Bleach Art DIY Napkins
Can’t find the fabric napkins you are looking for?
Then make your own bleach art napkins to match any decor!
I want to encourage you to take the time to break out the special linens and dishes not just on special occasions.
It’s so nice to sit on a nicely set table with fabric napkins, instead of paper plates and paper napkins.
An added bonus of decorating your own napkins: cotton napkins you can wash are much better for the environment!
If you put your own stamp on an otherwise plain cotton napkin you’ll want to use them every day.
I decorated a set of napkins with bleach art, and I could see how this could get addicting.
The result is instant, and you get to make something unique and one-of-a-kind.
I’m usually not crazy about bleach and don’t use it for our laundry, but a little bit of it came in handy to make these bleach art napkins.
DIY Bleach Art Napkin Supplies
- cotton napkins in your choice of color
- bleach
- glass container
- pencil
- toothpick
- plastic gloves
You can obviously create any design you want, and a matching table cloth.
One-of-a-kind napkins would also make a wonderful gift!
This is a really easy DIY project. The pictures show you how to make the bleach art napkins, but here is the whole tutorial:
Bleach Art Napkins Tutorial
First a word of caution: don’t attempt to make bleach art with the kids around, or when you are rushing.
Make sure to wear old clothes that can get stained, just in case, and wear protective gloves.
Also protect the table you are using to make the bleach art. Ideally, make this project outside, but definitely in a well-ventilated room.
- Pour the bleach in the glass containers.
- Take a pencil and dip the eraser into the bleach, and then start making your design by putting drops of bleach on the napkin. I wanted to make little flowers, but you could make fireworks or all kinds of designs.
- Instead of just using the pencil, you can also make a thinner design with a toothpick. You might not see much of a change at first, but after a few minutes you will see the color of the napkin fade.
- If there is excess bleach on the napkins – there was in my case because I didn’t wash them before adding the bleach – blot the excess bleach from the napkin.
- Wash the napkins before your first use and then enjoy them!
What other bleach art designs can you think of? Polka dots, hearts, monograms, and more.
And instead of napkins, you can also decorate cotton T-shirts!
Have fun getting creative with bleach!
Here are many more ideas for bleach art.
Pin this for later!
Naomi S says
How clever, Dagmar! I wonder if you could also use a bleach pen to make your design? Have you ever used one? I don’t think you could get as fine a line perhaps as with a toothpick but you could do okay with the small end of the bleach pen for less intricate designs. Maybe I’ll give it a try and report back to you.
Dagmar Bleasdale says
Hi Naomi, I bet it would work with a bleach pen as well — great idea!
Helmut says
Good article. Did you know there is another art fabric called Koloron which you or your guests can color themselves?
Helmut
Nancy says
My first time to look at your clever projects. I am definitely going to have some fun copy-catting you. Thank you for so generously sharing your ideas with us. I have some dark blue napkins that would be pretty with snowflakes on them for winter. By the way, how do you pronounce the French word for the tray.