If you’ve ever spilled bleach on a piece of colored clothing—either by accident or while trying to clean something stubborn—you know the sinking feeling that comes next. That awful white spot shows up on your favorite shirt, jeans, or hoodie, and it feels like there’s no turning back. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit, and for years, I thought those pieces were beyond saving.

I used to toss bleach-stained clothes into the donation pile or the trash, figuring there was no hope. But then, thanks to a clever trick my mother-in-law shared, I discovered that it’s actually possible to make those bleach stains much less noticeable—and even save the garment entirely. One of the easiest and most surprisingly effective methods starts with two basic ingredients most people already have at home: white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. To get started, just mix equal parts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a small bowl or container. Then take a clean towel or cloth, dip it in the mixture, and gently dab it onto the bleach-stained area of your clothing. Be careful not to scrub too hard, as that can damage the fabric even more.

After treating the stain, rinse the area thoroughly with cold water. You can repeat this process several times, and while it won’t completely bring back the original color, it does help neutralize the bleach and soften the sharp, white edges of the stain so it blends more naturally with the rest of the fabric. If the vinegar and alcohol combo doesn’t get the job done or if you want to try a different approach, consider using a color remover—even the ones made for white garments. It might sound odd, but many of these products can actually work on colored clothes that have been stained with bleach, especially if the damage is still fresh. Just follow the instructions on the package, which usually involves dissolving the product in water and soaking the affected garment for about 90 minutes. Rinse well with cold water and repeat the soak up to three times if necessary.

The sooner you use this method after the stain appears, the better your chances of seeing noticeable results. One tip that genuinely surprised me was how effective sunlight can be at fading bleach stains even further. After trying the vinegar and alcohol method or using a color remover, simply hang the garment in direct sunlight for a few hours on a dry, sunny day. The sun naturally lightens the starkness of the stain and helps blend it into the fabric more evenly.

I didn’t believe it until I tried it, but it truly works—and it’s free. Now, if your goal is to make the garment look as close to new as possible, you may want to invest in a color booster or fabric dye. These products can help restore overall color balance and bring vibrancy back to faded or bleach-damaged fabric. You’ll want to choose a shade that closely matches your original garment color and follow the dye instructions carefully to avoid patchy results. With a bit of effort, you can breathe new life into your clothes and avoid the waste of throwing them away. Bleach accidents don’t have to be the end of the road for your favorite pieces. With common household ingredients like vinegar and rubbing alcohol, a little sunlight, and possibly some fabric dye, you can recover from a bleach mishap more easily than you might expect. Trust me—once you try these methods, you’ll think twice before tossing anything bleach-stained again. So next time you’re tempted to give up on that shirt with the annoying white splotch, try treating it first. Your clothes—and your wallet—will thank you.