Name: Susan

Message: Great Site and so helpful. Here is my question:
I have some lovely old linen napkins and tablecloths with monograms. But, the napkins are stained. I would like to dye them in a single color to  try to cover the stains. What type of dye (the fiber reactive?) and technique would you recommend? Thanks so much.

Because all dye is transparent, dyeing the napkins a single solid color will not cover the stains. Instead, the stains will dye to a darker color than the rest of the napkins.

I recommend that you try to get out the stains as much as possible before dyeing them. Careful cleaning will also prepare the napkins to accept dye. There may be stains that you cannot even see right now which will repel dye. Grease stains in particular will repel dye, resulting in lighter patches, whereas stains of protein or carbohydrate can cause more dye to attach, resulting in colors even darker than you would expect.

Hot water will remove stains better than cooler water, with the exception of bloodstains. You might start by washing with a grease remover, such as Pinesol or Lestoil. If stains remain after you have laundered in hot water with a grease remover, and used detergent, then you may want to try chlorine bleach and/or Rit Color Remover. (If you use both, be sure to wash thoroughly in between.) Rit Color Remover requires the use of very hot water, for best results.

The usual recommendation for pre-scouring before dyeing is to wash the items in hot (140°F) water with Synthrapol or another detergent, plus extra soda ash to enhance cleaning. This is in addition to any soda ash you may use in the dyeing process itself.

If the napkins remain badly stained after all that, then I recommend that you not try to dye them a single solid color. Instead, consider using a multi-colored approach such as low water immersion or dye painting.

Linen, like cotton, is best dyed with a fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX dye. I do not recommend the use of an all-purpose dye, such as Rit, because it will fade quickly, and run in the laundry. You can buy Procion MX dye by mail-order from a good dye supplier, or you can go to a crafts store or art supply store and look for a fiber reactive dye there. Fiber reactive dyes you might see include Jacquard Products Procion MX dye, Dylon Permanent Dye, Dylon Cold Dye, Tulip One Step Fashion Dye, and (in Europe or Australia, but not North America) Dylon Machine Dye. See "Sources for Dyeing Supplies Around the World".

The easiest way to dye anything a solid color is in the washing machine. Find a good recipe to follow before you buy your dye, as some brands of dye will require too many packages in order to fill one washing machine load, and will not be economical. You will also need a large quantity of salt. See "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?". Smaller quantities can be dyed via the same method in a five-gallon plastic bucket, using anywhere from five teaspoons to twenty tablespoons of Procion MX dye (15 to 150 grams) for a five-pound washing machine load, depending on the depth of color desired.

(Please help support this web site. Thank you.)