What will happen when you bleach a black, polyester dress with the intentions of making it lose color?

Question

I am a hardcore improve actor and am playing the role of a ghost of a high society woman who was murdered. I've taken an old polyester black dress of mine and am thinking on bleaching it to get a turn-out of decay or even make the dress different shades of white and gray. The bleach has chlorine in it and I was wondering if anyone would know what kind of result I might get.

Answer 1

If it is all black it will turn an almost pinkish/rusty/brick red color when touched by the bleach.

If you let it soak in the bleach it may still turn that color or lighten up eventually. One would assume that it would turn shades of grey but that is not the case.

I have only gotten bleach on cotton clothes so I'm not sure if the fabric has any color changing effect different from that of cotton.

Worst comes to worst when you try to bleach it and its a color you don't like throw some dye on it.

I figure the uglier the suit the better the outfit really, like you are all decrepit. Watch the clothes when you are striping the color with the bleach. The bleach may eat through the fabric and cause holes and make it really thin and easy to tear.

Answer 2

The companies that make fabric dyes also make a product called color remover. It is not chlorine-based and is designed to take out pigments. Look for that in fabric stores or craft places. Check its directions to see if it will be better for your needs.

Answer 3

im guessing it will turn a rust color...all my black clothing i have bleached turned to an ugly rust color anyway lol

Answer 4

It will probably turn a grayish purple looking color.

Answer 5

it will bleach it in spots/i don't think you will get the effect your looking for.

Answer 6

go to wal-mart & get some Rit Dye instead :)

Answer 7

it will loof awful, but that might work for your role.

Answer 8

you will get a mess