Buzz
Transform your old, worn-out clothes into vibrant new pieces by dyeing them with bright colors. Choose garments made from natural fibers that have seen better days, and rejuvenate them using either plant-based dyes or store-bought dye kits. Light-colored or white fabrics are easiest to dye, but you can also bleach darker fabrics before dyeing them. Using pre-made dyes saves time, allowing you to refresh your wardrobe in just a few hours. For a more intricate process, opt for natural dyes, which yield stunning, earthy tones and a unique finish.
Steps
Dyeing Clothes Using a Washing Machine
Wash the clothes before dyeing. Follow the instructions provided with the dye. Typically, you’ll need to run the clothes through a gentle wash cycle in warm water with mild detergent.
- Ensure all stains are removed before proceeding.
- Do not dry the clothes after washing. They need to remain damp for the dyeing process.
Fill the washing machine drum with hot water. Select the hottest water setting suitable for the fabric you're dyeing. Use just enough water for a small load of laundry.
- Using too much water will dilute the dye, resulting in a faded appearance.
Add the dye while the water is filling the drum. Do not add the clothes yet. Pouring the dye into the machine as the water flows eliminates the need for manual stirring, as the fast-flowing water will mix the dye evenly.
- Refer to the package instructions for the correct amount of dye, typically one packet of powder or half a bottle of liquid dye.
Add a color fixative to the dye water. For cotton or linen fabrics, add 1 cup (275g) of salt. For silk or nylon, use 1 cup (200ml) of white vinegar.
- The fixative helps the dye adhere to the fabric fibers.
Add the clothes to the machine and set a 30-minute wash cycle. Once the machine is filled with water, add the clothes and select a 30-minute cycle. Opt for a longer cycle if you desire a deeper color.
- Ensure the clothes are wet before adding them to the dye water, or the results may be uneven.
Rinse the clothes using warm water. Run a full rinse cycle to remove any excess dye. Warm water is more effective than cold water in washing out leftover dye.
Wash the clothes with detergent on a regular cycle. Use cold water and a mild detergent to help the dye set properly. Cold water ensures the dye adheres well, and the washing process cleans the clothes after soaking in dye and fixatives.
- Avoid washing other clothes with the dyed items.
- Dry the clothes using a dryer or hang them on a clothesline.
Run an additional wash cycle with the empty machine. After removing the dyed clothes, run another wash cycle to clean out any remaining dye and prepare the machine for future use.
- For best results, use hot water and 1 cup (250ml) of bleach.
Using Store-Bought Dye on the Stove
Cover the work surface, wear rubber gloves, and dress in old clothes. Dyeing can be messy, as the dye may stain not only the clothes but also surfaces and other fabrics. To simplify cleanup, cover the area with plastic sheeting or newspaper. Protect your skin from chemicals by wearing gloves and old clothes you don’t mind staining.
- Keep sponges and paper towels handy to clean up any spills during the dyeing process.
Simmer a large pot of water over medium heat. Fill the pot three-quarters full with water, ensuring there’s enough to fully submerge the clothes. If not, you may need to dye in batches. Heat the water until it reaches a gentle simmer.
- For optimal results, use an 8-liter pot.
Add a fixative like salt or white vinegar to the nearly boiling water. Add the fixative directly to the pot. Choose the appropriate fixative based on the fabric type:
- For natural fibers like cotton and silk, add 1 cup (275g) of salt to the water.
- For synthetic fibers like nylon, use 1 cup (250ml) of white vinegar.
Pour the dye into the water. Stir until the dye dissolves completely. Follow the instructions on the packaging to determine the correct amount of dye needed. The quantity varies depending on whether you’re using powder or liquid dye:
- For powder dye, typically use the entire packet in simmering water.
- For liquid dye, use half a bottle.
Submerge the clothes completely in the dye bath. Ensure the clothes are fully immersed. Use a spoon to press them down if necessary.
- Stir the clothes occasionally to ensure even dye absorption.
Simmer the clothes in the dye bath. After the dye bath reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for an hour. The water should only be lightly bubbling.
- Stir the clothes occasionally for even coloring.
- Do not cover the pot.
Rinse the clothes with hot water and wring them out. Carefully remove the clothes from the dye bath using two spoons and place them in a metal sink. Rinse under hot water, gradually reducing the temperature until the water runs cold and clear. Finally, wring out the clothes by hand.
- Dispose of the dye water in the sink.
- It’s normal for a lot of dye to rinse out initially.
- Use cold water in the final rinse to help set the dye.
Air-dry the clothes. Hang the clothes until they are completely dry. Place an old towel or rag underneath to catch any dripping dye during the drying process.
- Avoid using a dryer to dry the clothes.
Dyeing Clothes Naturally
Cover the work surface with plastic sheeting or newspaper. Natural dyes can stain clothes and surfaces just like chemical dyes. Covering the area makes cleanup easier and prevents stains.
- Wear old clothes or an apron to avoid staining your outfit.
Pre-wash the clothes you want to dye using detergent or soda ash (sodium carbonate). For protein-based fibers like cashmere, wool, and silk, soak the clothes in mild dish soap and warm water (use cold water for wool). For cellulose fibers like cotton, linen, and hemp, soak the clothes in soda ash and warm water. Let them soak for at least 1-2 hours, or up to 4 hours. Simmer the clothes in the mixture over low heat.
- The exact ratio of the cleaning mixture isn’t critical, as long as the clothes are submerged and there’s enough soap or soda ash to clean them.
- You can make soda ash by baking baking soda in the oven at 90°C for an hour.
Soak the clothes in a mordant solution for about 20 minutes. A mordant is a mixture of metallic salts and water that helps the dye adhere to the fabric fibers. Simmer the clothes in the mordant solution for 20 minutes, then let the mixture cool. You can use different mordants depending on the desired result:
- Alum is the most convenient mordant and can be found in supermarkets, craft stores, or online. Dissolve 110g of alum in warm water for every 500g of fabric. However, using too much alum can make the fibers sticky.
- Iron is an effective mordant but will create darker, earthy tones. Use iron only if you want muted, natural colors. Create an iron mordant by boiling old nails in water.
- Copper produces greenish tones. Create a copper mordant by boiling pre-1982 U.S. pennies or purchasing copper sulfate online. Copper is toxic if ingested, so avoid using cooking pots and work in a well-ventilated area.
- Use a small amount of tin to create bright, fade-resistant colors. Tin should also be used in a well-ventilated area and not in cooking pots.
Soak the clothes in a fixative solution for about an hour. The fixative helps the fabric absorb the dye better and prevents fading over time. The best fixative depends on the type of dye you’re using:
- For berry-based dyes, use salt as the fixative. Mix 1/2 cup (135g) of salt with 8 cups (2 liters) of cold water.
- For dyes made from other plant materials, use vinegar. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 4 parts cold water.
Rinse the clothes thoroughly with cold water before dyeing. Remove any remaining fixative or mordant by rinsing the clothes under running water until it runs clear.
- The clothes must be wet before dyeing, so proceed to the dyeing step immediately after rinsing.
Prepare ripe plant materials for natural dyeing. For the best results, choose fully ripe fruits, mature seeds, flowers at their peak, and freshly harvested leaves, stems, or roots. Combine different materials to create richer or blended colors:
- Create orange with onion skins, carrot roots, pumpkin seed hulls, and yellow lichen.
- Make brown with dandelion roots, oak bark, walnut hulls, tea bags, coffee, chestnuts, and goldenrod buds.
- Produce pink with strawberries, cherries, red raspberries, and Grand Fir bark.
- Create blue-purple with elderberry bark, red cabbage, lavender, elderberries, mulberries, cornflower petals, blueberries, purple grapes, and iris flowers.
- Make red-brown with elderberries, red onion skins, pomegranates, beets, bamboo, and dried hibiscus flowers.
- Create gray-black with blackberries, walnut hulls, oak galls, and pumpkin rinds.
- Produce red-purple with daylilies, blueberries, or basil leaves.
- Make green with artichokes, sorrel roots, spinach leaves, marigolds, snapdragons, lilacs, grass, or goldenrod flowers.
- Create yellow with bay leaves, alfalfa seeds, marigolds, St. John's Wort, dandelion flowers, daffodils, bell peppers, and turmeric.
Chop the plant materials and add them to a large pot of water. Cut the materials into small pieces and place them in a large pot. Use 2 parts water for every 1 part plant material.
- The pot should be twice the size of the clothes you’re dyeing. If dyeing a large batch, work in smaller portions.
Simmer the plant materials for at least an hour or overnight. Ensure there’s enough water to fully submerge the clothes. For deeper colors, let the materials soak overnight without heating. Alternatively, simmer the mixture for 1-4 hours, monitoring it closely.
- The longer the mixture simmers, the darker the dye will be.
Strain the plant materials from the dye water. Pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the plant materials, leaving only the dye water. Transfer the strained liquid back into the dye pot.
Simmer the clothes in the dye bath for 1-8 hours. Place the wet clothes into the dye bath and simmer over medium heat until the desired color is achieved. Stir occasionally for even dyeing. Note that the dried clothes will appear lighter than the color in the dye bath.
- Soak the clothes for at least 1 hour for a light color.
- For a deeper shade, soak the clothes for 8 hours or overnight.
Rinse the dyed clothes with cold water. Rinse the clothes under cold water to remove excess dye until the water runs clear.
- Dry the clothes using a dryer or by hanging them in the sun.
Tips
- Pre-wash the clothes and ensure they are stain-free for even dyeing results.
- Avoid dyeing clothes made of polyester, spandex, metallic fibers, or those labeled "dry clean only."
- Use stainless steel or other metal containers for dyeing and washing. Avoid plastic or ceramic as dyes may stain them.
- Remember that different fabrics react differently to the same dye. Even dyeable fabrics may produce slightly varying shades due to fabric type and weight. This means multi-fabric garments may have slightly different tones.
- Protect your hands and clothing by wearing disposable gloves and an apron or old clothes. Wear items you don’t mind staining or damaging during the dyeing process.
- Clothes made from at least 60% dyeable fibers, like cotton, can still be dyed with chemical dyes, but the color will be lighter compared to 100% dyeable fabrics.
Warnings
- When using chemical dyes, always check the packaging for specific instructions and allergy information. While most chemical dyes are safe, some may contain mild allergens that you should be aware of.
What You'll Need
- White or light-colored clothing
- Plastic sheeting or newspaper
- Apron
- Rubber gloves
- Salt
- White vinegar
- Clothesline or drying rack
Dyeing Clothes Using a Washing Machine
- Washing machine
- Chemical dye
Using Store-Bought Dye on the Stove
- 8-liter pot
- Spoon
- Laundry detergent
- Chemical dye
Dyeing Clothes Naturally
- Spoon
- Plant materials for dye
- Knife
- Soda ash (sodium carbonate)
- Laundry detergent
- Mordant (alum, iron, copper, or tin)
