I often find some basic leather pieces in thrift stores at really good prices, but they could use a little something to make them more unique, so I set to trying different ways to do so, and one of those methods was bleaching leather.
In this article I’m going to share some information on bleach and leather as well as the process for trying it yourself.
Later this month I’ll be showing you how I then painted the leather that I had bleached to create a really unique garment!
Can You Bleach Leather?
Yes, you can bleach leather, but one important detail to note here is that you need to use a specific type of bleach to do so. It would be best if you refrained from using everyday bleach-based products or those that contain ammonia.
This is because using these types of bleaching chemicals will thoroughly degrade the quality of the leather and leave it in a damaged state.
When bleaching leather, you should only use oxalic acid. It is a naturally occurring chemical that is found in fruits and vegetables and is by far the safest option to use on leather. In addition, oxalic acid will make the leather lighter without damaging the structure of the material.
I love and have used Angelus Preparer and Deglazer.
Oxalic acid should only affect the color of the leather; unlike bleach-based products, it won’t adversely affect the natural finish and material. However, you should also keep in mind that the results of bleaching leather will vary depending on the type of leather you’re using and the color.
You may notice that some leather will lighten with the first application of oxalic acid, while others will take two or more to see any visible changes. To be safe, try applying a small amount of oxalic acid to the leather to observe how the fabric will react – a bit like a patch test.
Can I Remove The Color From The Leather With Bleach?
Yes, you can. But as stated earlier, the results will vary depending on certain factors, such as how specific leather materials react when they come into contact with oxalic acid. So again, you mustn’t use beach-based products such as chlorine or ammonia.
Also, keep in mind that lightening the color of the leather is a delicate process that requires exact measurements for both oxalic acid and water. Therefore, always fully follow the instructions to avoid damaging your leather fabric’s aesthetic.
Is It Safe To Use Household Bleach On My Leather Clothing?
No. Only a specific type of bleach should be used on leather: oxalic acid. Anything else, you are just asking for trouble, as that is a one-way ticket to leather ruination. Oxalic acid can lighten up and clean leather.
If you use oxalic acid on darker-toned leather, you can expect to remove a couple of shades after a wash. Oxalic acid is strong enough to strip away the top layer and lighten the natural dyes without breaking down the leather fibers.
Using household bleach that contains chlorine and ammonia will not only lighten the color of the leather, but it will also significantly damage the material and severely erode its durability. So, unless you have oxalic acid bleach at home, hold off on using it on your leather clothes and accessories.
How Do You Bleach Leather?
The first order of business if you wish to bleach leather is having oxalic acid on hand. That is the only type of bleaching solution that is recommended for leather. Anything else will irreversibly damage the integrity of your leather material.
As mentioned above I use Angelus Preparer and Deglazer which is a ready prepared solution. Once you have yours ready, we can begin the delicate process of bleaching leather.
On a side note: hydrogen peroxide can also be an alternative if you wish to bleach leather. However, hydrogen peroxide results are considerably more random, so use this at your own risk.
Step 1: Prepare The Solution
If you’re not using a ready prepared solution like me, then the recommended mixture is one-part oxalic acid and three to four parts warm or hot water. This will dilute the naturally-occurring bleaching substance enough not to be too harsh on the leather. Mix the concoction well.
Step 2: Wipe The Solution
Let the mixture cool off before starting. Then, use a clean and soft cloth to apply the oxalic acid solution on the surface of the leather. Wipe the solution gently and try not to put too much pressure. Just use a thin coating of the solution thoroughly on the leather’s surface.
Step 3: Let The Solution Dry
Wait for at least 10 minutes and check if the oxalic acid solution has dried. Now, observe how much the color of the leather has lightened up. Does it meet your desired result? Great! You’re done with the process.
However, if the shade has only slightly lightened, you can apply another coating of the solution and wait another 10 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing Up
Once satisfied with the results, you can apply the leather dye. This is optional but recommended. You can choose dip-style or brush-on leather dyes, which you can purchase at your local supermarket.
I have a selection of Angelus Acrylic Leather Paints which I’ll be applying. I’ve added a small photo below for you to get an idea of how these look.
Other Things To Consider When Bleaching Leather
Bleaching leather is not for the faint hearted. It takes time and you’re unlikely to ever get a fully lightened look to the leather you are trying to bleach.
That said, here are some other things to consider if you’re intending to give it a go yourself.
Do Not Bleach Faux Leather
Faux leather does not have the properties of genuine leather, and using oxalic acid on it will be detrimental to the fabric. If you mistakenly bleach faux leather, you will get disastrous results as its synthetic fibers can not handle the chemical’s effects. Bleaching faux leather will leave it severely damaged and will most likely be out of commission sooner rather than later.
Do Not Soak The Leather Too Long In Bleach
One of the worst mistakes you can make is allowing the bleach to sit too long on your leather. Darker colored leather won’t have too much issue with this, but lighter shade versions will. Specifically, lighter shade and white leather might suffer from visible yellowish stains if you let the bleach sit too long on its surface.
If you are bleaching white leather, keep an eye on it at all times. The moment you see some form of discoloration consider this an alert that you should wipe off the solution as fast as possible. To further prevent the risk of discoloration, I highly suggest diluting oxalic acid in five to six parts of water.
My Results
I thought I should share the final results of some experiments I did to show you how bleaching leather – and suede – comes out.
Using Household Bleach
You can see from the image below that using household bleach has
Using Angelus Preparer and Deglazer
This is what my leather looks like after applying some of the Angelus Preparer and Deglazer