Message: Is it possible to dye a bathing suit? I'd like to buy a white bathing suit and dye it a shade of red or maroon. Would the dye withstand chlorine, high temperature, and salt water? Would it run?

If you are going to dye a bathing suit, the first and most important issue is to get a dyeable bathing suit. You can buy white cotton/spandex bathing suits at Dharma Trading Company which are very easy to dye. Do not try to dye a bathing suit made of polyester; and although nylon is dyeable, the dyes used for dyeing nylon at home may be less resistant to fading, especially since you must not use very hot water to dye anything that contains spandex (Lycra). Only cotton/spandex bathing suits are likely to do well.

If you acquire a cotton/spandex bathing suit, it is easy to dye with fiber reactive dyes, such as Procion MX dyes. You can also use "Dylon Permanent" brand dye in a bucket, or "Dylon Machine Dye" in the washing machine; see "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?" at http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/washingmachine.shtml.

Do NOT use hot water dye, such as all-purpose dye! These dyes will run a little whenever they get wet, and the heat required will ruin spandex . You must acquire a high-quality dye. Avoid all brands of all-purpose dyes.

To find a company from which to buy clothing blanks (dyeable clothing) and high quality dyes, see my page listing dye suppliers around the world at http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/dyesources.shtml.

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[Updated April 7, 2008]