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 soft and white in this tutorial

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

4.47 from 66 votes
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.
Cook: 6 hours
Total: 6 hours
Servings: 1 9 by 12' Piece of Bleached Drop Cloth

Video

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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.

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139 Comments

  1. Jade says:

    Hi Lisa,
    Please help! Ive over bleached mine a little and i can see a tinge of yellow as the result. Its not soo bad but its noticeable.

    How should I fix this? I don’t need it to be snowy white, just not yellow.
    Should i do the whole process again and if i do how long for this second time round? Do I need to add other chemicals in the process… pls help I cant seem to find an answer anywhere online!?!??

    Jade

  2. Amanda Morris says:

    I just placed my drop cloth in the washer about 45 mins ago. I bought the one from your link, and it’s already losing color. Right now it is a little darker than ivory! I almost want to take it out now, its so beautiful! Thank you so much for the tutorial! I will be reupholstering a settee, making napkins and backs for my pillow covers with it. so excited!!!

  3. Allison says:

    Hello,
    First want to say I love your website and videos. I was a blogger and it is so much work and kiddos for the amazing job you are doing. You are very personable and if we lived closer I would have to be your friend. You inspired me to bleach drop cloth. I had lots of problems, lol. I ended up getting Harbor Freight because I was able to get them for 11.99$ for 9×12 and currently amazon Chicago brand is 24$ each. I did research and the ones I got were 100% cotton. My washing machine failed me and refuses to hold water and with humidity it’s 100 outside, fumes were killing me and my kids. I tried someone’s idea of sanitizing in the machine but that failed me too. So as a last resort I stuck one whole in a plastic bin outside for many hours but just regular temp water and it works. Like 12-14 hours with half gallon bleach. I did try cutting one in half but it frayed like crazy when I washed it out. Had to cut loose, it was a hot mess. They are soft now and white so I am eager to make slip covers and other projects. Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Lisa Patterson says:

      Hey Allison,
      Did you just cut the frayed edge?
      Or did you put something on it?
      Mine did the same!!!! 😐

      Lisa Patterson

  4. Kristal says:

    What am I missing? I used the brand suggested, cut it in half, used 8 cups of bleach for 6 hours, finished the wash and then used 8 more cups for an additional 8 hours. It’s still not bright white! 😭

  5. Sladen says:

    Would these still have light-blocking characteristics? I want to hang these on my back porch to help with blocking sunlight.

  6. Aimee says:

    What brand of bleach do you use? I think that is the difference in getting it to work.

  7. Katelyn Kauffman says:

    Hi, does anyone have a problem with their dropcloth getting little balls after they bleached their cloth? I think it’s called pelling! Do I need to get
    a new cloth?

    1. Nancy says:

      Yes! I got the drop cloth from Harbor Freight and it also pelled. So disappointing! Not sure if it’s the brand? I was so excited to do the curtains.

  8. Debra says:

    What kind of top loader do you have? Most of the new ones do not hold water to soak for the required amount of time?

  9. Adrienne says:

    Has there ever been an issue after soaking it, then putting it in the washer the material is shredded? I liked the color I got it. Washed it took it out of the washer and noticed its ripped to the point of no repair..

    1. Lisa says:

      Oh no! That has never happened to me, but what a bummer!

  10. wilhelmina says:

    Wow! This is such a fabulous tip!