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How to Bleach Drop Cloth

Learn how to bleach drop cloth to make it perfectly soft and white. Bleaching drop cloth is an inexpensive way to make slipcovers for couches and wingback chairs. At about $2 per yard, bleached drop cloth is also the perfect home decor weight fabric for diy curtains.
Course Projects
Cuisine American
Keyword bleaching drop cloth, drop cloth, how to bleach drop cloth
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 1 9 by 12' Piece of Bleached Drop Cloth
Author Lisa Bass
Cost 5

Equipment

  • Washing machine

Ingredients

  • 9' by 12' foot canvas drop cloth
  • 1/2 gallon bleach

Instructions

  • Cut the 9′ by 12′ piece right down the center where the seam is.
  • Put one half of the drop cloth piece into the washer, put it on hot, and set it on the largest size load setting.
  • Let the washer fill completely before adding any bleach.
  • Once the washer is full, add about a third of the bottle.
  • Let it agitate a bit to stir all the bleach around.  
  • Pull the knob out and let it sit to soak for several hours.
  • Go over to the washer every few hours and let it agitate for a minute or so, and then let it sit some more.
  • Finish the cycle.
  • Throw the drop cloth into the dryer to make sure it is pre-shrunk and super soft.

Video

Notes

  • Don’t overfill the washer.
  • Use plenty of bleach.
  • Agitate periodically to get the bleach into all the creases, so it doesn’t come out splotchy.
  • Don’t rush it.  This should take several hours.
  • Although time is good, I have noticed things going a bit yellowy if I let it sit too long.  I think 6-8 hours is a good rule of thumb.