Bleach a matlasse coverlet ?

Susan
by Susan

I have a cream colored matlasse coverlet. I want it to be white. Can I bleach it? If so, how?


  13 answers
  • Patty Patty on Jun 20, 2020

    Is it 100% cotton? You will probably be able to lighten it, but not get it snow white. Remember, bleach weakens fibers so you will also be reducing the life of the coverlet. For me, I would just get a white coverlet.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jun 20, 2020

    Yes, polyester won’t bleach and rayon will be ruined with bleach.


  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 20, 2020

    Checking the label on your bedspread to discover the fabric content might be the first place to start before deciding to do anything. Synthetic fabrics tend to resist not dye or bleach.

  • Janice Janice on Jun 20, 2020

    Rit makes a color remover. It's in packages similar to their Rit Dye. You might try that but I doubt that such a large item will fare well in a regular sized home washing machine. I''ve dyed a large comforter and though the color took, because the comfoter took up so much space the dye was not consistent throughout the comforter once removed and dried. Disappointing! Best be careful or you may ruin your coverlet completely.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jun 20, 2020

    Yes, please read the fabric content of your coverlet, if this were my coverlet, I would use a hydrogen based bleach such as Oxyclean to lighten & brighten it. In all probability it will not go to white. If cotton, the fabric will be weakened by chlorine based bleach, Patty is right, this will shorten the life of your coverlet.

    You might consider putting it in direct sunlight, that will bleach it out, lay it out evenly on a flat clean surface. It will most likely take days to accomplish this. Still, I would not expect perfection. Best to you.

  • Em Em on Jun 20, 2020

    Oxyclean will not remove color.

    Depending on the material you can bleach. Look at the content on the tag to see what it is made of. If it is a cotton blend you should be able to remove color from it. Polyester and many man made materials will not bleach. Don't leave in bleach solution too long or you WILL weaken the threads. About 20 minutes should do it and make sure it is all covered equally or it will not bleach out evenly.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jun 20, 2020

    Oxyclean is the best tool

  • Maura White Maura White on Jun 20, 2020

    I would try a bleach pen in a conspicuous place and see if it actually turns it white and then you'll be able to tell.

  • Dee Dee on Jun 20, 2020

    Ritz dye makes a color remover. After you remove the color you can re-dye it white.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jun 20, 2020

    All good suggestions depending on the fiber content and size of the item. I would consider replacing it or making a duvet cover for it in the white you want. Good luck and stay safe!

  • You can try to follow these steps, but in my experience it will only work, as others have said, with cotton material. https://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Clothes-White

  • Beth Beth on Jun 21, 2020

    I would try leaving it out in the sun for a while. The sun can do wonders for bleaching old linens!

  • Susan Susan on Jun 21, 2020

    FYI I bleached it and it’s now white!!! It is 100% cotton. Thank you all for your helpful input!