Bleach & Paint Makeover: Upcycle Your Old Cap With Style!

Have an old cap lying around that feels a bit boring? Don’t throw it away just yet! In this project, I’ll show you how to give it a cool new style using bleach and fabric paint. It’s super easy, fun, and a great way to recycle your clothes instead of buying new ones.

You don’t need any fancy tools or skills — just a bit of creativity and a cap you’re ready to transform.

What You’ll Need:

1. An old cap (preferably black or dark-colored for better bleach effect)
2. Bleach (regular household bleach works)
3. ️ Fabric paint (any colors you like)
4. Paintbrushes
5. ✏️ Pencil (for sketching designs)
6. A sharp tool or cutter (for any cutout stencils or designs)
7. Paper tape (to block out areas you don’t want to paint or bleach)
8. ️ Plastic sheet or old newspapers (to protect your workspace)
9. Spray bottle (optional — makes applying bleach easier)

Take your paper tape and cover one side of the cap. It doesn’t have to be perfect — just enough to block off the area you don’t want to bleach or paint.

Now grab your bleach and gently pour or dab a little bit onto the exposed part of the cap — the side you didn’t tape. You don’t need much! A small amount goes a long way.

Let it sit and dry for a few minutes and watch the color start to change. Be careful — bleach can damage fabric fast and it smells strong, so make sure you're working in a well-ventilated area. You might want to wear gloves too.

After it dryes, remove the tape.

This part is fun, but stay safe!

Now it’s time to plan what you want to draw or write on the cap. An easy trick is to tape the screen of your phone or tablet and pull up the word or design you want.

Once the screen is covered with tape, carefully trace over the design using a pencil or marker. This creates a custom stencil you can later cut out and place on the cap.

This method keeps things clean and lets you get creative with words, logos, or simple shapes!

After you trace your design on the tape (while it’s still on your screen), carefully remove the tape and stick it onto a piece of cardboard or thick paper. This makes it easier and safer to cut.

Now use a sharp tool or cutter to carefully cut out the letters or shapes.

Once that’s done, take your cut-out tape pieces and place them on the cap exactly where you want your design to show. Press them down firmly so they stick well.

Now you're ready for the fun part — painting!

Now for the fun part — painting! Pick your favorite fabric paint colors and get creative. Go with one color or mix a few for a cool effect — it’s totally up to you.

Start painting over the tape stencil on your cap. Try to be generous with the paint so the colors really pop. Just make sure to paint carefully so it doesn’t leak under the tape.

Once the paint is dry (give it some time!), carefully peel off the tape pieces from the cap.

You’ll see your design revealed underneath — how cool is that? 🎉

Now you’ve got a one-of-a-kind cap made by you.