Name: Lenore

Country: United States

Message: What color denim (black or white) to dye to get grey denim?

Always start any dyeing project with white, whenever possible. Since dye is transparent, the original color will always show through. Any dye applied to black denim will be difficult to see at all.

Dyeing is not always the only option, though. In some cases, you can discharge (not dye) dark colors to remove them, to lighten the color. See my page on "What chemicals can be used to remove dye?". However, in some cases the dye will turn out to be one that resists all attempts at removal. It is impossible to predict whether a certain black garment can be bleached to a lighter color or not, until you try it.

Unfortunately, there is another problem with dyeing denim. The look of denim is provided by weaving together white yarns in one direction with blue yarns in another direction. The yarns must be dyed before the fabric is woven. If you dye denim, what you'll end up with is colored twill. Without the contrast between the blue warp yarns and the white weft yarns, it's not denim at all, merely twill. It's a different look. IF you could be sure that black denim would bleach out to a lighter color, then this would be preferably to dyeing, since it would maintain the denim look. In a third option, overdyeing a blue denim with gray dye will reduce the color contrast without eliminating it, providing a toned-down blue-gray twill, which might be preferable; obviously the results will be very different with a pale "acid washed" pair of jeans than with a darker starting color.

Choose your dye carefully. Make sure you are dyeing a dyeable fiber, such as 100% cotton. If you're dyeing cotton, do not use an all-purpose dye, such as Rit or Tintex, if you want the color you add to last, and to not bleed in the laundry. All-purpose dyes fade quickly and, when you wash the dyed clothing, tend to ruin anything else in the laundry. Instead, choose a fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX dye, Dylon Permanent Dye, or Tulip One Step Fashion Dye. For a single solid color, you'll get the best results by dyeing in the washing machine; see "How can I dye clothing or fabric in the washing machine?".

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