Dyeing tips and tricks

RIT and tintex dyes are a combination of Acid, Direct, and Disperse dyes mixed with acetic acid and salt. Acetic acid is needed to aid the acid dyes, and salt is needed for direct. (mortants= acetic acid( or citric acid) and salt are safe to use)

To get the best results with RIT or TINTEX is to heat the dye bath.

1. wash fabrics/clothing, set aside.
2. mix dyes with hot water to dissolve. ( I boil water and then mix the dye into that for better dissolving.
3. Using warm water in a large pot on the stove at a low heat, pour dissolved dye mix through a coffee strainer(metal kind) in the pot.
4. stir well.
5. add wet fabric/clothing into dye bath
6. keep stirring! and bring the heat up slowly....the more heat, the better colors get deeper and more intense.
7. If you fabric/clothing is Cotton, Rayon, Linen, add more salt....Rock/table salt. about 1 cup for item. This keep the dyes stay in the fibers.
8. once you reach the color desired, take out of bath, rinse in lukewarm warm first, then cold. Keep rinsing well.

TIPS: The more dye you use, the more intense the color gets. For deep/intense colors, you need to keep the dye bath going for about an hour. Bring the temp of the dye bath to almost a boil.

Chemical dyes are much less toxic because you only need to add either salt or acid to the dye bath. Natural dyes are misleading You would like they are safer, but because you need mortants such as Cooper and other metals, it's not so safe to do at home.

Please read the above I posted about what types of dyes to purchase for true brillint colors. You can get these at those places I mentioned.

Aljo Dyes sells a fixitive for cotton and nylon dyes. After you dye using Direct dyes for cottons, you emerse the dyed, wet fabric/clothing into a fixitive bath. This keeps the color from fading and running off. You can also use them for RIT/TINTEX

RIT and TINTEX will not dye Polyesters and acrylics, only tint them. Fake furs are made from those fibers and not recommended to dye, as any heat wilt the fur and it looks like crap afterwards.

Chemical dyes are safe as long as you use a dust mask while mixing dry dyes.

Cofee vs, Tea......do a test! French Roast? LOL

Dyeing is complicated. When you dye garments, most of the stitching will not dye because it is made from Polyester. Zippers might not dye as well. Using high heat also can shrink the fibers.

Next time you wanna dye something, tell me exactly what it is and I can then help you.

PS: I suck at spelling. :-)

Well, I don't think the iron pot will affect chemical dyes. I'm sure it would using natural dyes. I could be wrong, but even finding an large iron pot to dye in is difficult and it's not worth it pricewise. Any pot used for dyeing should never be used for cooking food.

I agree, iron and copper both with affect the dye results as they are both used for mordants, even if it is just the pot you are working with.