and ask lot's of questions with the company selling the products before using this.

http://www.prochemical.com/directions/BleachingWool.htm



Hydrogen pyroxide in easily usable form can be found in the bleach isle at Publics. It's already diluted and in a bleach type bottle. Same basically as Oxyal, but that is powdered.

I vaguely remember someone saying you should use a cream of tartar solution for white wool. Anyone else heard that?

[Silverbee]

I vaguely remember someone saying you should use a cream of tartar solution for white wool. Anyone else heard that?

And after that you can have fish sticks! 

I know, I know - it's not the same.  I'll show myself the door...