Only natural fibers will react to the dye.
New color can refresh well-worn clothing and rejuvenate faded fabrics. You can buy synthetic products, but it’s worth remembering that effective natural dyes found in your home or garden have been used for centuries.
Before dyeing, check that your washing machine is suitable for the job or use a plastic bowl. The type of fabric to be dyed also makes a difference.
Only fabrics made from natural fibers such as cotton, rayon, linen, half-linen or a mix of natural and synthetic can be dyed; avoid synthetic fibers such as polyester and acrylic, which don’t absorb color.
• Wear rubber gloves and an apron when dyeing. Protect work surfaces and floors with newspaper.
• Garment color will affect the final result. For instance, blue dye + yellow garment = green result.
• Light-colored clothes are easiest to dye; always choose a shade that’s darker when dyeing.
• Don’t dye high-performance fabrics such as waterproofed, microfiber or down-filled clothing.
• If you are using synthetic dyes, color fabrics in the washing machine, not by hand.
• You will need to use salt as an additional fixative.
• Don’t dye anything valuable.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.
Machine dyeing is ideal for bulky items.
1 Prewash garments to be dyed and place them in the washing machine and start the wash cycle at 105°F (40°C). If you put about 2 pounds (1 kg) of fabric in a large washing machine, you’ll get a medium shade. If there is less fabric in the machine, the color will be darker.
2 Add the dye to the machine’s dispenser, following the manufacturer’s instructions. With most dyes you will also need to add a fixative.
3 After dyeing, run it through a wash cycle with detergent at the hottest temperature and again with the machine empty.
• If you are dyeing in a plastic bowl, weigh the fabric first then prewash it. You will need 2 quarts (2 L) of prepared dye for every 1/4 pound (100 g) of fabric.
• For hot water dyes, wash the item and leave it damp. Submerge it in the dye mixture, bring slowly to a boil and simmer. Cool in the water then rinse in warm water.
• For cold water dyes, dissolve the powder in very hot tap water. Add the fixative and salt. Soak for about an hour before rinsing. (For wool, substitute vinegar for salt as the fixative.) This method can also be used for tie-dyeing.
These can all be used with the basic dye formula (see below). The more of the plant you use and the longer the boiling time, the darker the final color.
• Oak leaves: dark beige to olive
• Blueberries: purple
• Dandelion root: pale yellow
• Beets: carmine red
• Onion skins: orange
Plant dyes
one Boil 1 cup (200 g) plant leaves, flowers or chopped root for an hour in 2 quarts (2 L) water.
two Dissolve 2 teaspoons (10 g) alum in 2 quarts (2 L) water for every 2 ounces (50 g) material to be dyed. Put the fabric into the solution, heat to 160°F (70°C) and let it cool.
three Wash the fabric well, then place it in the plant brew and let it simmer on the stove for about an hour. Place the fabric in vinegar and water to set the color.