I've done it in the past with straight Clorox bleach. I loved the look. I also managed to ruin some jeans doing it also. You can't leave that stuff on there too long or it'll eat holes in the fabric.

Had to smile when I saw this post. My oldest son (he'll be 46 in a couple of weeks) still laughs when he remembers our trying to age denim jeans in the early 70's. We used bleach, washing them numerous times in bleach then spraying diluted bleach on spots and putting out in the sun for a while. We kept washing and drying them until we got them light enough. Then took them out to the carport and pounded them with rocks. Even drove the car over them a time or two. Finally got them to look aged and worn the way he wanted. I think it's kinda neat that he remembers Mom helping him to look "hip" when he thought it was important to him.

For parents of teens, this is just a reminder that kids do outgrow some of the weird ideas they get. This same son who had long hair and that "hippie" look when he was 14 is now as straight-laced and "normal" as they come!! :)

This is what I always use when I want to get the distressed look (holes, rough, etc)

Here is a link that might be useful: pedicure exfoliator

I did distressed jeans for my kids back in the 80's. Just wet them,laid them out flat, then sprinkled Ajax cleanser (HAS to be AJAX) on the back and front. Let them sit for a while, then was as usual! Messy..but the kids loved them! lol

I went to Good Will, Salvation Army and garage sales.....and when we found jeans with a good "start" we worked them over a bit more with sandpaper!
Linda C