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Tips For Successful Dyeing

This document provides tips for successfully dyeing fabrics at home with Rit dye. It outlines the necessary supplies, step-by-step dyeing instructions, and care instructions. Key points include choosing dyeable natural fabrics like cotton or blends with at least 60% cotton; dissolving powder dye in hot water before adding to the dye bath; using enough dye for the weight of fabric; keeping the dye bath at 140°F for deepest color; and washing dyed items separately in cool water initially to set the color. Proper cleanup of surfaces and washing machines is also recommended.

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Mohammed Atiqul Hoque Chowdhury
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233 views

Tips For Successful Dyeing

This document provides tips for successfully dyeing fabrics at home with Rit dye. It outlines the necessary supplies, step-by-step dyeing instructions, and care instructions. Key points include choosing dyeable natural fabrics like cotton or blends with at least 60% cotton; dissolving powder dye in hot water before adding to the dye bath; using enough dye for the weight of fabric; keeping the dye bath at 140°F for deepest color; and washing dyed items separately in cool water initially to set the color. Proper cleanup of surfaces and washing machines is also recommended.

Uploaded by

Mohammed Atiqul Hoque Chowdhury
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Tips for Successful Dyeing

Whether you are looking to refresh the colors of your wardrobe, ombre-dye curtains for your
bedroom, or create Halloween costumes for your children, Rit Dye can help you get there. Our
tips for success help you pick the right fabric for your project, attain the color you are looking
for, and learn the easiest way to clean up and care for your items.

Prep, dye and clean up time: 1 hour

Youll Need

Item(s) to dye

Rit Dye, liquid or powder

Test swatch, optional

Measuring cup

Measuring spoons

Large metal spoon

Cook pot, 3-gallon container, or washing machine

Kitchen scale, optional

Paper towels or sponges

Plastic table cover

Rubber gloves

Plastic table cover or newspaper

Step by Step
a. CHOOSING FABRICS. Rit works best on many natural, washable fabrics and
materials, such as:
a. 100% cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie
b. Synthetics such as rayon and nylon
c. Fiber blends with at least 60% cotton or other dyeable fiber (blends will tint
evenly but will not achieve full color)
d. Nylon-based plastic such as those found in buttons, fasteners and lacrosse sticks
e. Natural materials such as wood, wicker, paper, feathers and cork
But there are fabrics and materials that will not accept dye, such as:
a. 100% polyester, acrylic, acetate, fiberglass, spandex and metallic fibers
b. Fabrics with rubber backing (bath mats or throw rugs)
c. Fabrics with special finishes such as water repellents
d. Fabrics with bleach damage or extensive staining
e. Fabrics washable only in cold water or labeled dry clean only
f. Polyethylene plastics such as golf discs
g. Polycarbonate plastics such as eyeglass frames
b. Fiber content and weight also effect how color appears making fabrics like cotton,
wool and silk absorb dye differently, slightly changing the hue and brightness of the
chosen color. If you are in doubt as to whether your fabric will accept dye or achieve
the color you want, we recommend testing a swatch.
c. DYE PREP. Cover work area with a plastic table cover or newspaper and have
paper towels or sponges handy to protect against any possible spills.
d. Wear rubber gloves to protect hands from getting stained and to insulate them when
working with hot water.
e. Use plastic buckets or stainless steel pots for the dye bath. You can also dye in a
stainless steel sink. Dont dye or rinse items in a porcelain or fiberglass sink or tub
as they are likely to get stained./p>
f. ACHIEVING TRUE COLOR. Always follow manufacturers care instructions for
your fabric as well as Rit Dye package or bottle instructions.
g. Remove stains on fabric or use Rit Color Remover before dyeing to get fabric to an
off-white or cream color. This will help achieve uniform color results when dyeing.
h. Dissolve powder dye thoroughly in 2 cups of very hot water first to avoid dye
spotting. Stir dissolved powder dye or well-shaken liquid dye into dye bath until

evenly dispersed. Never pour liquid or powder dye directly on fabric unless looking
to achieve a specific creative effect.
i. Be sure to use enough dye for the weight or size of the project. For example, for a
pound of dry fabric (about 3 yards), use one package of Rit powder or 1/2 bottle of
Rit liquid in 3 gallons of water. You want enough water for the fabric to move freely
in the dye bath so that it can absorb the dye evenly across the garment.
j. When dyeing 1 pound of dry fabric in dark or bright colors such as Black, Dark
Brown, Cocoa Brown, Navy, Purple, Wine, and Dark Green, use double the amount
of dye (2 packages of Rit powder or 1 bottle of Rit liquid) in 3 gallons of water.
k. For the deepest color, use a water temperature of 140F/60C and keep heat constant
while dyeing (the stove top method or a washing machine work best). Note: If tap
water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove, in a teakettle or in the microwave.
l. If dyeing a garment more than one color, its usually best to start with the lightest
color and move to the darkest.
m. For more intense color when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie, or
linen, add 1 cup salt to the dye bath. When dyeing nylon, silk and wool, add 1 cup
white vinegar to the dye bath. If possible delay adding the salt or vinegar until 5
minutes after the fabric has been in the dye bath. The delay will help to promote
level dyeing.
n. Add 1 tablespoon laundry detergent to all dye baths to help promote level dyeing.
o. The longer the garment is immersed in the dye bath, the deeper the resulting color.
Items can remain in the dye bath up to 1 hour as long as the water remains hot.
Youll also have to make sure the item receives constant agitation or stirring.
p. Garments will also look darker when wet and prior to washing.
q. When you remove clothes from dye bath, rinse in warm, then cool water until water
runs clear. (Warm water helps to rinse off surface dye more effectively.)
r. Wash your fabric/clothes in warm water with mild detergent and then rinse
thoroughly in cool water. Machine dry or hang dry.
s. CARING FOR DYED ITEMS. For the first two or three times, wash your dyed item
by itself in cool water with a small amount of non-bleaching detergent. Always wash
your dyed clothing with similar colors in cool water with mild detergent. Dry
cleaning silks and special fabrics is recommended.
t. CLEANUP. Clean containers and sinks immediately after dyeing by scrubbing with
hot water and powdered cleanser or bleach.

u. Clean washing machine using highest water level with hot water, detergent and 1
cup chlorine bleach using complete wash cycle. Clean lint traps. Plastic or rubber
machine parts may be tinted but will not stain laundry.

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