Learn how to bleach drop cloth to make it perfectly soft and white for DIY projects.
Learn how to bleach drop cloth to make it perfectly soft and white.
UPDATE MUST READ: I have heard from several readers that the brand of drop cloth you buy makes all the difference. I did not know this, since I have only ever used this brand from Amazon. Other brands turns gray and off white.
UPDATE PART TWO: Thanks to Lori, a lovely reader of my blog, I now know why some other brands won’t turn white. The drop cloths I recommend from Amazon are 100% cotton, so bleachable. Some brands are made with 50% polyester, so unbleachable. I knew people were having trouble with other brands, but now I actually know why!
UPDATE PART THREE: It was brought to my attention by a reader that you should not use this large amount of bleach if you have a septic system.
Why I love drop cloth
You don’t have to hang around the Pinterest DIY scene for very long to find out that drop cloth is a star player in the upholstery, slipcover, curtain and pillow making game.
I have used a lot of drop cloth in our farmhouse and for good reason. It is durable, high quality and, best of all, super cheap.
I did the math once and it works out to about $2.50 a yard. Can’t beat it.
But how does drop cloth go from the rough and coarse tan fabric you find in the paint section at Lowe’s to the soft white beauty you see gracing wing back chairs and farmhouse pillows?
It’s quite simple really.
It all comes down to a whole lot of bleach and little bit of technique.
When you know hot bleach drop cloth, the possibilities are endless.
Video Tips and Tutorial
I start with this drop cloth from amazon. It is the 6-7 oz weight in 9′ by 11′ size.
I buy it in bulk, because I use it (unbleached) for the backs on my farmhouse pillows.
It comes out of the package feeling pretty coarse and looking very tan.
I need it to be bright white, so I can bleach all the slipcovers, when my messy bunch of kiddos put their dirty feet all over the couch. ahem.
The Process
When it comes to bleaching drop cloths there are two methods.
Method 1: Washer method
So, the first thing I do is cut the 9′ by 12′ piece right down the center where the seam is.
I wouldn’t be able to use the middle part where the seam is anyway, and if I shoved the whole thing in the washer, it would be overcrowded.
An overcrowded washer leaves the drop cloth splotchy, which is no bueno.
I put one half of the drop cloth piece into the washer, put it on hot, and set it on the largest size load setting.
I let the washer fill completely before adding any bleach.
Once the washer is full, I add a whoooooole lot of bleach, like about a third of the bottle.
At this point I open all the windows of the house and even the back door all the way. I don’t like to fill my house with all those bleach fumes.
I let it agitate a bit to stir all the bleach around. Then, I pull the knob out and let it sit to soak for several hours.
I go over to the washer every few hours and let it agitate for a minute or so, and then let it sit some more.
The main keys here are:
1. Don’t overfill the washer.
2. Use plenty of bleach
3. Agitate periodically to get the bleach into all the creases, so it doesn’t come out splotchy.
4. Don’t rush it. This should take several hours.
5. 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.
After I have done all this, I pull the knob out and let it finish the cycle.
I throw the drop cloth into the dryer to make sure it is pre-shrunk and super soft.
No top loader?
Now, some of you have probably given up your white drop cloth dreams because you don’t have a top load washing machine.
Not so fast, my friends.
Read on, for there is still hope for you!
I too used to have a front loading washer and a deep desire for white drop cloths.
Method 2: The bathtub method
You basically follow the exact same method as above, with a few differences.
1. Instead of agitating the washer periodically, get yourself a big stick, or something to stir with. You still need to make sure every nook and cranny of that drop cloth has access to the bleach.
2. When you feel your drop cloth is white enough, drain the tub and squeeze out any excess water. Bring it over to your washer and run it through an entire wash cycle on hot.
If you take it out and notice there are splotches, just repeat the process.
Sometimes it takes a few tries to get all the splotches out and get it perfectly white, but enough bleach and time will do the trick every time!
Disclaimer
Double check that the finish on your tub is safe to interact with bleach. If your tub isn’t bleach safe, try to acquire a stainless steal tub, or find a friend who has a top loader you can use.
Woohoo! Now you are ready to make slipcovers for just about anything in your house.
Our couches are super ugly! They are green, ripped and old. They cost $80 for the pair. True story. But can you tell?
I wrote about my drop cloth bench makeover in this post. I found it for $20 on a buy, sell, trade site.
So, at this point, we are talking $100 for all the furniture in our living room.
Oh the glory of humble painter’s drop cloth!
I made the pillow insert for the IKEA tea towel pillows with bleached drop cloth.
This stuff is seriously so versatile!
So, if you want to redecorate your home on the cheap, get your hands on some drop cloth and a couple bottles of bleach!
Pin it for later:
Post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.
How to Bleach Drop Cloth
Video
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.
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.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is it hard to sew with the thickness of the cloth?
No, not at all. It is actually a perfect thickness for sewing. Some fabrics are too thin, and slippery. Not so much with drop cloth. 🙂
Sadly this did not work for me at all. After soaking for at least 7 hours, maybe 8, the color did not change one bit. Maybe I did not use enough bleach, but not one bit? I don’t think it would have mattered if I had used more. But worse, when I took it out of the dryer, it was weirdly puckered in random areas and just generally dingy and gross looking. Super disappointed 🙁
I am so sorry this didn’t work out for you! With enough bleach and time it will eventually turn. It just takes way more of both than you would think. Try using half a gallon of bleach. I know it sounds crazy, but that is really how much you need. The drop cloth really has to be coaxed along to change color. 🙂 You can still keep trying with the same piece of fabric, even after you have dried it. Again, so sorry it didn’t work out for you!
Are your drop cloths 100% cotton , others don’t think bleach as well .
I am not sure, but the ones I linked definitely bleach nicely. 🙂 . They are all I have ever used!
I purchased the dropcloth form the link you have. Mine did not have any seam so I just cut in half. Sorry to say that many hours and half a gallon of bleach later …. nothing changed. HELP!
I had the same experience. I am now on my fourth attempt at bleaching the same cloth. It is still a creamy white.
I tried this, and mine came out off white which bummed me out. Still better than what my couch was but not the bright white I was hoping for. Any advice?
Aww I am so sorry to hear that! How big is your washer? Was there plenty of room for the bleach to move around with the fabric? Also, did you cut the fabric in half. How long did you let it soak and did you repeat? It can definitely come out off white at first, but it will eventually turn if it is given enough time and bleach. At least in my experience!
They probably didn’t come out white because they have polyester in them. The Everbuilt ones at Home Depot use to be 100% cotton but not anymore. Amazon sells several different brands of 100% cotton drop cloths.
I just bought these exact dropclothes, but i was wondering, since they have brown stitching at seams, do those bleach white too?
No, the brown unfortunately doesn’t bleach white.
I just bought through the Amazon link. Im in Canada. I bought tge same size you suggest and mine did not have z seam down the middle and the sides had nice off white stitching! (June 2021). Unfortunately my bathtub bleaching was splotchey. You Really have to get it in there! I’m not discouraged. Ill try again. Im making curtains. I sewed the hems where I cut down the middle and they bleached fine. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much for the info, especially the bathtub trick! I have wanted to try bleaching a drop cloth, but I have a front loading washer. I had thought about using a heavy duty container outside but I wasn’t sure how long to soak the cloth for. I’ll have to try this. Thank you!
That is so awesome! I am so glad it worked out that way. I would be a little worried that, since it is already sewn together, the bleach wouldn’t be able to get into all the seams, and it may turn out splotchy. It may work out, but it’s a bit risky.
Would love to know if this works!! I have the same slipcover for an armchair and was thinking of doing the exact same thing. Debbie – please let me know if this works for you!!
Thank you Lisa. I’m new here and enjoying every minute of it.
Thank you so much! I hope you stop by often!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post, Lisa! I had been wondering where you got the slipcovers for your couches, since I’m planning to make a few myself! 🙂 Everything you do is gorgeous!
Thank you so much!!!
Love love love this tip! I have some drop cloth curtains I made several years ago, and decided to take them down and use them for actual dropcloths as we are painting our way through our entire house. Now I’m excited to give this a try even though some of them have paint spots, because surely I can salvage most of the cloth for pillows, small upholstery jobs, runners etc. Thanks so much for posting such clear directions. I would have never thought of using that much bleach, but hey, it’s a drop cloth, right? Nothing ventured, nothing gained! In the meantime my washer will get a good cleaning.
Sharon Warren
Ooh yes I would say you could salvage it to make some amazing goodies! I love drop cloth 🙂
If you have not dried the cloth with the paint use hand sanitizer to remove it with a old tooth brush just rub it in and wash
Canvas has been one if my favorite fabrics for years. I use it for outdoor table clothes. If something spills throw them in the wash.
Yes! Agreed!!