How to Make Bleach-Dyed Halloween X-Ray Pillow Covers

Give your couch a creepy touch this Halloween with one-of-a-kind throw pillows created from materials borrowed from your bathroom cabinets.

Two black pillows with orange skeleton outlines on a gray couch

Add pillow insert

Add a pillow insert inside the pillowcase! Now you’ll be ready to cuddle up during a scary movie!

Photo by: Crafty Lumberjacks

Crafty Lumberjacks

By: The Crafty Lumberjacks: Andrew Boza and Dennis Setteducati

Show: HGTV Handmade

Related To:

Leave no spot unhaunted in your home this Halloween by turning a plain throw pillow into a creepy work of art. Follow this multilayered bleach dye technique to create eerie, whimsical x-ray vibes using basic cleaning products already in your cabinets. Guests will be shrieking with fright (or delight) when they find out how you made them.

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Make X-Ray Throw Pillows for Halloween Decorating

05:05

The Crafty Lumberjacks grab household cleaning products to make eerie skull pillows for Halloween.

Materials + Tools

100 percent cotton black pillowcases
pillow insert
craft knife and cutting mat
vinyl or contact paper, sized to your pillow
brayer
bleach

hydrogen peroxide
gel toilet bowl cleaner with bleach
2 clean, empty spray bottles fitted with misting nozzles
gloves + mask
tarp, parchment paper and/or scrap cardboard to protect work surface

Caution: Wear a mask and gloves when handling the bleach and toilet bowl cleaner. Protect surfaces and keep the materials out of reach of children and pets while working on the project.

Two black pillows with orange skeleton outlines

Add pillow insert

Add a pillow insert inside the pillowcase! Now you’ll be ready to cuddle up during a scary movie!

Photo by: Crafty Lumberjacks

Crafty Lumberjacks

Create Stencil

Cut down a piece of contact paper or vinyl to match the size of the pillowcase. With a pencil, freehand draw a spooky image on the piece of contact paper (Image 1) and then use a craft knife to cut it out (Image 2 + 3). Don’t worry too much about the details. Get creative with this step — choose any image that will match your aesthetic. Not a great artist? Use free clip art!

Crafty Lumberjacks

Draw an image on contact paper for a stencil

Cut down a piece of contact paper or vinyl to match the size of the pillow case. With a pencil, free hand draw a spooky image on the piece of contact paper. Don’t worry too much about the details. Tip: Get creative with this step! Choose any image that will match your aesthetic! Not a great artist? Use free clip art!

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Draw an image on contact paper for a stencil

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Draw an image on contact paper for a stencil

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Add Stencil to Pillowcase

Gently peel the image off the contact paper backing and center onto the pillowcase and press down in place. Use a brayer to press firmly and to remove any air bubbles. Tip: If you don't have a brayer, you can use the back of a credit card to gently smooth out any air bubbles.

Crafty Lumberjacks

Add stencil to pillow case

Gently peel the image off the contact paper backing and center onto the pillow case and press down in place. Use a brayer to press firmly and to remove any air bubbles.

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Prep Bleach and Hydrogen Peroxide

Rinse out an empty spray bottle with a misting nozzle. Place a funnel on top of the empty spray bottle and fill it with bleach. Repeat this step with another spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide (Image 1). Always use caution when using chemicals, wear gloves and protective eyewear and work in a well-ventilated area.

Prepare your working area for the project by laying a tarp outside or in a well-ventilated area. Place a piece of cardboard and parchment paper inside the pillowcase to prevent the back side from getting bleached.

Upcycle an empty spray bottle with a misting nozzle. Place a funnel on top of the empty spray bottle and fill it with bleach. Repeat this step with another spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide. Always use caution when using chemicals, wear gloves and protective eyewear and work in a well ventilated area.

Crafty Lumberjacks

Prep bleach and hydrogen peroxide

Upcycle an empty spray bottle with a misting nozzle. Place a funnel on top of the empty spray bottle and fill it with bleach. Repeat this step with another spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide. Always use caution when using chemicals, wear gloves and protective eyewear and work in a well ventilated area.

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Spray the Bleach

Make sure the spray bottle nozzle is on mist and spray the bleach around the stencil until it is lightly coated (Image 1). It is best to work in light layers rather than oversaturating the stencil. The bleach will begin to change color quickly, the longer the bleach sits the lighter it will get (Image 2).

Crafty Lumberjacks

Spray the bleach

Make sure the spray bottle nozzle is on mist and spray the bleach around the stencil until it is lightly coated. It is best to work in light layers rather than over saturating the stencil. The bleach will begin to change color quickly, the longer the bleach sits the lighter it will get.

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Spray the bleach

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Neutralize the Bleach

When happy with the coloring, stop the bleaching action by spraying the hydrogen peroxide on top of the sprayed areas. When the hydrogen peroxide mixes with the bleach it will turn a shade of white, this is an indicator that it is working. Once done, wipe off any extra hydrogen peroxide that has puddled on the pillowcase.

Crafty Lumberjacks

Neutralize the bleach

When happy with the coloring, stop the bleaching action by spraying the hydrogen peroxide on top of the sprayed areas. When the hydrogen peroxide mixes with the bleach it will turn a shade of white, this is a good indicator that it is working! Once done, wipe off any extra hydrogen peroxide that has puddled on the pillow case.

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Outline with Bleach Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Keep the stencil on the pillowcase and outline it with the toilet bowl cleaner (Image 1). The toilet bowl cleaner is runny and will create an uneven organic detail. Use a paintbrush to fix any spots (Image 2), but don’t worry too much about any imperfections, this only adds to the creepiness.

Keep the stencil on the pillowcase and outline it with the toilet bowl cleaner. The toilet bowl cleaner is runny and will create an uneven organic detail. Use a paintbrush to fix any spots, but don’t worry too much about any imperfections, this only adds to the creepiness! Tip: Place the toilet bowl cleaner in the freezer for a couple of hours to help thicken it. This will make it a little easier to use.

Crafty Lumberjacks

Outline with bleach toilet bowl cleaner

Keep the stencil on the pillowcase and outline it with the toilet bowl cleaner. The toilet bowl cleaner is runny and will create an uneven organic detail. Use a paintbrush to fix any spots, but don’t worry too much about any imperfections, this only adds to the creepiness! Tip: Place the toilet bowl cleaner in the freezer for a couple of hours to help thicken it. This will make it a little easier to use.

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Outline with bleach toilet bowl cleaner

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks

Peel Off Stencil and Wash

Let the solution sit for about 10-30 minutes depending on the vibrance you’re looking for. Carefully peel off the stencil from the pillowcase (Image 1). Once happy with the look, rinse the pillowcase by hand to ensure most of the bleach is washed out (Image 2). Once rinsed, wash the pillowcase on a cold delicate setting and dry on low heat.

Let the solution sit for about 10-30 depending on the vibrancy you’re looking for. Carefully, peel off the stencil from the pillowcase. Once happy with the look, rinse the pillowcase by hand before washing to ensure most of the bleach is washed out. Once rinsed, wash the pillowcase on a cold delicate setting and dry on low heat.

Crafty Lumberjacks

Peel off stencil and wash

Let the solution sit for about 10-30 depending on the vibrancy you’re looking for. Carefully, peel off the stencil from the pillowcase. Once happy with the look, rinse the pillowcase by hand before washing to ensure most of the bleach is washed out. Once rinsed, wash the pillowcase on a cold delicate setting and dry on low heat.

Photo By: Crafty Lumberjacks