Summer Workshop Series #2: How Does pH Change Fabric Color?

During Thread of Hope’s Summer Workshop Series #2 on July 18, students explore pH and discover how acidic and alkaline substances interact with fabric and color.

They begin by learning how the pH scale works and comparing the acidity of familiar drinks, including fruit juice and grape juice. They also discuss why color alone cannot tell us a substance’s pH and examine how highly acidic or alkaline materials can stain, damage, or weaken everyday materials.

Students then bring chemistry and creativity together by applying what they learn to a hands-on fabric-design activity. As they experiment with color on T-shirts, they see how chemistry can influence the appearance of textiles and turn a simple art project into an opportunity for scientific discovery.