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Salvaging Denim Skirts or Jeans

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This week's frugal tip is one I've been relying on for years, whenever I happen to get a little bleach on my denim skirts or even when I'm repairing a small hole in jeans. 

I seem to have the most difficult time not getting bleach on my clothes. I very rarely use bleach (like, once a month or less frequently) but somehow I manage to get little bits on my clothes whenever I do.

I also sometimes have small holes or tears in my denim skirts or in jeans, and I sew them up with a dark (of course) thread. But often times, the fabric is almost white "inside" where it has frayed, and the repaired rip is easy to spot. (This happens to my skirts that have slits in the backs, if they rip and I mend them.)

So, my solution is: a dark blue permanent marker. (Or black for black jeans.) Just color in the little white drop of bleach to match the rest of your denim! Or, color the frayed white threads that are left sticking out after you've mended the tear.

Okay, so maybe everyone already knows about this... I've been doing it for years and have salvaged some nice skirts and been able to put them back in the suitable-for-public-appearance pile! :)

Originally published in October 2006.

Check out Jessica's blog for more frugal tips and ideas! :)

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Comments

Submitted by Ashleigh B on Thu, 2006-10-19 23:41.

Me too! :)

I seem to have such a problem with bleach, too. I hardly ever use it, and if I do, I usually wear an large apron, and even still, I end up with bleach spots. I've used this technique on a few skirts as well as a sweater I just wasn't ready to toss yet. :)

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2009-04-25 06:59.

Bleach stains

I gave up using bleach altogether as I had so many accidents involving bleach, it was ridiculous. So now I use a stain remover if it's really necessary. And the surprising thing is I don't miss bleach and my clothes done in a cold water wash are just as clean, I think. Bleach I still use for cleaning hard to remove stains in the bathroom or kitchen but a jug lasts forever around my house now.Probably not great news for the bleach industry but it has improved the quality of my life without staining it!

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2006-10-20 06:59.

I do this too...and it's great for shoes too!

I love this tip...we also keep a black Sharpie marker
just for scuffs on black shoes! Works everytime!
Blessings!
Tracy
http://www.LinesFromTheVine.com

Submitted by Jaclynn on Fri, 2006-10-20 12:00.
Jaclynn's picture

Wow, I would have never

Wow, I would have never thought of this. Great idea!

Submitted by amyd on Fri, 2006-10-20 20:52.
amyd's picture

And I though I was the genius. . .

I use embroidery floss to mend my denim skirts, just a shade that matches the denim then color the white threads with a marker or pen.

I also use the black sharpie on shoes. My dd's school shoes last year scuffed horribly. (Never try to shop for black mary janes in April, you have to take what you can get. . .) A black Sharpie was a lifesaver!!

Submitted by Jules on Sat, 2009-04-25 09:13.

Try

Vaseline! Vaseline is great on scuffed shoes.

Submitted by johnjean1983 on Fri, 2009-04-24 06:43.

bleach on shirts

I have ruined so many shirts with bleach. For some reason bleach never seems to hit my jeans which are easy to fix, as you say with a marker, its the shirts I can't always figure out a way to fix! I have bleached entire shirts to try to remedy the situation which has helped sometimes. I made a couple fun t-shirts for summer. Still not shirts I would probably wear out in public though, but fun to wear around the house in the summer doing housework.

Jean

Submitted by PrudentWife on Fri, 2009-04-24 11:58.

I use markers on clothes and

I use markers on clothes and shoes all the time.

I am 28 and have just recently started using bleach neatly. In the past, no matter how small the amount of bleach was that I was using, I'd get it on my clothes.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2009-04-24 12:02.

Iron On patches

You can buy inexpensive iron-on patches such as "happy smiles" or "hearts". This may not look right for premium denim jeans but will work with most everday casual jeans.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2009-04-24 13:41.

This is a great tip. Thanks!

This is a great tip. Thanks!

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2009-04-24 16:06.

Bleach spots that aren't from bleach!

My mom (who doesn't really use bleach) continued to have "bleach" spots on her shirts. We **think** we have finally figured out that it is automatic dishwasher detergent doing the deed. I, like some of you have said, am SUPER careful when I use bleach, but hadn't thought to be overly careful with other things. (I am now!)

Submitted by Jules on Sat, 2009-04-25 09:14.

Also

Toilet bowl cleaners, or any bleach containing cleaner.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2009-04-26 01:14.

fabric softner spots?

Sometimes fabric softner can leave spots on clothes. You can avoid this by adding the fabric softner before adding the clothes.

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2009-04-26 18:45.

Faded Jean Skirts

Thank-you for that tip! I was wondering if you have ever dealt with faded blue jean skirts. I heard that you can dye them blue again. Have you ever heard of/tried this?
Just wondering!
God Bless.
Kelsey

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2009-04-29 21:00.

I also rarely use bleach, so

I also rarely use bleach, so when I do (once every other month or so), I change into old painting/hair dying/bleaching clothes, then change back when I'm done. It just adds a couple extra minutes to whatever task I'm doing.

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