Raw Denim Bleed.... Question

Get Smart · Apr 4, 2005

all of my jeans are nondistressed dark indigo (usually raw denim types) and i wear them with turnups but they still tend to bleed onto my shoes throughtout the day's wear (and i'm mostly sitting). this doesnt matter if i am wearing dark leather shoes or dark trainers, but white trainers inevitably get that blue stain around the ankles and back heel area from the denim. the stain is not easily removed (altho i just found a tea tree oil furniture cleaner that seems to work fairly well).

any thoughts on preventing the indigo stain or getting stain removed from white trainers?

Brian SD · Apr 4, 2005

You can try putting tape on the inside leg where (hopefully) no one will see it. Duct tape would hurt the denim, so maybe masking tape would be a good solution. I don't wear white shoes so I've never had this problem, but I imagine I would just opt to not wear white shoes with jeans that haven't been washed at least a few times. It seems unavoidable unfortunately.

Get Smart · Apr 4, 2005

even a pair of Diesels i wear quite often (and have been washed many many times) bleeds. actually, i think these are the worst offenders, as if the washing activated the indigo to bleed even more. for the most part i dry clean my jeans to preserve the deep indigo color.

i have a pair of white pointed toe leather winklepicker style shoes that would look great with dark denim but i dont want to ruin them by getting indigo stain on em, which is a bummer since i really want to wear them with jeans.

this is a new problem for me since i havent worn white shoes since i was in high school, but the last couple years i've been finding some cool white trainers worth buying.

HitMan009 · Apr 4, 2005

Is there any way to lock in the indigo? It was mentioned before that soaking dress shirts in a vinegar solution would lock in the color. Does this mention work for jeans as well?

Brian SD · Apr 4, 2005

Hitman, I am not sure about any sort of permanent locking, but soaking jeans in vinegar (or simply adding vinegar to the wash) is a known method of keeping jeans darker.

Sevcom · Apr 4, 2005

My PDC resin-prep SLMs bled onto my white Nikes--mostly from rain, snow, what have you--but I think they've stopped. In any case, I don't particularly care because I don't like bright white sneaks.

The vinegar method seems like your best bet.

retronotmetro · Apr 4, 2005

Is there any way to lock in the indigo? Â It was mentioned before that soaking dress shirts in a vinegar solution would lock in the color. Â Does this mention work for jeans as well?

The vinegar treatment will not prevent bleeding. Â

The vinegar bath technique is what you do with new, unwashed items that are dyed with natural indigo. Â Indigo isn't soluble in water, so the idea is to put the clothing in a mild acidic solution that will dissolve any stray indigo pigment that hasn't been absorbed, then allow the clothing to soak in that solution to pick up any last bits of indigo. Â I don't think it does much, since any indigo sitting on the surface of the product was not absorbed during the manufacturer's dye process, and why would we believe that household vinegar and water is any more effective than the solutions that the manufacturer used? Â Especially when the fabric is billed (and priced) as "premium" denim dyed with natural indigo.

Sevcom · Apr 4, 2005

Interesting. I'm an idiot when it comes to anything chemical-related, so good to know how the process works.

stache · Apr 5, 2005

Heavy duty steam helps to set dye. You could try holding the hem area over a teakettle for a few minutes and then hot pressing the area dry. Boring but it might work.

Geowu · Apr 5, 2005

You could, alternatively, use a hair-dryer (is that the right word in english?) since I believe the effect would be similar.

BTW I never tried it, and not sure if it works.

JohnMC · Apr 17, 2005

A rubber eraser will take the blue stains off leather.

Nick M · Apr 17, 2005

When I buy a pair of light-colored leather or suede sneakers, step 1 is about a dozen coats of that leather/suede/fabric stain protector spray.

Keeps most of the indigo off 'em, and it's easy to remove any stray blue dye with a washcloth and either spit or warm water.

Get Smart · Apr 28, 2005

A rubber eraser will take the blue stains off leather.

goddamn that actually worked. thanks for the tip

sygyzy · Feb 27, 2007

Sorry to resurrect this but my line dry Fultons have bled onto my MHI jacket. Any tips on removing the blue hue?

denimdestroyedmylife · Feb 27, 2007

wash?

i find that whenever indigo transfers to another garment, a wash will get it right out.

Raw Denim Bleed.... Question

Don't Crink

Moderator

Don't Crink

Senior Member

Moderator

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Member

Distinguished Member

Don't Crink

Distinguished Member

Big Winner

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: