Abstract: A method for chlorine-free bleaching of denim textile material composed of warp yarn which is dyed with at least one of (a) indigo dye and at least one sulfur dye, and (b) at least one derivative of indigo dye and at least one sulfur dye, and weft yarn which is undyed and substantially white and which continues to be substantially white after bleaching to provide a denim textile material having a stylish gray cast.

Abstract: A method for bleaching textile material, including preparing an aqueous alkaline solution of a bleaching agent composed of formamidine sulfinic acid and at least one carbohydrate having a general total formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n O.sub.n, the formamidine sulfinic acid and the at least one carbohydrate having a weight ratio with respect to one another which ranges from 80:20 to 99:1; and bleaching textile material composed at least in part of cellulose materials by contacting the textile material with the bleaching agent at a temperature above 50.degree. C. therefor.