5 Best Ways To Fade Black Jeans (Without Wrecking Them)

Black jeans are essential for nearly any ensemble, a staple in everyone’s closet. But a pair of faded black jeans is a specific color that emulates a rugged and worn style. Not to mention, they look super cool. It’s easy to drop another 50 bucks on a new pair of deliberately faded jeans, but why spend the cash when you’ve got the perfect pair to fade in your closet? Regardless, the question of what to do with them remains unanswered. So, how do I fade black jeans?

You can fade your black jeans using everyday household items. Lemon juice, bleach, sandpaper, salt, and even coffee are some of the best options for lightening your jeans safely and effectively.

On the contrary, you may be worried that employing any of these products will only cause damage and waste you a good pair of pants. While that thought is entirely rational, understanding the best ways to utilize each one will allow you to fade your jeans to your ultimate desire with ease.

To help you in your DIY journey, we’ll cover five super simple methods that will leave you with the faded black jeans of your dreams.

Last-Minute Advice

Before you go dumping bleach on your favorite pair of black jeans, it’s necessary to first decide on how light you’re hoping to go and set a realistic goal.

Denim will weaken as you apply any acidic product to it. So, if your jeans are jet black, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to get them to fade to a zombie’s skin tone without destroying them along the way.

Also, make sure that you won’t miss your black pants once you’ve already faded them because there truly is no going back on this one.

Now that we’ve discussed the important pre-fade considerations let’s jump into some effective tips for fading your jeans from the comfort of your own home.

1. Lemon Juice

If you’re looking to only lighten your jeans a shade or two, lemon juice is one of the best methods for naturally fading fabric without overdoing it. Not to mention, it doesn’t smell as strong as bleach.

Lemons have citric acid, a natural oxidizing agent that works to lighten when applied. And, when placed in the sun, the lifting process speeds up quite a bit.

How to Fade Black Jeans with Lemon Juice

Since lemon juice is a weaker solution, it’s essential to use a large amount to reach the correct concentration. In that case, you’ll need about a gallon of lemon juice.

For starters, soak your jeans in water. You’ll want them to be doused and dripping—not a single dry spot left. Then, thoroughly wring out any excess water.

Fill a bathtub or bucket with a few inches of concentrated lemon juice and submerge your (still wet) jeans in the solution. Ensure that the lemon juice can reach every inch of the pants—no pockets left behind.

The process will take a few hours depending on your desired shade, so check back every hour to see how they’re doing. Keep in mind that your jeans will look darker when wet, so take them out when they reach a few shades darker than the desired shade.

Last but not least, rinse them super well and let them dry in the sun. Give them at least a few hours outside to allow the lemon juice to do its thing. Then, you’re good to go!

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2. Bleach

Bleach can be a bit riskier when it comes to fading your black jeans. But, it can also be one of the best ways to get the “acid wash” look from the 80s or merely add some depth to specific areas with a sponge.

Regardless, it is super quick and effective when done right. If you’re going the bleach route, it’s crucial to pay some mind to a few things:

It may damage the fabric

You’ll need to be careful with your skin and eyes; make sure you wear gloves and safety goggles if possible.

Bleaching can cause jeans to come out blotchy if you’re not paying close attention since it takes effect so quickly.

How to Fade Black Jeans with Bleach

You’ll need a