Rit Dye - Use these liquid dyes to dye your own fabric
- Here's What Rit Will & Will Not Dye
Choose Your Fabric & Materials
Rit works best on many natural, washable fabrics and materials, such as ...
- 100% cotton, linen, silk, wool, ramie
- Synthetics such as rayon and nylon (To dye other Synthetics please look at Rit DyeMore a specially designed formula to dye synthetic materials)
- Fiber blends with at least 60% cotton or other dyeable fiber (Blends will tint evenly but will not achieve full color)
- Nylon-based plastic such as those found in buttons, fasteners, golf balls & lacrosse sticks
- Natural materials such as wood, wicker, paper, feathers and cork
... but there are fabrics and materials that will NOT accept dye such as ... - 100% polyester, acrylic, acetate, fiberglass, spandex and metallic fibers
- Fabrics with rubber backing (bath mats or throw rugs)
- Fabrics with special finishes such as water repellents
- Fabrics with bleach damage or extensive staining
- Fabrics washable only in cold water or labeled "dry clean only"
- Polyethylene plastics such as golf discs
- Polycarbonate plastics such as eyeglass frames
If you are in doubt as to whether your fabric will accept dye, test a swatch.
Achieving True Color
Always follow manufacturer's care instructions for your fabric as well as Rit Dye package or bottle instructions.
Remove stains on fabric with Rit Super Stain Remover or Rit Color Remover before dyeing to achieve uniform color results.
Choose your colors. You can use one, two, three or as many colors as you like on one garment. However, if you use more than one color, it's usually best to start with the lightest color.
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.
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.
For the deepest color, use a water temperature of 140ºF/60ºC. Note: If tap water is not hot enough, heat water in a tea kettle or in the microwave.
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.
For more intense color when dyeing fabrics containing cotton, rayon, ramie, or linen, add 1 cup salt to the dyebath. When dyeing nylon, silk and wool, add 1 cup white vinegar to the dyebath. 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.
Add 1 Tablespoon laundry detergent to all dye baths to help promote level dyeing.
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. You'll also have to make sure the item receives constant agitation or stirring.
Garments will also look darker when wet and prior to washing.
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.)
Wash your fabric/clothes in warm water with mild detergent and then rinse thoroughly in cool water. Machine dry or hang dry.
Fiber Content Affects Dye Color
Garments and fabrics will take dye differently due to their fiber content and weight. With the new Rit dye formula, these swatches dyed in Scarlet are brighter, more vibrant and show improved color continuity.
Tips for Dyeing Special Fabrics
Silk
To help achieve a more intense color, add 1 cup white vinegar to the dyebath, especially when dyeing in the washing machine. When dyeing smaller amounts of fabric using the bucket or stove-top method, add 1/2 cup white vinegar after the fabric has been in the dyebath for 5 minutes.
To avoid shrinkage, 140ºF is the highest dyeing temperature that should be used.
Wool
To help achieve a more intense color, add 1 cup white vinegar to the dyebath. When dyeing smaller amounts of fabric using the bucket or stove-top method, add 1/2 cup white vinegar after the fabric has been in the dyebath for 5 minutes. Avoid dyeing wool in the washing machine because felting will occur.
If dyeing a wool sweater, measure or trace garment on a large piece of paper so that after dyeing, the sweater can be blocked to the same size, following the measurements or traced outline. Woolens should dry flat.
To avoid shrinkage, 140°F is the highest water temperature that should be used.
To help achieve a more intense color, stir ½ cup white vinegar into dye bath after the fabric has been in the dye bath for 5 minutes. Avoid dyeing wool in the washing machine because felting will occur.
Nylon
To help achieve a more intense color, add 1 cup white vinegar to the dyebath, especially when dyeing in the washing machine. When dyeing smaller amounts of fabric using the bucket or stove-top method, add 1/2 cup white vinegar after the fabric has been in the dyebath for 5 minutes.
Rit dyes nylon very easily and quickly.
To avoid wrinkling, do not exceed a water temperature of 180ºF.
After dyeing, allow fabric to cool down before rinsing in cool water.
Quick Cleanup
Cover your workspace with a plastic drop cloth and/or newspaper.
Be sure to have sponges and paper towels on hand to wipe up spills.
Use plastic buckets or stainless steel pots for the dye bath. Don't dye or rinse items in plastic or in a fiberglass sink.
Clean containers and sinks immediately after dyeing by scrubbing with hot water and powdered cleanser or bleach.
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.
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.
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